The Future of Fashion
Written by Reagan Roper
Have you ever wondered what everyone is going to be wearing in the next couple of years? If you have, you’re not alone. With the help of WGSN, I did some research to see what fashion might look like in the future. I compiled a list of clothing and accessories that we can expect to see in the near future.
With fall coming up, you’ve most likely already dreamed of wearing your favorite hoodie or leggings every day. However, if you like the idea of staying ahead of trends and wearing something new, here are some clothing items you will see in Autumn/Winter of ‘22-’23.
Fleece garments will continue to be a staple in womenswear because of the warmth it creates, but we can expect to see newer pieces like wide-sleeved jackets in all kinds of material — denim, corduroy, knit, etc. Speaking of knit pieces, knit dresses will be a big hit in the fall/winter season next year because of their functionality and warmth.
As for pants, cargo pants will be worn quite often as well as printed jeans. We’ve already started to see printed jeans make their way to the fashion world but next year we will see unlimited patterns and colors on our denim. Pull-on skirts will be a big part of outfits because of their simplicity and elegance. Although there will be plenty of new trends that arise, older trends circle back around about every 20 years, so in 2022 and 2023 we can expect to see more party prints like you would see in the 1920s; glitter, glitz and Gatsby. As far as accessories go, padded headscarves and plush hats will be essential to keep your ears and face warm.
As far as menswear goes, classic fall colors will be popular in the upcoming years. Colors like burnt orange, faded yellows and earthy greens. Cardigans will be introduced more into men’s wardrobes, and I’m here for it. Utility trucker jackets and outerwear with lots of pockets for functionality will be a big part of streetwear and will be relied on for the winter. Moving onto pants, carpenter pants are similar to denim with lots of detail and pockets so they can be worn for many occasions. They’re convenient when working (or for trying to portray the look of working). The men’s trousers are also here to stay and not just the plain black or blue trousers. Trousers with linework and essential colors will be a big part of Fall 22/23. We will also continue to see chain necklaces, chained bracelets and bulky rings for accessories to accentuate these beautiful garments being worn next year.
As much as everyone loves fall and fall fashion, it doesn’t last forever, so I went ahead and looked on WGSN for Spring/Summer fashion of 2023. For womenswear, the rise of sustainability continues with long-lasting fabrics, simplicity and self-cleaning fabrics. You may be thinking, “what is a self-cleaning fabric?” Self-cleaning fabrics have the ability to get rid of odor and dirt over time with exposure to sunlight, pretty cool right? That sounds like future fashion to me. The colors of 2023 during the spring and summer will focus on neutral and earthy tones like vintage peach, green, and faded pinks. We have also been introduced to a new concept called ‘two-in-one’ or ‘hybrid’ products. It can be any combination of fabrics or clothing, for instance a jacket that has cotton on the top half and denim on the bottom half. Logos will also be smaller and cleaner, so if you were never a fan of flashy logos, this trend is for you. We will also see lots of gender-inclusive designs and new sizing standards along with flashy prints like animal and child-like prints like flowers and mix-match.
Menswear for Spring/Summer 2023 will include bright colors like hyper pastels including yellows, lavender, and orange. However, the punk trend will continue to thrive so keep your favorite black clothing! We will also see people pairing athletic wear with non-athletic wear simply for the aesthetic. Another aesthetic we will be seeing is outdoor wear—think hiking and utility pants but not for practical purposes. It will cater towards the sustainable, earthy side of fashion. Although logos for womenswear will be smaller, they will still be flashy in menswear but mainly for authentic and local brands from NY and LA. Because womenswear has a huge impact on the future of menswear, soft glam will be a trend soon, so stock up on silk and sparkle. As far as graphics go, the childhood prints will be present in menswear too as well as ombre and distorted dyes.
Fashion is constantly changing and so are people, we impact fashion as much as it impacts us. What trends are you looking forward to making your own?