I'm a Shopping Expert—These Are the Only Trends Worth Investing in for 2023

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Courtesy The Row, Daniele Oberrauch Courtesy Tibi / GoRunway, Courtesy Boss

There was once a time when suits were considered to be the stuffy formalwear only reserved for the office, but thanks to '80s power dressing, '90s simplicity, and 2010s androgyny, the casual suit is a reinvented classic. Now best worn oversized and slouchy (even with flip flops!), the runways were full of stripped-back, clean looks incorporating blazers, skirts and loose trousers, put together in business/casual layers. 

Photo:

@modedamour

Style Notes: Less is always more when it comes to nailing this effortlessly elegant look. Scale back on accessories and stick to a base of oversized shirts, structured blazers and pleated trousers (we find wide legs the most universally flattering).  

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Daniele Oberrauch Courtesy Tibi / GoRunway, Courtesy Deveaux, Alessandro Lucioni / launchmetrics.com/spotlig Courtesy Dries Van Noten

Every season, there is a colour trend that storms the runways, dominates street style and filters down to the high street, and if your eyes have recovered from the neon Piccoli pink that spawned Barbiecore, here's a palette cleanser. Refreshing pastels paired with grounding greens and browns were the unexpected, breakout colour trend of S/S 23. Easy to re-create but with some serious payoff, take notes from Tibi, Dries Van Noten and Deveaux by layering up sweet shades of pink, yellow and sky blue and incorporating one darker tone of sage, teal, burgundy or navy.

Photo:

@monikh

Style Notes: A chilly winter and a cool spring are the best time to make the most of layering pieces, so work with colours in a similar palette (think pinks and reds; blues and greens; oranges and browns) and add an unexpected pop in the form of a long coat, leather bag or statement boot. 

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ALDOCASTOLDI Courtesy Fendi, luca tombolini Courtesy Coperni, Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com Courtesy Isabel Marant

Just when we thought we'd seen the last of the Y2K trends, cargo pants came back onto the scene, and now they're bringing the utility jacket with them. Pockets, khaki, and well, more pockets, are the key details of the safari-meets-workwear look that was shown everywhere from Fendi to Coperni. And if you stocked up on one of last spring/summer's key pieces, the white tank top, it's the perfect accompaniment to the baggy, low-slung cargo trousers. Less '90s Spice Girl and more naughties AllSaints. 

Photo:

@greceghanem

Style Notes: Judging by how the street style set has embraced the cargo trouser with gusto, there are chicer ways to wear utility than you might initially expect. If head-to-toe khaki isn't quite your style, try pairing an understated trouser with your favourite knit and dressed up with a heel a la Grece Ghanem. It's the easiest way to nod to the trend without having to compromise your personal style.  

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Alberto Maddaloni Courtesy Christian Wijnants, Courtesy Bally, Valerio Mezzanotti Courtesy Del Core

If 2022 was the year of the miniskirt, 2023 presents the antithesis: the ankle-grazing—or even floor-skimming—maxi hem. Always chic and with maximum impact, the maxi is the casual style we wear all summer and the dressy evening piece for party season too, so whether you opt for an everyday jersey dress for a sleek party piece, the longer the hemline the better. 

Photo:

@lucywilliams02

Style Notes: The key to the maxi dress is its versatility, and the same dress can be styled drastically differently from day to night. Wear a simple cotton maxi with chunky loafers and a jacket for lunch, and then swap for mules, drop earrings and a mini baguette for dinner. Dressing doesn't get easier. 

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Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com Courtesy Alaia, Alberto Maddaloni Courtesy Bally, Courtesy Awake Mode

After the 2022 runways tried to relentlessly convince us that we should be wearing low-slung, supersized, distressed denim, a more wearable trend (thankfully) emerges for 2023. This is denim for after-dark—polished, embellished and accessorised with plenty of sparkle. The key pieces are tailored shirts, straight-leg jeans and even longline dresses. Wear head- to-toe with simple heels and crystal jewellery and enjoy an evening look that champions comfort first.

Photo:

@sarahlouiseblythe

Style Notes: Look out for denim with details as well as the perfect fit. Feathers, crystals, and leg-lengthening shapes make the most of this look, and when paired with razor-sharp heels, this is a look strong enough to rival the LBD (that's long black dress). 

Photo:

Copyright - Chris Yates - All rights Reserved. Courtesy 16Arlington, Courtesy Khaite, Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com Courtesy Alaia

Print trends are always divisive, as the more minimally inclined prefer to opt for something a little more subtle, but no one can deny that every year there is guaranteed to be an animal-print trend that crops up just about everywhere, and 2023 is the turn of snake print. Leopard print is timeless, and zebra had a moment last year thanks to a couple of viral pieces, so it seems only fitting that there's a new king of the jungle making its presence felt. From 16Arlington's pastel print to Alaïa's second skin, the snake print is the new one to watch. 

Photo:

@alexisbadiyi

 

Style Notes: As with any print trend, the options are endless. You can, of course, opt for a full look, but the wearable answer is to break it down into pops of print. A snake print bag is the point of interest an all-black look needs, a snake-print boot is an ideal shoe choice for a white tee and blue jeans, and up the cool factor of a simple knit dress by adding a glossy snake-print coat.