by Carrie Murphy
The new year has started with a bang. In 2022, people are saying “good riddance” to 2021 and starting their plans for the months ahead. With any other year, companies and influencers are lining up with what styles will be the most popular in 2022. But as omicron surges and times get less precedent, current events seem to be creeping into everything in our lives, even the way that we dress. Now more than ever, people are using fashion as an imperative means of expression, focusing less on what’s “on trend” and more on what they legitimately want to wear. The ability to be carefree when it comes to style is becoming more popular by the season, and what people are predicting to be trendy reflects that.
In the third year of a grueling pandemic, people are getting restless. After a collective trauma, the population are starting to look for comfort in their own closets. There’s a widespread drive for human connection, and that drive overpowers the standard of dressing in conforming styles. Past trends that centered neutral colors and basic fabrics have been replaced with bold, bright patterns. People are returning to their own vision of their style instead of copying others. With all this time spent inside, the need for external validation has decreased. Expect to see unconventional colors, voluminous pieces (think puffed sleeves), and the mixing of unconventional patterns. Despite surrealism becoming more popular, the comfort of clothes worn at home are becoming more common in everyday life. Sweats, bra tops, and cozy clothes, in general, have become better options for any occasion, not just for chilling at home. Also, casual workwear rises in popularity, over a desire to return to the workplace.
Despite fashion freedom rising in popularity, the pandemic is still raging, and people are still required to take precautions to keep themselves safe. To combat this, hygienic accessories offer a way to stay stylish and safe. Dress gloves have made a comeback to offer an Old Hollywood look, and the variety of masks have grown to fit anyone’s personal style. 2022 is set on mixing the avant-garde with the utilitarian, bringing happiness into the growing anxiety of current events.
To offer comfort and escapism in these times, nostalgia is rising through aesthetics. The Y2K era has made a huge return, popularized by reboots and pop stars such as Olivia Rodrigo. Despite some 2000s trends having fleeting comebacks, pieces such as low rise jeans and smaller sunglasses have been modernized, and are presumed to be mainstays. With shows such as Bridgerton and The Great, ballroom looks of the 17th century are given new lives, returning as the regencycore aesthetic. Obviously, walking around in a gown that looks straight out of Jane Austen isn’t the best move. To integrate a royal look into your daily life, try integrating pearls in your outfits, or consider investing in a corset top. And despite the popularity of these pieces, now’s the best time to NOT follow trends! With the rise of aesthetics, there’s less of a need to conform to what’s in style. Whether you dress like a pin-up or a vampire, there’s a community that you can embrace.
Fashion will consistently be a way for people to express themselves and connect with others, no matter what the state of the world is in. However, it’s important to be mindful of what you’re wearing. Websites such as Shein and Zara use tons of waste to make their clothes every year, and their employees work in terrible conditions with little pay. Obviously, the majority of people can’t afford to stock their closets with expensive clothes. But if you can, pay more attention to where your clothes come from. If you shell out extra to buy better quality clothing from more ethical sources, your clothes are bound to last longer. Make sure to never take what’s on-trend too seriously. If you find something fashionable, great! Just don’t worry too much about if your clothing is popular, or you might be throwing out perfectly good items. Style is such an incredible way to show your true self, and this year is bound to be no different.