2023 is officially winding down! The year has been eventful in more ways than one, especially in the fast-paced world of fashion. These past few months saw plenty of style trends and fashion sub-genres gain momentum on runways and social media alike. From soft-hued hyperfeminine looks to an unexpected craving about metallics, this year's sartorial landscape is refreshing, vibrant, and extremely diverse.
That said, we want to wrap up the year by looking back at the most noteworthy fashion trends that ruled 2023. Read more below!
LIST: The Biggest Fashion Trends That Dominated 2023
1. Balletcore
While ballet has been an inspiration for designers long before the term "balletcore" was coined online, the look skyrocketed to fame this year thanks to Miu Miu's popular Satin Ballerinas. From there, other designers like Simone Rocha, Zimmermann, and Sandy Liang began incorporating soft-hued pieces and fluid silhouettes into their collections as well.
It wasn't long before influential style stars also followed suit and donned ballet-esque OOTDs on social media, making the aesthetic one of the biggest search trends online.
As the name suggests, the balletcore aesthetic is associated with pieces from a ballerina's closet. We're talking tulle skirts, bodysuits, wrap-tops, knit cardigans, leg warmers, bows, and of course, ballet flats!
2. Preppy Shoes
Alongside ballet flats, other preppy shoes also took center stage this 2023. From penny loafers to bright mary janes, there was no shortage of academia shoes that took the sartorial world by storm in 2023. In particular, the pair was a common theme among the countless school girl-inspired OOTDs of Bea Alonzo, Kylie Verzosa, Pia Wurtzbach, and other local celebrities.
Meanwhile, other style stars took things a notch further and dared to team the preppy shoes with edgy pieces and dainty picks. Talk about versatility!
3. Hobo Bags
After gaining popularity in the latter half of 2022, hobo bags continued to rise in fame this year. Early comers to the trend embraced a structured hobo bag silhouette, such as Saint Laurent's Le 5 a 7, Fendi's Fendigraphy, Coperni's Swipe, and Miu Miu's Wander. Among the myriad of designs, however, Prada's Cleo was arguably the most popular among A-listers and fashion lovers alike.
Slouchy hobo bags also stepped into the spotlight during the chilly -ber months, with Givenchy's Voyou and Loewe's Puzzle Hobo Bag making rounds on the internet. Bottega Veneta also released a slew of buzz-worthy hobo bags in their signature intrecciato weave, including the Sardine Hobo and the Hop.
4. Blokette Aesthetic
Thanks to its similarity to the viral balletcore aesthetic, the blokette aesthetic also captivated many fashion enthusiasts in 2023. A fusion of athletic blokecore and the dainty coquette aesthetic, the trend combined sporty pieces such as sports jerseys, baggy pants, and vintage tracksuits with girly items like frilly dresses, lace blouses, and oversized bows. In a nutshell, it's a sartorial cross between soccer and ballet.
Even prior to its popularity on TikTok this year, however, the look was already adopted by fashion houses and international style stars. Apart from being spotted on Bella Hadid and Jennie Kim, the blokette trend also took over the Fall/Winter 2022 showcases of Miu Miu and David Koma.
5. Retro Sneakers
Without a doubt, the Adidas Samba was the it-girl sneaker of 2023. It's been 70 years since the trainer was first released as a soccer shoe, but its clean silhouette and suede panels have captured the hearts of fashion lovers all over the globe. Adidas has since released various iterations of the timeless model, even collaborating with renowned designer Wales Bonner and luxury brand Sporty & Rich to cater to the high-end market.
Other brands also came out with their own take on the retro sneaker as demand for the Samba OG grew. Some notable lookalikes are Onitsuka Tiger's Mexico 66, The Row's Owen City Sneaker, and Loewe's Flow Runner.
6. Metallics and Sequins
2023 was the year of glitzy clothes and sparkly accessories. A wide array of radiant pieces literally and figuratively dazzled the sartorial space, what with fashion houses releasing embellished versions of their signature designs and incorporating metallic hues into their latest collections. There's no such thing as too much glitter in 2023!
7. Quiet Luxury
On the filpside, there were also those who preferred to stray away from flashier designs and trendy pieces. Highlighting logo-free styles, timeless designs, and luxurious craftmanship, the "quiet luxury" or "old rich" aesthetic was a hot topic for the new generation. Think ultra-luxe cashmere sweaters, classic leather bags, and tailored trousers that evoke subtle opulence without outwardly flaunting their steep price tags.
8."No Pants" Trend
According to the Spring/Summer 2023 runway shows of Bottega Veneta, Coperni, and other major fashion houses, it's totally okay to leave home without any pants! Stylish celebs like Bianca Umali, Kathryn Bernardo, and Andrea Brillantes have been ditching their trousers in favor of oversized tops and high-cut shoes.
If the completely pant-less look is too risque for your taste, you can also opt for a cute pair of bloomers or boxer shorts to ease yourself into the trend.
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