7 Fashion Trends That Will Take Over 2023 — Shop Them Now

Wiederhoeft, Fall 2023, New York, Feb 15 2023

Six months after the spring runway collections made a case for all we should expect in the new year, 2023’s biggest fashion trends have started making their way into the stores. What should we be buying?

This year, trends are taking a turn for utilitarian with cargo pants, denim, and wearable silhouettes all endorsed by the 2023 shows. That’s not to say that this year will be boring style-wise. Dramatic hem lengths and silver metallics are still part of the sartorial picture, albeit in more practical iterations than ever before, making it easier to stick to your capsule closet NYE resolution. In terms of color, 2023 may finally wave trendy hot pink goodbye, making way for new, exciting hues, though don’t expect it to be all about Pantone’s color of the year Viva Magenta.

Ahead, seven 2023 fashion trends to add to your shopping list now and all year.

2023 Fashion Trend: Red

TORY BURCH FW23 NEW YORK FASHION WEEK 02/13/2023

Glossy red hues took over the Fall 2023 runways ranging from Sandy Liang and PatBo to Tory Burch and Wiederhoeft. Think: Juicy reds with vibrant orange undertones that would look just as good in head-to-toe looks (see: a pantsuit) as accent accessory pieces (shoes, handbags, jewelry).

2023 Fashion Trend: Cargo Pants

Utilitarian wear is in for 2023, which sets the stage for the return of the cargo pant. But these aren’t the shapeless, low-rise pants of the Y2K era. For spring, this trend is translated into tailored silhouettes, interesting pocket placements, elevated fabrics like silk and organza, and colors that go beyond khaki and olive.

2023 Fashion Trend: Sheer Clothing

“Bare it all” has been the motto since the end of the lockdown. In 2023, naked dressing makes its way from the red carpet – where celebrities like Cher and Rihanna have been sporting the trend forever – to street style. From a cellophane-like dress, worn over a boldly hued maxi skirt at Tory Burch’s spring 2023 show, to a frothy frock revealing undergarments at Victoria Beckham, the previously risqué trend is coming not only for your weekend wardrobe but even workwear.

2023 Fashion Trend: Denim Reimagined

From double-waisted jeans to carpenter jeans, it’s been a while since we were this excited about denim trends. It seems like even the most luxe runway designers agree, sending out strapless dresses, shirting, and even undergarments and shoes (thigh-high-boot-jean hybrids anyone?) in the material. Whatever category you decide on, opt for timeless cuts and silhouettes that can stay in your closet rotation once the novelty wears off.

2023 Fashion Trend: Shine For The Daytime

The amount of shine on the 2023 runways would make you think we are back in the Roaring ’20s. While sequins may feel over as soon as the clock strikes midnight on January 31, this year, designers are making a case for “daytime shine” – wearable separates that can spice up even the most basic staples like tank tops (see above) and blue jeans. While this trend comes in all metallic shades (gold, bronze, rose gold etc.), we are partial to the liquid silver look that can double as a neutral.

2023 Fashion Trend: Maxi Skirts

In response to the ultra unpractical mini skirts of 2022, maxi skirts are here to dominate the year. In line with the aforementioned cargo and denim trends, expect lots of low-rise, pocket-adorned silhouettes and floor-grazing jean skirts, as well as styles in various prints and unexpected materials like velvet. Long live long hemlines!

2023 Fashion Trend: Cobalt Blue

The strongest color story to come out of Spring 2023 runways, cobalt blue has burst through the collections with the freshness of a sea mist on a morning day. Just bright enough to warrant a double take, yet subtle enough to be worked into daily wear, it’s the type of deep blue that will excite even the most color-averse. Bonus points: It pairs well with Pantone’s Viva Magenta.

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The Brooch Renaissance Is Here

A few months ago, I found myself gasping at the sight of a Yves Saint Laurent logo brooch on Pinterest. Styled with a navy wool coat and an oversized striped shirt, the brooch looked nothing like the ones I grew up seeing in the baptist church I attended, where flora and fauna-shaped brooches were as customary as a Bible. Somehow, this one captivated me: Not only did it bear the initials of my favorite luxury brand, but it added just the right amount of accessorizing to an outfit I would have otherwise worn sans jewelry. 

It seems I’m not alone in reconsidering the brooch as a must-have modern accessory. According to The RealReal’s 2023 luxury consignment report, demand for brooches was up 27% during the 2022 holiday season, while pins from Gucci were up by 70%. On TikTok, creators are discussing the sartorial possibilities of brooches, beyond regal, bedazzled versions worthy of an appearance on The Crown, with the hashtag #brooch gathering over 100 million hits. They’re also popping up on the runway: Take, for example, Jil Sander’s spring 2023 collection, which included silver pins worn on oversized, simple shirts, while Acne’s lineup featured ribbon pins worn as nipple covers, hinting at the DIY nature of today’s balletcore and kitschy “Weird Girl” aesthetics. Most recently, Gucci also included modernized brooches in its fall 2023 collection: A bright blue sleeveless turtleneck was made bolder with draped pearl strings that closed up in a diamond-encrusted brooch, while a Gucci logo pin was worn over a classic fur coat. 

The need to suddenly rethink our accessories stems from a bigger phenomenon. Take a look at New York Fashion Week, where the concept of the season seems to be the uniform. Composed of capsule wardrobes, workwear staples, and mix-and-match basics, the runways were more in tune with a minimalist approach than the exuberant fashion we’ve become accustomed to seeing over the past few years. The lineups have left many wondering if there’s room for maximalism in this vibe shift, especially after recent red carpets have seen celebrities ditching predictable accessories, specifically necklaces, altogether. 

But it’s worth noting that the red carpet does seem to be making an exception for brooches. At the 2023 Grammy Awards, musician Steve Lacy wore a diamond-encrusted brooch with a dangling pearl, paired with a black Saint Laurent suit, while Italian influencer Chiara Ferragni donned a gold bird-shaped pin by Schiaparelli at the 2023 Sanremo Festival. Olivia Wilde also sported a black rosette pin at the Babylon premiere back in December 2022, while Michelle Williams donned a red rose one to the 2023 AFI Awards, styled with a black blazer dress. One of the biggest fashion moments of 2023 so far also included brooches. When Rihanna stepped onto the Super Bowl halftime show stage in a red bodysuit and jacket, a cluster of bling shone brighter than a diamond in the form of three vintage Joseph Saidian & Sons brooches hanging from the lapel. 

While their renaissance is happening quickly, brooches are still associated with traditional formalwear, from royal fashion — everyone from the late Queen Elizabeth II to Meghan Markle have worn a brooch at some point — as well as Upper East Side grandmothers, like Gossip Girl’s Cece Rhodes. But perhaps they had the right idea all along: Even in their blingiest state, brooches and pins can offer a good dose of accessorizing that requires little styling.

The good thing about this trend is that there’s a vast range of sources to choose from, whether raiding your grandmother’s jewelry closet (please, ask in advance) or heading into the vintage market for secondhand brooches. There’s also the possibility of just making one yourself. In a recent controversial, viral TikTok video by creator Madeleine White – which saw her cutting up a Prada jumpsuit into a micro two-piece set which she wore to the brand’s fall 2023 show – she also fashioned a paper, makeshift flower brooch from the show invitation. In a less committal way of trying out the trend, there’s always the possibility of using small earrings as brooches as well (just be mindful of the fabric before pinning them). 

As we enter an era of recession-fueled fashion, marked by minimalism, classic silhouettes, and everyday wardrobe essentials, brooches suggest we get to have a little bling… as a treat. 

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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