After the weirdness of 2020-2021 fashion trends with online business meetings and WFH, 2022 brings some refreshing changes you’ll love to hear about. For 60 years, the ‘latest’ fashion trends were gathered from runways and fashion magazines.
Nowadays, it is social media influencers and streetwear culture showcasing and dictating what’s cool and fresh in fashion. To a certain extent, the fashion trends of 2021 didn’t help much in the sense of inspiring the general public.
But, in contrast to the apocalyptic settings the fashion industry went through in 2020, 2022 brought to light fabulous social media-driven digital trends & aesthetic clothing, aiming to lift you up from the depths of quarantine. And, compared to the neutral looks of 2021, this year showcases fresher and bolder looks, in part driven by a need to return to ‘normal’ life and in part by the blossoming TikTok fashion culture.
Hoodies under blazers
Wearing your quarantine-staple-piece hoodie under a blazer adds an extra stylistic layer to your overall look. It works wonders with oversized, boxy blazers, but you can also get thinner hoodies to work with more tailored blazers, so you can’t mess it up no matter what.
Leggings as Pants
We’re sure you’ve heard the infamous “leggings aren’t pants” line that so many people love to say when they see someone wearing a pair of leggings with a too-short top. We partially understand this sentiment, especially with cheaper leggings that use skinny, low-quality fabric. However, with the rise of athleisure and the thick, structured leggings that have come with it, some people are arguing that they are indeed pants! Now, you can buy thicker, high-quality leggings that work great under a short dress or long top. The landscape may be better than it was for leggings fans five years ago, but this garment is still a prime target for derision.
Color blocking
Clash rainbow brights to stand out, bringing classic suiting and romantic ruffles into 2022 by mixing punch-packing pop colors with vivid greens. Color blocking is one of the most surprising ways to make a statement by pairing contrasting colors, or colors you wouldn’t usually put together, to create bold focal points.
The secret to pulling it off is sticking to simple shapes – think classic shifts, maxis, pencil skirts – and choosing shades that are the direct opposites on the color wheel. There are also many color stories happening in street style thus far that’ll blow you away.
The current fashion trends see all-over brown blended with primary and secondary colors like kelly green, fire-engine red, and Pantone’s most intense hues.
Maxies
The maxi dress style has always been one of the most versatile things a woman wears. Are they headed out on a summer night? – Throw it on with sandals and go. Are you going to a wedding? – Dress it up with jewels and heels.
Dubbed by many as a ‘baby or blanket dress’ as it fully covers the legs and can work even while chilling on the couch, the maxi of 2022 is brighter, shiny, and happiest, infused with loud colors and volume. More extensive and bolder is better, as clashing prints with wide tulle make everything seem sunnier.
Some of our favorite influencer and celebrity outfits take advantage of the color-blocking trend, and so many shades pair perfectly together.
Following are the most important fashion trends you love
Shackets
Brushed plaid “shackets” a hybrid of shirts and jackets that you love are among the current fashion trends that can be worn anywhere, any time. They’re heavier than a flannel shirt but not quite as bulky as a full-on coat and perfect if you need to run out. They also look great with most things you’re already wearing, from sweatpants to turtlenecks.
Tractor-Inspired Boots
Seemingly every designer and retailer from Balenciaga to Zara is taking cues from the humble tractor boot, which had a massive surge in the fall of 2020 and will only become more widespread next year. Characterized by an almost comically rounded toe and a thick, rugged sole, it’s among the current fashion trends that look as at home under a long dress or with a super-short skirt as it does pair with slouchy sweatpants or leggings. Consider this one of the current fashion trends worth the investment.
Puff Sleeves
Among current fashion trends, this one is made to be noticed and therefore might have been a little more fun when you were actually going out and living life, but it’s also one that looks fresh on a grocery store run, the occasional (again, safe!) outdoor dinner, or yes, over Zoom.
Boiler Suits
This one-and-done hero piece has cropped up everywhere this year, from the runway to your favorite affordable stores. It’s easy and relaxed, and it takes the stress out of picking pants and a shirt because we all have enough to think about right now. Pro tip: Layer a turtleneck underneath to make it extra seasonal.
Tiger Print
Consider this update on last year’s pervasive leopard print. This year, tiger stripes are showing up on everything from cozy knit sweaters and boxy overcoats to prim blouses and dresses in case you need a break from your sweatshirts and elastic waists.
Women’s Oversized Bomber Jackets
Bomber jackets should always rest loosely on your hip – unless you’ve opted for a slightly cropped style.
The clingy cuffs shouldn’t go past or above your wrists, no matter the fit. The cuffs should be relatively tight, so if it hangs over your hand loosely, try a smaller size. The hues, in this case, are almost always neutral, somehow empowering the underneath attire for an effortlessly chic aesthetic.
