2024 Fashion Predictions

Well, it's finally here. 2023 was a scarily big number, now that 4 is finally making it worse. But that's not necessarily a bad thing, one positive is that new fashion trends are just waiting to bubble up again. Speaking of, I have a few predictions I've seen cropping up again and again that I find might become à la mode. So either watch out or get excited because here they come! 

First off, I'd like to preface and say that these are just harmless predictions. Some won't happen, and most won't - but there is a chance that at least one will. So don't get too bummed if all of these look hideous to you! (because most do to me, yawn) 

Silver sequin shirts, metallic gold shirts, glittering heels, dresses and handbags seen first in HELLO! Fashion Monthly (December 2023 issue) is starting to look eerily familiar to the likes of 1960s Space Age futurism. 

Even just the simple cover photo of model, Fadhi Mohamed screams METAL IS IN. A magpie would surely be happy now. 

Space Age Futurism was started in the early 1960s by designer,André Courrèges, and began to slowly popularise with its peak in the late 1960s. While, most of his designs include wacky silhouettes, strange headgear and glasses, there is undeniably a striking match to some of the later futuristic wear of other Space Age Fashionistas. 

Space Age Bathing suit, 1968. Designer: Unknown. 

While maybe the more wacky, and unconventional futuristic elements may be being left behind, there is an undeniable fact that strange silhouettes, shapes and materials are beginning to be thought about in fashion spheres. 

Women's Chain-disc mini-dress by Paca Rabanne. Being sold for a whopping: £2,760.00!!?

Photo of Peggy Moffitt. Date estimated 1967, and photographer Unknown.

One cannot deny the similarities between some of the Space Age, reflective, outsider fashion that was popular in the late 1960s. I think, as well, silver vinyl fabrics or faux leather fabrics will re-surge too similar to those of Pierre Cardin. 

We already know well of the 'coquette' aesthetic surging around apps like Tiktok and Pinterest at the moment. The Hyper-Feminine, Age-Regressing, as American as apple pie style that parades itself in red Lolita gingham playsuits, heart lollipops, Lana Del Rey Born to Die Vinyl, bows and frills has been splattered over everyone's feeds in all its cherry lip gloss glory. Despite its controversial history and undertones of romantisization of abusive relationships and unhealthy coping mechanisms it has become a favoured aesthetic that has everyone awaiting summer with open arms and popping lemonade. Although, while it will continue to have its moment, it will also affect the surrounding aesthetics and mainstream fashions and continue to make them more feminine. Even masculine fashions I predict will have a slight feminine touch as more men have become comfortable with wearing eye shadow, lip gloss, and mascara. More jewellery on men in general I believe will grow. More men will get their ears pierced and more will brightly paint their nails. 

I think girlhood will continue to be at the front of every woman's mind as infantilisation via internet continues as well. I believe pink, purple, light greens, and picnics outside will become more popular and we will soon see runways with models strutting in white babydoll dresses lined with pink frills. 

Poofy skirts will be more popular like the work of Giambattista Valli with bottom heavy apple-shaped silhouettes take centre stage.Like those seen on Ariana Grande during the 2020 Grammy awards, though a little less frivolous and a little more practical. 

 In contrast, I think another possibility could - again - be the resurgence of the babydoll dress since 2020, and even before then in the Kinderwhore scene of the 1990s. Although I believe the babydoll dress will regain its association with cleanliness, purity and innocence as the culture will leave Courtney Love and Kat Bjelland behind us. The slim look will be popular, dresses being made resembling the high-class, expensive yet simple designs of Alessandra Rich. 

BAGS, BAGS, BAGS. An inescapable love for small, ornamented handbags is an undeniable trend currently going forward. Already we see the love for small details in certain bags (like small beads, extra pockets made for specific practical things, silver and gold beads or accents) and I feel like along with the love for small details, a love of small bags will soon follow

Although, on the other hand, I also feel like LARGE bags may become the norm. As more people dress impractically - with large poofy dresses, metallic suits and dresses that have no material or space for pockets, there will be a rise in large, practical bag purchases and therefore a trend. As the populace continues to see a Kardashian or a Jenner sporting something new and fashionable, it inevitably circles into the trends cycle. Likewise, we have seen the likes of Kim sporting such large, capacious bags. 

Kim Kardashian with her larger than life grey, Burkin bag. 

Wealth is a theme that is consistently running through trends at the moment.Even in the subtle ways like that £61 Drunk Elephant serum sneaking its way into your medicine cabinet, or brand names have caught everyone eyes - despite their shady practices and animal mistreatment - I think that smaller displays of wealth along with brand names will once again be fashionable. One specific trend I see constantly is pearls. 

Like those wrapped around our grandmothers necks, or those slithered around Betty White's, pearls have once again become a staple for neckwear along with favourable detailing on earrings, dresses, handbags, shoes, and glasses. The white elegant pearl would also aline well with the hyper-feminine prediction. 

Along with pearls as fashionable jewellery, I believe more people will begin mixing both silver and gold on their person. Before this would have been a fashion faux pas as only one will match your skin tone, however, I think more people will begin to experiment and will load on the metal like previously spoken about.  

LESS IS MORE! screams the prevailing trend of minimalism in fashion and house decor. Recent make-up trends have already been clear in stating minimalistic, natural-esque make up is our go to for the trendy look: light, yet smooth foundation (or non at all) light mascara and light eye makeup. However, watching recent magazines and other medias, I have seen an influx of vibrant minimalism. Once again mirroring the bright, bold mod looks of the 1960s, there has been make-up looks consisting of bright pinks under the eye swooping out, blue spherical shapes around the eyes reminiscent of Priscilla Presley. Make-up artist, Anna Inglis, coins the term for her recent work in the HELLO! Fashion Monthly magazine. 

Speaking of make-up, I think there will be a resurged popularity in bright red lipsticks, or bright gloomy mauve lip liner looks to really bring the small bits of colour around the face. 

And that's all my personal predictions for 2024! 

This article has lots of help from HELLO! Fashion Monthly's December 2023 issue for photographs and references.