The 2023 Trends We’re Leaving Behind — And a Few That Will Stick Around
Shannon Adducci
Style Director
With 2023 nearly a wrap, there’s plenty of trend forecasting and speculation on what the top trends will be for 2024.
But aside from new trends, a big part of the calculation of what fashion will look like in the future also involves what will NOT make it into the new year. For every new trend that pops up — a color, a denim cut, a shoe style, a silhouette — another falls away.
2023 was a year still in transition, sartorially speaking. Many found themselves still questioning what to wear, both in everyday life and special occasions. And as post-pandemic “revenge dressing” fell away and a shaky economy began to course through the collective mindset, the focus turned to building a wardrobe of stoic classics — and so the idea of “quiet luxury” was reborn, particularly for the fall ’23 season.
A focus on those neutral classics will carry through to 2024, as will pieces like the slingback kitten heel, the baggy jean, and what is now being called “officecore” or “business core” — think classic white shirts, neckties, trench coats and classic leather boots — a trend that is also adjacent to quiet luxury.
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Below, six of the trends that will not make it into 2024.
1. A failed stiletto reboot
With a newfound focus on classic — with a heavy dose of economic anxiety-induced stoicism — many designers turned their focus on the classic stiletto pump. Some even gave it a severe look, with the combination of an ultra-pointed and elongated toes and slick stiletto heel. But spring ’24’s collections tell a different story, focusing on crowd pleasers such as the kitten heel slingback, ballet flats and even the quick return of the footbed sandal. And so, this foot pain inducing stiletto trend failed to fully launch — for the sake of everyone’s feet.
2. Barbiecore
It was only months ago that Margot Robbie was unveiling new (mostly) pink looks on the red carpet for the worldwide premiere of “Barbie” in July. But the Barbiecore aesthetic — distilled down to a focus on the doll’s signature hot pink hue — goes even further back, to the Women’s March of 2017 and its homemade pink pussyhat. While there are plenty of philosophical reasons for the hot pink hue retreating (a post-Roe v. Wade reality; a Gen Z-fueled distaste for feminism), after more than six years in the spotlight, the trend has also fully run its course as the color of choice.
3. Skinny jeans — again
The old chestnut that Millennials cannot part with their skinny jeans (or side parts) still creates debate on social media, but the resounding message season after season recently is that the skinny jean is not the silhouette of the moment. While denim brands claim they will always carry the style for their customers, spring ’24 collections continue to focus on a more relaxed style, from wide legs and flares (minus the low waists this time) to baggy boyfriend styles, relaxed but tailored classics and cargo shapes. The shift from skinny to relaxed has also fully made its way to the men’s market, too. Millennials, the time has come.
4. Sneakers at weddings — and with suits
The definitive look of the ’10s is making its way out. While sneakers still dominate footwear, the shoe is retreating from its once-novel styling with a suit, a look that became a modern go-to for many who needed to dress up but felt too formal in a dress shoe. It became an edgy way to wear a suit, and plenty of grooms and wedding attendees latched onto the idea, for many years. But in 2024, the already fading trend might very well get the final boot, as suit wearers look back at dress shoes (and even dressier mule styles) for special occasions.
5. Gimmicky Western boots
There will always be a space for Swifties, but the white Western boot will likely show itself the door at the end of this year. Instead, Western shapes and styles will come with more subtlety and less obvious styling. Think a pair of black Western boots or Cuban heels worn underneath a wide leg pant, instead of with a mini skirt.
6. Super chunky soles and clogs
Styles like the combat boot, the chunky loafer and the platform have all contributed to a larger footwear profile that can at times read a bit like clown shoes. For spring ’24, all of the above are getting a more streamlined shape.
About the author:
Shannon Adducci is the Style Director at FN, reporting on runway and fashion weeks, trends, celebrity style and fashion’s role in pop culture, diversity and inclusion, sustainability, gender identity and women’s equity issues. She also directs FN’s cover shoots and visual packages, contributing to the publication’s video direction. Prior to Footwear News, Shannon held positions at Departures, Billboard and Modern Luxury, was a celebrity stylist and specialized in fine and estate jewelry. She is an avid collector of vintage fashion, shoes and jewelry.
