We're Picky Fashion Editors—5 "Dated" Trends We’re Leaving Behind in 2024
At Who What Wear UK, we don't really subscribe to the notion of something being "in" or "out". If you like a trend or a particular item of clothing, there's merit in that, and we would never want to make you think otherwise. And whilst we do our best to guide our readers to fresh fashion and new trend developments, we always implore you to decide for yourself whether or not it's something you want to add to your wardrobe. Still, that doesn't mean our editors (myself included) don't have their own opinions on such matters. When it comes to our individual tastes, some trends hit the mark and others we deliberately swerve, because blindly following fads is, thankfully, a thing of the past!
So, as we find closer and closer to the autumn season, in the interest of understanding what's making our editors tick right now, I thought I'd ask them which trends they're excited to get involved with versus the ones they're happy to sit out on. Like I said, this is personal opinion—please don't take it to heart if an editor isn't as into a specific aesthetic as you are! We run a fashion democracy here.
So, scroll on to see which 2024 fashion trends our editors are wearing, and perhaps more interestingly, which they're not.
5 Trends That Feel "Dated" for Autumn 2024
1. Swerving: Neutral Trainers
Wearing: Colourful Trainers
"Whilst there will always be a place for neutral, go-with-everything trainers in my wardrobe, I won't be investing in any plain styles this year," says Who What Wear UK's managing editor Poppy Nash.
"For autumn 2024 I'm all about making a statement with my footwear. I've been seeing brightly coloured kicks all over my TikTok fyp and Instagram feed lately, which has inspired me to use my bright trainers to make my outfits feel more 'fashion' this season. I'm eyeing Gola's in particular but Adidas is also a choice you won't regret," says Nash.
Shop the Trend:
These currently have full stock—go, go, go!
The viral green colourway in stock? Miracles do happen.
2. Swerving: Denim Jackets
Wearing: Faux-Fur Jackets
"This year, I want my outfits to feel more fabulous—that means making tough but necessary switches here and there. And first up? I'm going to pause on denim jackets, which can look a little casual, and, in their place, going all out with faux fur," says fashion editor Remy Farrell.
"In place of coats, I'm seeing lots of faux-fur jackets on the market, which look so glossy with loose jeans, tailored skirts, wide-leg trousers… you name it. If I had to sum up my 2024 aesthetic, this buy would be it," says Farrell.
Shop the Trend:
I'm picturing this with blue jeans and chocolate brown shoes.
3. Swerving: Dainty Layered Necklaces
Wearing: Tennis Necklaces
"This is by no means gospel, but lately I've found myself moving away from the layered necklaces I used to wear daily, and instead have been seeking out chunkier, more statement styles that add gravitas to basic outfits," says editor-in-chief Hannah Almassi.
"For Christmas, I finally got my hands on Daphine's cult Chris tennis necklace, and it's been making my outfits vastly chicer ever since. It adds just the right amount of sparkle and weight to make my looks feel so much fresher. Of course, I'll likely revisit my dainty jewels in 2025, but for now, tennis necklaces have my heart," confirms Almassi.
Shop the Trend:
COS serves up its own take on the trend with a half metal, half gemstone style.
4. Swerving: Crossbody Bags
Wearing: Top-Handle Bags
I've always been an old soul, drawn to grown-up things from an early age—I remember wearing trench coats in my teens as opposed to the faux-fur-trimmed puffers my friends loved. Anyway, things haven't changed much, and for autumn 2024, I'm looking to invest in a particularly granny-like bag: a top-handle.
Top-handle bags have always been elegant in my book, but right now they feel cooler, too, coming in a host of on-trend colours and finishes, from espresso suede to Bottega Veneta's signature woven leather. This is a bag style that never dates, and (if you ask me) it looks tenfold more sophisticated than the crossbody I've been wearing for 10 months straight. Time for a change.
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5. Swerving: Fringing
Wearing: Bows
"Fringing may be a key trend on the S/S 24 runways, but for me, fashion will always come down to wearability. I can just see myself getting long fringing caught in cab doors, and don't even get me started on the subsequent pitfalls one might encounter when wearing them on a night out. So, I'm continuing to put my faith in bows," says news writer Natalie Munro.
"Bows have been around as a microtrend for a while now, and whether or not this continues into 2024, personally, I'm sold. Pretty and nostalgic, they have the power to completely change the mood of an outfit. Plus, they feed into the coquette aesthetic, which I'm also very into this season," says Munro.
Shop the Trend:
Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.
Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.
Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.
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