7 Surprising Trends That TikTok Has Declared "Dated" in 2023

At Who What Wear UK we like to pride ourselves on the fact that we not only bring you the latest trends, but we manage to keep one step ahead of them, too. Barbiecore? You heard it here first. The micro mini? We knew how to style it. The Y2K revival? It practically happened here. And one way we manage to uncover the biggest fashion trends before they hit the high street is by scouring the net to find fashion's next hot topic. Instagram and Pinterest are perfect for cataloguing outfit inspiration and saving our favourite pieces, but when it comes to finding out what the next generation are wearing now, we immediately head to TikTok for some Gen Z insight, and it never disappoints. 

2022 was the year that TikTokcore took over and we were hotly debating whether we were coastal cowgirls or regencycore stans, and in 2023 (if you know your tomato girl from your mermaidcore) the internet is a hotbed for a new breed of sub-trends guaranteed to filter into our collective consciousness. So, what tips can we take from TikTok this season? In short, it's a very mixed bag.

From slacker jeans to maximalist colour palettes, TikTok is celebrating exuberant, anti-trend style over cookie-cutter uniforms—an ethos we're more than happy to introduce into our own wardrobes. Be warned though, whilst the algorithm can send plenty of fresh inspiration your way, it can also be subjective. You may be surprised to find some of your favourite styles in the "dated" pile right now, but I have a sneaking suspicion that, as with all of fashion's peaks and troughs, they'll invariably come back into favour.

Looking for the latest styles to inspire your look in a trend-forward way? Step right up. These are the seven fashion trends TikTok has declared "dated" right now, and the seven its users really rate.

DATED: MOM JEANS 

RATED: WIDE-LEG JEANS

Style Notes: It's been a big year for denim—quite literally—and the general consensus is that 2023 is all about turning up the volume on your favourite pair of jeans. According to TikTok, mom jeans are now on the miss list. The high-waisted, tapered leg is the antithesis of the low-slung, baggy shapes popping up everywhere from the Balenciaga runway to Bella Hadid's street style. This laidback, ultra-cool jeans style is best worn with one of summer's most standout and easiest to style trends—the humble tank top.

SHOP WIDE-LEG JEANS:

DATED: MATCHY-MATCHY 

RATED: WRONG-SHOE THEORY

Style Notes: If, like me, you're the kind of person to assemble the perfect outfit and then agonise over which shoes to wear with it, TikTok has solved all of your problems. Matching your shoes to your look is officially "out", and social media's best dressed are now subscribing to the "wrong-shoe theory", pairing casual outfits with dressy heels, pretty dresses with sporty sneakers and smart tailoring with relaxed sandals. It sounds so wrong, but trust me, it actually makes perfect sense in practice. 

SHOP "WRONG" SHOES:

DATED: GOLD 

RATED: SILVER 

Style Notes: Though it pains me to say it, gold is apparently, well, old. And whilst I won't be getting rid of my faithful hoops just yet, there is a convincing argument for putting silver in first place. From jewellery to ready-to-wear, silver is everywhere right now, and the sleek metallic hue manages to be easily dressed up and down in a way that gold can't quite pull off. Expect to see much more of this cool chrome finish over the next 12 months, but especially on TikTok.

SHOP SILVER:

DATED: DENIM SHORTS 

RATED: BOXER SHORTS

Style Notes: I'm more than happy to advocate for any trend that celebrates comfort first, and if we learned anything from Kendall Jenner's recent "no pants" looks, it's that getting fully dressed is overrated. Cool girls are shelving denim hot pants and opting for men's-style boxers this summer, and this no-frills, no-iron trend is about as casual as it gets, so the next time you're wondering what to wear for weekend errands, leave your trousers at home. 

SHOP BOXER SHORTS:

DATED: PARED-BACK MINIMALISM

RATED: DARE TO BE DIFFERENT

Style Notes: Now, before I lose all the devoted fans of The Row, there is still a time and a place for versatile staples, but TikTok is making a case for embracing the joy in dressing up in a variety of different aesthetics all at once. Who amongst us can say we weren't a little intrigued by the coastal grandmother look? Or googled cluttercore? There's something to be said for stepping out of the box and trying a new look that shakes up our everyday wardrobes. If you'd still rather retreat to the safety of your blazer and boots, there's the old money aesthetic for a polished take on your luxe separates. There really is a tribe for everyone.

SHOP DARING DRESSING:

DATED: THE LBD

RATED: LINGERIE SLIP DRESSES

Style Notes: Once again, TikTok is encouraging us to strip off the layers and step into something a little more comfortable, and if there's one way to way to get attention this season, it's with a lingerie slip dress. The LBD has been a reliable evening option since the invention of the cocktail party, but if you're looking for something a little fresher but equally as stylish, look for midi slip dresses that you can wear with strappy heels or pretty flats. 

SHOP LINGERIE SLIP DRESSES:

 DATED: CLOTH TOTE BAGS

RATED: CROSSBODY BAGS

Style Notes: Think of the bestselling bags of the last two years and you'll notice they have one thing in common. COS, Uniqlo, The Row and Loewe have all cottoned onto the fact that the best bags marry good looks and practicality, and nothing does that quite like a crossbody bag. This is fortunate, as TikTok has decided that the cotton tote bags we've been accidentally accumulating for the last few years are no longer chic, so you're going to need a new way to transport your essentials. 

SHOP CROSSBODY BAGS:

Next Up: The Simple Jeans-and-Shoes Formula Fashion Insiders Swear by in Summer