We Can No Longer Ignore Them—These 6 "Ugly" Trends Are Blowing Up for Fall

There's an endless variety of styles in the sartorial world, but to make things simpler, the internet describes fashion on two opposing ends. On one hand, you have '90s minimalism, The Row, and Matilda Djerf. And on the other hand, you have Y2K maximalism, Bluemarine, and Bella Hadid. (Can you tell by that description that I spend too much time online?) And while we often talk about the easy and minimalist side of the market, there's nothing like a good controversial trend to shake things up. Despite everyone's thoughts on these "ugly" pieces, there's no doubt they're taking part in the defining look of the era.

The pendulum of fashion will continue to swing, but a large majority of consumers are still opting for things out of the ordinary and "campy." Some of the trends below may not be your cup of tea at first, but that's the whole point. You might even end up surprised by how often you may gravitate toward them once you add them to your closet. Dare to step away from the safe side? Keep scrolling to do so.

Parachute Pants

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(Image credit: @aniyahmorinia)

If comfort and cool are what you prioritize, a pair of parachute pants should be on your shopping list. These roomy trousers are an It item right now and are approved by the likes of Rihanna and Bella Hadid. Need I say more?

Leg Warmers

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(Image credit: @bellahadid)

It's no secret that ballet style has had a major impact on fashion trends in the past year, and leg warmers are just another extension of the popular aesthetic. 

Long Denim Skirts

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(Image credit: @anaasaber)

Denim skirts date back to the '70s, but it wasn't till the 2000s that maxi denim skirts became popular in style. Yes, you can thank Y2K for another fun fashion trend. The shift toward early aughts–inspired fashion simply cannot be ignored.

Bug Glasses

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(Image credit: @_sierramayhew)

If you want to take it slow, accessories are a good starting point. Look to Bottega Veneta, which paired bug-eyed and sporty sunglasses with basics like white tanks and jeans. They'll shine against any minimal outfit.

Wedges

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(Image credit: @elizagracehuber)

The new style of wedges that fashion people are ushering in has more edge than the cork wedges that were popular years ago. Instead of beach-style sandals, look for leather wedge boots and patent slingbacks. 

Vintage "Distressed" Denim

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(Image credit: @mariaalia)

Thanks to brands like Givenchy and Diesel, dirty and distressed has become the wash of choice for many in denim. (Don't worry—you can still buy them brand-new.)

Next, The Niche "Pretty" Trend We Spotted All Over New York, Milan, and Paris

This post was previously published and has since been updated.

Associate Fashion Editor
Yusra Siddiqui is an editor who resides in New Jersey but bounces between the suburbs and NYC. (She's a Jersey girl at heart.) After interning at Who What Wear in 2019, she found her way to the team after graduating from LIM College in 2022 with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, and Nylon, but she always knew that Who What Wear was where she was meant to be. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing the latest thing fellow Gen Zers are up to on the internet, and sharing what she can about the modest-fashion market. You can also catch her dabbling in entertainment, talking about the costume choices of the latest Netflix series or diving deeper into how the plotline affects the viewers in a myriad of ways. Lastly, she likes to create content for Who What Wear's TikTok. Her personal time is spent doing similar but also different things—deep diving into almost every new TV show (Bridgerton, Gilmore Girls, and Stranger Things are favorites), planning her next local getaway (whenever that may be), and reading the latest Emily Henry or Sally Rooney novel in one sitting.