These 30 Items Are Already Defining 2023—Take Note
We're only a few months into 2023, yet the year is already brimming with viral items and trends sure to dominate the next 250+ days. Thanks to platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where content is spat out every second of every day, there's no need to wait months to determine what will be big this year. We already know, and yes, Ugg's ubiquitous new Classic Ultra Mini Platforms are part of the discussion.
But the popular booties aren't the only items taking over our feeds and in-person reality. In fact, 2023 has racked up its fair share of year-defining fashion pieces, from Loewe's padded leather bomber jacket (which was spotted on Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, and Taylor Russell) to Mango's faux-shearling alternative for Totême's cult-favorite and often sold-out jacket. (Mango's version is just as likely to sell out, so act fast while it's in stock.) To see and shop them all, keep scrolling.
If you haven't noticed, almost everything Olympia Gayot, J.Crew's head of womenswear design, creates goes viral. This knee-length, full skirt is one such item, and for good reason. I tried it on, and it's as close to perfect as it gets.
Thanks to Dua Lipa, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Bella Hadid, and both of the Jenner sisters, Bottega Veneta's oversize teardrop earrings became so popular they sold out. But don't fret. This pair from Anthropologie has a similar look at a fraction of the price.
The first thing I did after seeing these Miu Miu–looking buckle boots from Steve Madden was get on the waiting list for my size (don't worry, they are back in stock). Then I messaged every Who What Wear editor to share the link.
TikTok has done it again. Similar to what happened with Skim's maxi lounge dress, the app caused this Contour Lift Underwire Tank (and the bodysuit version) to sell out on the brand's website. Luckily, Net-a-Porter still has it in stock in the Sienna colorway.
And just like that, the anti-skinny jeans trend continues. Thanks to designers and celebrities alike, jeans that buck the super-fitted look we once frequented are all anyone really wants to wear. From wide-leg jeans to barrel-leg jeans, as long as they're baggy, they're big for 2023 (pun intended).
Sculptural wedges have been the talk of the town ever since 2023 began. Most viral pairs will set you back hundreds, but not these gorgeous metallic sandals from Zara. They'll only cost you $70.
Remember when Hailey Bieber couldn't stop wearing those rimless Balenciaga sunglasses at the end of 2022, causing similar styles to go viral? Well, she's ditched those in favor of a slim, oval pair from Saint Laurent, which she's been wearing practically every day lately. And we all know what that means…
Gorgeous with everything, this draped silhouette from Reformation will be in everyone's cart (and later, on their feeds) in the coming weeks. Just wait.
Denim maxi skirts aren't going away anytime soon, but that doesn't mean you need to spend a lot on one. This option from The Gap is a 10 out of 10, and it's on sale.
Loewe's leather padded bomber jacket was destined for internet fame as soon as it debuted on the F/W 22 runway. Eye-catching yet surprisingly wearable, the style has become a fan favorite among Taylor Russell, Kendall Jenner, and Hailey Bieber, with all three styling it in a very laid-back, casual fashion.
Jewelry is having a moment in 2023, but of all the buzzy baubles, '80s-style wrist cuffs are among the most significant and buzzworthy.
Every time Adidas partners up with a buzzy brand on a fresh pair of Sambas, the fashion world eats it up. So, of course, when it was announced that Sporty & Rich would be coming out with a pair, the green-and-white style sold out pretty much immediately. Luckily, there's a thing called StockX.
I'm calling it: Canadian tuxedos will dominate the 2023 denim scene, especially when the styles are structured with a mid-wash blue.
Statement belts have taken over as the must-have accessory of the year, with snakeskin, studded, and metallic styles proving to be the most popular. While many pieces from fashion month could cost you your life savings, plenty of off-the-runway options are available to fill the gaps. For example, this $36 two-tone alt from Zara will turn any jeans-and-sweater outfit up a few hundred notches.
I knew this Norma Kamali dress would be a hit as soon as I spotted it at Nordstrom a few months ago. I wasn't wrong. Our entire office is trying to get their hands on one, and now that Shopbop has restocked it, you can expect to see us all wearing it.
No pants, no problem. The most integral part of pulling off 2023's pants-less trend are semi-sheer black tights, which then have to be worn without pants (but with some sort of brief or bodysuit) and with point-toed boots or heels. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
The modern-day version of YSL's 2000's-era Mombasa bag, Matthieu Blazy's Sardine bag from his debut collection for Bottega Veneta was always going to be a huge hit on the fashion circuit. With its gold, horn-shaped handle and the brand's iconic intrecciato weave, it's more of a work of art than most any bags on the market right now. And since it was brought back for the brand's spring/summer 2023 collection, the style is gearing up for another popular run.
If you're on social media, you've seen these boots. The latest style from Ugg to take the world by storm feature a high platform and a cropped shaft and have been worn by everyone from Elsa Hosk to Bella Hadid to Kylie Jenner.
The '80s are seeing a resurgence following Saint Laurent, Alaïa, and Versace's recent shows, causing sculpted suiting like this vest from Reformation to skyrocket in popularity.
White trousers will be the pants of choice for the fashion set this spring and summer. Belt them, pair them with white tanks and tees, and style them with sneakers, sandals, and loafers.
There's always one Khaite dress that dominates a season, and this time, it's the Octavia off-the-shoulder mini, which comes in this olive shade and cream. Paired with tights and point-toe pumps, it's sure to bring in compliments galore. Oh, and did I mention that it's available in all sizes and over 50% off at Net-a-Porter?
I saw one person wearing studded ballet flats on Instagram (hers were Tory Burch and are now sold out), and suddenly I started seeing them everywhere. While ubiquity can sometimes turn me off, this is one shoe trend I'm all for joining, well, everyone in.
From TikTok to Instagram to real life, this zippered, strapless top from Zara follows me everywhere, and I'm not mad about it.
The F/W 23 runways proved cords deserve a second chance at fashion fame, with Loewe, Bottega Veneta, Tory Burch, and Dries Van Noten all including pairs in their collections.
This coat—designed by Hailey Bieber for fashion-favorite basics brand Wardrobe.NYC—is what dreams are made of. Already worn by Bieber herself, paired with a groutfit and sneakers, of course, the ultra-oversize, Polo-style silhouette is proving itself worthy of the price tag more and more each day.
Following appearances on Hailey Bieber and Rihanna—both wore a Loewe, red-and-blue striped sweater—rugby shirts have made their way to the top of every fashion editor's wishlist.
There's this photo I found on Pinterest of Jennifer Aniston from the '90s where she's posing for a magazine in a black blouse, miniskirt, and shockingly good point-toe knee-high boots (that I believe are Jimmy Choo) that haunts me. Her boots are incredible (like dreamy incredible). And ever since I saw it, I've been on the hunt for a similar pair. This pair from Reformation is it.
It's time for metallic domination, and not in a subtle way. Sure, you could wear only a silver belt or pair of pumps, but I say you go all out, opting for a loud pair of trousers like these.
Simple, easy-to-throw-on dresses will be spring and summer's most worn trend, and this under-$100 option from Nordstrom will be among the most popular. For proof of its worthiness, see it on Who What Wear Editor-in-Chief Kat Collings.
Last year it was the Tank, this year, the Panthère. Cartier's gorgeous timepiece might be trending in 2023, but don't expect it to go "out" anytime soon. Timeless and classic, you can own it forever. And if you're anything like Nicola Peltz, you'll invest in a second one and wear them together.
This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Next: I'm Starting Off 2023 Right—27 Cool Finds That Are Already on My Radar
Eliza Huber is a New York City–based fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and celebrity style. She joined Who What Wear in 2021 after almost four years on the fashion editorial team at Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a marketing degree from the University of Iowa. She has since launched two monthly columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled the likes of Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, and Sabrina Carpenter for WWW's monthly cover features; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top trends from fashion month, season after season. Eliza now lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, running in Central Park, and scouring eBay for '90s Prada and '80s Yves Saint Laurent.
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