Back to the 90’s: AW2023 Trends
With winter approaching, fashion trends have shifted again, but how sustainable are these changes? Every season, with the impact of TikTok and influencers, what is considered ‘fashionable’ alters – sometimes it’s impossible to keep up. So, to make things easier, we will delve into the top 3 TikTok fashion trends for AW23 and discuss whether they are sustainable, as well as their origin. Fashion always comes round in circles, so don’t be surprised if these are things your parents own from the 90s!
Oversized Jeans – they may drag on the floor, but they look pretty cool
Brands like Weekday and Urban Outfitters have taken over the denim industry in a matter of months. Although being a staple shape jean since the ’90s, fashion nostalgia has taken over on TikTok lately, thus reviving the oversized trouser look. Celebs like Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner have influenced an entire generation to bring this trend back.
In the ’90s, menswear became apparel for all. The ‘boyfriend jean’ has moved from being considered ‘slouchy’ to being a fashion staple. The trend came to life from R&B and Hip-Hop culture, with artists like Eminem, Tupac, and Aaliyah. They also became a staple for skateboarders due to their comfort, unrestrictive fit, as well as skin protection! Pre-loved Carhartt and Levi’s are something we see a lot from this group, which has poured into casual streetwear for all.
As Gen Z, it is commonly discussed that we associate most fitted-skinny jeans as something Millennials wear, hence the active shift for the opposite. In a subconscious act of fashion rebellion, Gen Z has opted for something more comfortable and arguably a lot more sustainable. Not only are these baggy jeans often thrifted, they are also durable for any sort of body fluctuation. With skinny jeans (that we all admittedly used to wear as tweens), once you grew or hit puberty, it was pretty much impossible to squeeze a thigh in. Now, we don’t need to worry about maintaining the same physique for years (which no one naturally can!). Let’s embrace comfort with style, rather than style over comfort.
Opting for ‘little top, big pants,’ our generation has brought back a great fashion staple that has a lot of longevity to it. Just try to thrift instead of buying new, as many fast-fashion brands have hopped on the trend. Shop smarter, not faster!
All things RED – specifically the kitten heel kind
Fashion powerhouse Vogue has stated red as the new ‘pink,’ A.K.A., the new “it” colour. After the global AW23 fashion week catwalks, it was clear designers have deemed red as the hottest colour of the season: Gucci, Valentino, and Fendi boast examples.
Red is typically seen on the red carpet, notably again in the ’90s by Cindy Crawford. The color is a recurring event gown trend still present on carpets today (as seen on Selena Gomez for the recent MTV VMAs). A color associated with beauty, confidence, sex, and danger – red is something that we will always see and is often iconic when worn.
Although red is a bold color in itself, ‘hints of red’ have become a trending topic on TikTok for those who feel the color is too much. This has then led to the push of red accessories, specifically red heels and bags. A popular item that went viral recently was Mango’s cherry-red kitten heels, now sold out globally. The video that started the trend now has reached over 3 million views on the page of @camilacastiello.
Kitten heels themselves are an homage to Sex and the City, a late ’90s, early 2000s American rom-com series following a group of elite New York early-30-somethings. The series is a style inspiration to many and was so influential that it even encouraged the now-popularity for the cocktail, The Cosmopolitan. Carrie Bradshaw – the lead fashion journalist protagonist – was regularly seen in iconic outfits, often featuring kitten heels she ‘throws on’ before running late to dates in the big city. Kitten heels still have this ideology around them: something dressy but easily thrown on and comfy. An iconic fashion staple that really doesn’t get spoken about enough – we want to see more of these on nights out!
Something so beautiful about recurring trends like kitten heels is that these are something you will most likely come across in a thrift/charity shop without fail if you’re not willing to spend $300 on one pair, like our style icon Carrie Bradshaw. Designers today are working hard to make leather sustainable, but for many high-street shops, they lack transparency in where their goods are obtained. Shopping second-hand means that at least the piece gets a second life and discourages consumerism habits.
Chunky Metals – trendy or cheugy?
Jewellery is an accessory that has been around longer than we know and creates a sense of meaning and individuality to any outfit worn by anyone. The industry has moved past Harry Styles’ chunky pearl necklaces and towards bold metals. Brands like Missoma and Astrid & Miyu have taken over the chunky earring industry in the UK for all ages.
Often seen in ’90s black and Latino cultures, chunky hoop earrings have become a jewellery staple, used to make the simplest outfits appear more sophisticated. Spotted on AW23 runways, to then being worn by Maya Jama and (of course) Hailey Bieber, the earrings have saturated the market. Kate Middleton has even been spotted recently in a pantsuit and chunky gold hoops!
Once considered tacky is now considered glam, and although they look great currently, we don’t know how long it’ll last. But like every trend, they come back, so, if you are going to invest, we recommend purchasing one good non-tarnish pair, preferably from Monica Vinader or Missoma, and even better, Etsy, rather than falling into the trap of cheaper earrings from chains like Zara and Lovisa.
To sum everything up, the ’90s is arguably the most fashionable decade, and for some reason, us Gen-Zers keep bringing back those trends! So, go drive into your cool aunt’s wardrobe and see what they have.
Anyone can say what they think is hot or not, but ultimately, you are the only one who knows what you like. Don’t feel pressured to play into trends, as a lot of the time (like cowboy boots), they only last a short period. So, think before you buy, and make sure it’s for you. Style is obviously subjective, so wear what you want to wear. Just remember to shop sensibly and sustainably if you do fancy playing into the latest AW23 trends!
