I Used To Work In The Fashion Industry, So Here Are 9 Trends You Should Consider Adding To Your Closet, And 9 That You Should Stay Far, Far Away From

I'm sorry, but the world only needs so many Y2K-revival outfits.

They always say what goes around comes back around again, especially with fashion trends, which typically cycle back every 20 years (think, we're in the early 2000s revival right now!). Still, some trends can last well past their peak, and others, well, should stay put right where they are.

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Now, I'm a huge supporter of wearing whatever the heck you want! There are no hard and fast rules to fashion, but as a former fashion buyer, I'd say there are certainly ~guidelines~ you can follow if you want your clothes to last longer. So, without further ado, let's take a look at what 2023 trends will hold up past their current season, and which ones you'll want to avoid.

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JUST A TREND: Cargo pants

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Look, cargo is clearly working right now, and they look great in this update! But the utility trend is pretty volatile and tends to leave the trend cycle FAST.

TIMELESS: Cotton Jeans

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Jean silhouettes of course come in and out of style, but a good pair lasts forever. Choose a pair that are majority cotton and an easy shape, like a straight leg, and you're golden. There's a reason vintage Levi's sell in droves on Depop. And, contrary to popular belief, you CAN still wear a skinnier leg. It's all about how you style them! I mean, just look at Princess Diana rocking her skinny-straight jeans. 

JUST A TREND: Barbiecore

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We're still trailing the tails of the Barbiecore trend, especially as the new Barbie movie comes out this summer, but you might want to put the days of the hot-pink ensemble behind you. And trust me, I'm not too pleased about this one, but the hot pink suit in my closet hardly gets touched. While a pop of color is nice, it's a bit impractical to dress in one color trend long-term. 

TIMELESS: Colorblocking

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BUUT, that doesn't mean you have to let your pink gear collect dust as the Barbiecore trends fades. Balancing an outfit with complimentary colors, using tonal colors, or following color theory is always in style. What I love about color blocking is it can work for everyone, too, not just brights! You can use neutrals to create a ~tonal~ color blocking look.

JUST A TREND: Cutouts

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Cutout clothing has had its moment for awhile now, but I'm afraid I've seen one too many of these cutout shoulder tops for them to continue on. 

TIMELESS: Draped dressing

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Drapery has been around in clothing since the ancient Greeks. It never really goes out of style, but rather finds its way back again in updated forms. It has a little more give than cutouts in clothes because it can be shaped to move and fit with your body, rather than against it.

JUST A TREND: Satin

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I love the sheen of a colorful satin, but unfortunately, this synthetic fabric rips, pulls, and wrinkles VERY easily. Big retailers are notorious for overcharging for it in the name of trend. If you're buying a lot of synthetic fabrics, like rayon and polyester, you are probably spending more since they are not fabrics meant to last. They actually keep you coming back to buy!

TIMELESS: Silk dressing

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Look, natural fibers, like silks and wools, do tend to cost more upfront, but listen up — there's a hack! You don't need to buy these fabrics at full price from trendy retailers; there are just as nice quality silk dresses, skirts, and tops at consignment shops. I just bought a silk skirt for $20 at my local secondhand shop; I can sleep comfortably knowing I didn't break the bank, I contributed to a circular economy, and it will last me years and years.

JUST A TREND: Wide Pants

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I LOVE wide-leg pants, but I have a feeling we're going to be looking back going, "What were we thinking?!" And I hate to say it, but Generation Alpha will probably come for Gen Z about these chimney columns, just like Gen Z absolutely destroyed Millennials' attachment to skinny jeans.

TIMELESS: Trousers

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Trousers aren't suitable for every occasion, but they are having a huge moment right now. They never really go away either, which makes them a pretty solid closet staple.

JUST A TREND: Chunky sneakers

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I don't think I need to explain this. But these will DEFINITELY be the "what the hell were we thinking!?" when we look back at the 2020s. 

TIMELESS: White sneakers

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Basic? Perhaps. Timeless? Absolutely. 

But these nearly $600 sneakers?... JUST A TREND

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I'm sorry, but why would I pay half my rent for a shoe that comes pre-dusted with dirt? Why don't we redistribute that wealth instead of cosplaying as poor?

ALSO TIMELESS: Button-up shirts

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If you have anything in your closet, you should probably invest in a couple loose, button-up shirts. Tuck it in, tuck it out, button it up, leave it open, throw it over a top, wear it on its own. Versatility is key for items you want to wear over and over again. 

JUST A TREND: Low-rise

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Look, low-rise already had its time in the spotlight. And no thank youuuu, we saw enough anti-fat fashion in the early 2000s. While there have been rumblings of its revival, there has just been waaay too much backlash for it to make a full comeback. Phew! 

TIMELESS: Denim dressing

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This one might be controversial, and trust me, I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but denim dressing is here to stay. The thing is, denim will always stick around, so we gotta find a way to have fun with it. Like, look at my fav nepo baby Dakota Johnson rocking this head-to-toe denim ensemble. Slay! 

JUST A TREND: "Y2K" Revival

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Ah, the trend of all trends right now. I'm all for some early aughts nostalgia, but as the trend cycle goes, we'll be heading into the 2010s next. And TBH, IDK if I'm ready for that. But looking at these 2000s-inspired outfits has got me thinking we'll be headed for 2010s hipster, indie sleaze, and flower crown-core sooner than we think. But I rue the day I see mustaches, shutter shades, and galaxy leggings making a comeback.

TIMELESS: Western

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It's been rebranded as "cowboy core," "coastal cowgirl," and "Western core," but the fact is, western dressing will always be around, no matter what new name we give it. Whether you're from the South, or just going to Coachella or Beyoncé's Renaissance Tour, you'll probably always find a reason to dust off your cowboy boots.

That's everything I got! Of course, you should wear whatever makes you feel good, and if you wanna wear a trend forever and ever, do it! But I find if I keep 70–80% of my wardrobe in the "timeless" category, and 20–30% in "trend," my pockets thank me and I'm a lot less frustrated when things inevitably go out of style.

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What else do you think is just a trend? What's in your closet that you keep re-wearing? Let me know in the comments below!