"Nothing brings lingering fashion trends to a halt while simultaneously lifting new styles to the forefront quite like the start of a new year. Come January 1, many of us are overcome with a zeal to refresh most aspects of our lives, reassessing which components we can breathe new life into as we prepare for a productive, healthful, and inspiring 12 months ahead. For many, one aspect that is particularly susceptible to overhaul is our closet.
Having recently rung in a new year and a new lineup of fashion trends, I know I’m personally eager to shake things up, simultaneously trying new trends and saying goodbye to pieces and aesthetics that no longer serve me. That being said, I’m also happy to hold onto items, styles, and aesthetics that are showing promise for prevailing through 2024.
Over the last several years, TikTok aesthetics (seen in fashion and beyond) have become a culture all of their own. Did you ever anticipate how often you’d find yourself reading and using the term “core?” From nods to the past (such as Y2K and twee) to the cinema-inspired (see Barbiecore and mermaidcore) to the seemingly just plain random (while I’m a fan, coastal cowgirl does come to mind), fashion aesthetics have presented us with a legitimately fun and inspiring way to approach getting dressed in the morning. While, of course, some may find the barrage of aesthetics exhausting or unnecessary (looking at you, Mob Wife), I’m personally all in, having found dabbling in different trends as a means to avoiding styling boredom.
As time ticks on and new aesthetics continue to pop up in our feeds, it’s fair to say that some of these social media-driven micro trends we’ve come to know and love (or hate, depending on the circumstances) have had their time in the sun. While I don’t see mermaidcore returning this summer, these fashion aesthetics are sure to stick around and prevail in 2024.
Tenniscore
An aesthetic that’s been difficult to ignore, tenniscore has swept the board of casual styling for the past two years, giving those of us who love both prep and comfort an optimal dressing solution. With its ability to capitalize on this “best of both worlds” quality and the accessibility it offers (who doesn’t feel comfortable slipping on a pair of sneakers?), this trend is sure to live on through the year. Hold onto your pleated skorts and v-neck sweaters, folks.
Balletcore
Ballet and fashion go hand in hand—the art form’s influence on everyday wear is nothing new. I distinctly remember my own mother telling my teen self about how, in the ’80s, everyone and their sister was wearing leg warmers as a fashion accessory. I found the idea preposterous until, of course, 2023 came around and changed my opinion for the better. This past year was a distinct celebration of all things feminine and “girly.” Balletcore, in particular, skyrocketed among the masses following an end-of-year collaboration between J.Crew and New York City Ballet. Fashion girls embracing bow-topped, Nutcracker-esque looks this past holiday season also helped tip the scales in the aesthetic’s favor.
In early 2024, the trend is continuing to gain momentum, with muted colors, ballet flats, cozy cashmere, and hair bows holding the lines on shelves of retailers everywhere. Long story short? If you’ve ever harbored dreams of being a professional ballet dancer, 2024 is your year to—at the very least—dress as one.
Quiet Luxury
If you’re an anti-trend kind of gal, then quiet luxury is the trend for you. It’s an aesthetic identified by high-quality, minimalist pieces that never go out of style. With a hard pass on vibrant colors and uber-trendy items, channel this trend-that-isn’t-really-a-trend by grabbing for neutral, classic styles. Fashion pieces often associated with the aesthetic include trousers, leather accessories, blazers, and button-down shirts.
Coastal Grandma
While the coastal grandma aesthetic first rose to popularity in 2022 (practically eons ago on the fashion timeline), it hasn’t lost any ground. In fact, I’d even go as far as to say it’s gaining some. As the name implies, coastal grandma is an aesthetic that draws inspiration from the lifestyle we all envision when imagining an older, affluent woman who lives by the sea. It’s classic, put-together New England style at its core. In other words, everything from quality knits this winter to linen sets and pearls this summer is still fair game in 2024.
Twee
This one has personally shocked me a bit—I 100 percent did not expect this 2015-tumblr-girl-inspired aesthetic to live on past its revival in 2022. For those unfamiliar with twee (a British term that essentially means “overly cute”), think knee socks, hipster glasses, and wide-brimmed felt hats. And while we are not advocating for the wearing of those pieces in 2024, you can feel comfortable reaching for other twee-inspired staples, such as tights, mini skirts (bonus if they’re plaid), collared shirts (particularly those layered beneath a sweater), and Mary Janes.
Cottagecore
While some might disagree, I personally believe the romantic aesthetic born out of Covid isolation is here to stay through the end of the year. Defined by puffed sleeves, floral prints, baskets, and Western boots, cottagecore is an embodiment of a peaceful, cozy lifestyle devoid of technology and full of farm-fresh eggs and sourdough bread hot from the oven. With retailers holding strong in their offerings of puff-sleeved dresses and tops, basket bags, hair ribbons, and practical boots, the romantics among us can rejoice in losing themselves in cottagecore for yet another year.
Eclectic Grandpa
While this isn’t a “historic” (and I use that term very loosely) micro trend, I can’t talk about 2024 fashion aesthetics without mentioning the latest on the scene: eclectic grandpa. A humorous departure from “coastal grandma,” the eclectic grandpa aesthetic is a catch-all for many of the trends we’ve grown to love over the past few years. Sweater vests, baseball caps, and all things retro and kitsch fall neatly (or maybe not so neatly) into the bucket of eclectic grandpa (also being referred to as “grandpacore” on the web). Raid your closet for pieces inspired by past trends to artfully (or again, maybe not so artfully?) dive into this latest and greatest aesthetic.
