The 2024 fashion year was definitely one for the books with the rise of layering, various prints, and dark, cherry red. A few things we saw evolved from 2023 trends and others were inspired by vintage looks.
Miu Miu, which for those of you who don’t know, is a subsidiary of Prada, actually had quite a year with their kitten heels, glasses and bag charms. Miu Miu’s bag charms were also popular at the Copenhagen fashion week last fall where all the Scandi It-girls could be seen with boxy colorful purses. The kitten heels, on the other hand, started a cult-like obsession with a dark cherry red all over the world. This color was THE color for 2024 and could be seen on runways, bags, nails and everything in between. I definitely saw red nails making rounds in Champe hallways and TikTok For You Pages last year.
“I’ve been seeing that color everywhere and I’m absolutely obsessed,” junior Vasudha Kolluri said. “It feels really rich and compliments my skin tone so well.”
Speaking of TikTok For You Pages, the mob wife aesthetic also had its minute of fame last fall and was defined by teased out hair, leopard print, fur, statement jackets and chunky gold jewelry. This trend definitely took inspiration from the bold, flashy form of luxury worn by women in many mafia movies and is almost like an antithesis to the clean girl style of 2023.
“You need to start with an outfit that is comprised of entirely black garments. If you look like you’re going to a funeral, you’re doing it right,” self-proclaimed “Mob Wife Aesthetic CEO” Sarah Arcuri said in a TikTok she posted in October, 2023. “Next, you’re gonna dig your mom’s old fur jacket from the ‘80s. Nothing screams ‘golden era of the mob’ like a jacket that lived in the golden era of the mob.”
Before that, in the summer of 2024, we saw brat summer inspired by Charlie XCX’s 2024 album Brat with wife beaters, athletic-framed sunglasses and, of course, neon green. Then, there was Pilates Princess core which highlighted bows, cardigans and boleros and a feminine light pink palette. Following that was the Office siren aesthetic, which is a bold femme fatale twist on corporate styles. This trend takes inspiration from the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada and early 2000s Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren fashion.
“The office siren aesthetic is cool and all, but I don’t know if it’s actually suitable for work,” DECA Member Laila Naqvi said. “It started out being pretty appropriate, but I think some people have taken it out of context. You can’t wear mini skirts and not break the dress code.”
In March, Beyonce’s studio album Cowboy Carter came out, influencing an era of the cowgirl aesthetic. This country obsession went further than fashion as country music saw a 20% increase in streams last year. Cowboy hats and boots were the hallmark of this trend, but more subtle examples were double-denim, vintage leathers, bolo ties, large, engraved belt buckles and hints of turquoise.
“With an array of different iterations of the aesthetic, and a fine line between looking chic and intentional, and looking like you’re dressing up for Halloween,” Nina Miyashita said in an article for Vogue, “considered styling choices must be made to ensure you pull it off to the most sophisticated level.”
Beyond the styles that were trending last year, there were also many popular trends that were more specific. Bubble skirts and barrel jeans saw a rise in popularity and sparked many debates over whether they deserved the fame. We also saw a lot of patterns such as camo, laced tights and studded belts and bags. Certain pieces of clothing were also trending such as Adidas Gazelles, the Brazil Top, the Ralph Lauren American flag sweater, and interestingly, skinny jeans.
“I definitely think skinny jeans are going to be trending in 2025, but I would never ever wear them,” Kolluri said. “I just don’t think they’re very flattering.”
2024 fashion was both a reflection of cultural shifts and a resurgence of vintage aesthetics. Between trends of flashy luxury and oversized silhouettes, this year was all about putting a twist on older styles. Fashion, however, is constantly evolving and it’s important to stay true to your own style.
“Trust me, I learnt the hard way that it is okay to not follow trends,” Leah Par said in her Medium article Why You Don’t Need to Follow Fashion Trends. “It is very okay to want to be different. I do consider myself a fashionista, but it doesn’t mean I need to slay on the latest trends.”
