GETTING BACK TO THE BASICS
By Sara Kahn
For so long, bold patterns and bright colors made an outfit. Neon blazers, zebra print pants, and polka-dot skirts were the norm after the wave of dopamine dressing in 2021 following the pandemic caused an uptick in brighter colors and more “fun” patterns. People readjusted to dressing up after a year of donning slippers and pajamas. As stated by fashion psychologist Shakaila Forbes-Bell to Marie-Claire, “Comfort has remained an important fixture in our wardrobe and that’s something many will find hard to relinquish anytime soon,” says Forbes-Bell. “Workwear will be more functional than before with elevated loungewear pieces taking center stage.” She also predicted that accessories would become best-sellers, which falls in line with the new trend in which chunkier gold jewelry is worn to stand out in contrast to basic pieces. As 2022 progressed, the fashion world took a turn. Where basics used to be seen as the elements of an outfit that allowed for its brighter or louder components to shine, they are now what makes an outfit, an outfit.
Russh published an article with some of the best-selling fashion pieces and the vast majority are simple in every sense – the colors are less bright, and the designs more minimalist. Some featured items include the simple Prada Logo tank top, the Birkenstock Boston clogs, and the Adidas Samba indoor soccer shoes.
The industry is pushing us to get back to basics. L’Officiel published an article in January titled “Get Back to Basics in 2023.” The piece showcases images featuring clothing and accessories from luxury brands to showcase how unassuming pieces have now taken center stage in the fashion world. The Balenciaga Cagole bag is a perfect example: its simple nature allowed it to quickly catapult to popularity in 2022 and 2023. The same is true of the Prada Nylon Re-Edition purse, particularly in the color black.
The 2023 red carpets, usually an opportunity for more outrageous and loud couture, have seen simpler ensembles. At the SAG awards, Jenna Ortega wore a belted, solid black dress with a high slit. At the same award show, Zendaya rocked a pink satin dress with rose detailing that was the same color and material as the rest of the gown. At the Grammys red carpet, SZA donned a black Mugler cut-out dress whose primary detailing was its shape. Olivia Rodrigo’s Grammy look, a sheer black dress, paid homage to minimalism while being show-stopping.
This up-and-coming shift manifests in the kinds of clothes newly popular brands are releasing as well as what fashion and lifestyle influencers are wearing. Anine Bing, for example, has been around for years, but its presence as a brand focused on simple clothing has allowed it to gain greater notoriety in recent months. Ken Eurich, an influencer known on TikTok as @ken.eurich, who has done partnerships with fashion brands such as Steve Madden and Marc Jacobs, now sports the classic Anine Bing hoodie in many of her Tik Tok videos as opposed to the more pattern-centric, brighter clothing she posted herself wearing in 2021. Taylor Brown, who posts outfit videos on her TikTok account, keeps it simple while being both on-trend and stylish. She frequently posts in solid-colored blazers and scarves which she pairs with simple blue jeans or slacks.
The new definition of stylish places emphasis on simplicity. TikTok is dominated by styling videos. and while in 2021 these videos may have been focused on styling clothing pieces such as a brightly colored graphic sweater or patterned pants, they are now centering more basic pieces such as blue jeans and simple hoodies. A 2021 article that appeared in StyleCaster highlights the popularity of gingham and floral prints as well as patchwork jeans, elements that are much less visible in 2023. Lauren Tiby, a TikTok influencer who goes by @laurentiby, is known for her popular Amazon storefront. Her page is primarily filled with simple pieces: plain bodysuits, blue jeans, and simple gold jewelry.
From Tik Tok styling videos to red carpets, simple, basic-centric fashion has taken a leap as being a primary fashion trend for the coming months.
Russh published an article with some of the best-selling fashion pieces and the vast majority are simple in every sense – the colors are less bright, and the designs more minimalist. Some featured items include the simple Prada Logo tank top, the Birkenstock Boston clogs, and the Adidas Samba indoor soccer shoes.
The industry is pushing us to get back to basics. L’Officiel published an article in January titled “Get Back to Basics in 2023.” The piece showcases images featuring clothing and accessories from luxury brands to showcase how unassuming pieces have now taken center stage in the fashion world. The Balenciaga Cagole bag is a perfect example: its simple nature allowed it to quickly catapult to popularity in 2022 and 2023. The same is true of the Prada Nylon Re-Edition purse, particularly in the color black.
The 2023 red carpets, usually an opportunity for more outrageous and loud couture, have seen simpler ensembles. At the SAG awards, Jenna Ortega wore a belted, solid black dress with a high slit. At the same award show, Zendaya rocked a pink satin dress with rose detailing that was the same color and material as the rest of the gown. At the Grammys red carpet, SZA donned a black Mugler cut-out dress whose primary detailing was its shape. Olivia Rodrigo’s Grammy look, a sheer black dress, paid homage to minimalism while being show-stopping.
This up-and-coming shift manifests in the kinds of clothes newly popular brands are releasing as well as what fashion and lifestyle influencers are wearing. Anine Bing, for example, has been around for years, but its presence as a brand focused on simple clothing has allowed it to gain greater notoriety in recent months. Ken Eurich, an influencer known on TikTok as @ken.eurich, who has done partnerships with fashion brands such as Steve Madden and Marc Jacobs, now sports the classic Anine Bing hoodie in many of her Tik Tok videos as opposed to the more pattern-centric, brighter clothing she posted herself wearing in 2021. Taylor Brown, who posts outfit videos on her TikTok account, keeps it simple while being both on-trend and stylish. She frequently posts in solid-colored blazers and scarves which she pairs with simple blue jeans or slacks.
The new definition of stylish places emphasis on simplicity. TikTok is dominated by styling videos. and while in 2021 these videos may have been focused on styling clothing pieces such as a brightly colored graphic sweater or patterned pants, they are now centering more basic pieces such as blue jeans and simple hoodies. A 2021 article that appeared in StyleCaster highlights the popularity of gingham and floral prints as well as patchwork jeans, elements that are much less visible in 2023. Lauren Tiby, a TikTok influencer who goes by @laurentiby, is known for her popular Amazon storefront. Her page is primarily filled with simple pieces: plain bodysuits, blue jeans, and simple gold jewelry.
From Tik Tok styling videos to red carpets, simple, basic-centric fashion has taken a leap as being a primary fashion trend for the coming months.