2022 : A year we collectively spent in transition

We saw an increase in travel and social events with a slow return to familiar pre-pandemic lifestyles. We saw a portion of the work-force return to the office, while another portion found ease and efficiency in working from home. With fashion existing somewhere at the intersection of at-home loungewear; functional workwear and party-centric rave ‘fits/y2k looks, the top trends of the year are a fusion of eclectic tastes and lifestyles. 

While the start of a new year is always a time for a fresh start and new beginnings, we reflect on some of our favorite trends from 2022 that we don’t want to let go of any time soon. 

Our Top 5 2022 trends

 

1. Dance wear

Model off-duty looks have been hot since the rise of the supermodel. This year, however, we saw the fusion of active-wear and cutesy styles result in the “ballerina off-duty" trend. From the iconic Miu Miu ballet slippers to Sandy Laing’s hyper feminine silhouettes, there’s a multitude of ways to incorporate this sweet style into your everyday look. We think of it as a more sophisticated take on yoga pants and a hoodie; a stylish way to wear loungewear out of the house.

Some of our favorite dance inspired looks from the past year:

Sandy Laing SS23

 

MM6 SS23

 

Miu Miu SS22

 

2. Leather!

Maybe it’s the dystopian/ matrix-like atmosphere of our social climate or maybe it’s the season-less versatility of the material, but we’ve seen fashionistas draped in protective leather looks all 2022. Whether it’s a bold statement piece, leather as a neutral or a full head-to-toe look; the material has made an appearance in a number of ways. Our favorite way to incorporate the trend is by reaching for one leather piece in a tried and true silhouette, like the classic leather jacket, and mixing it with as many outfit iterations that we can.

Leather looks in the wild:

 

16Arlington AW22

 

Saint Laurent SS23

 

Julia Fox Street Style

 

3. Bedazzled/ Bejeweled Accents 

“Bring the bling… to everything. Gen Z is driving a trend toward accessories that go way beyond the basic earring, cuff or layered necklace. They’re getting creative and accessorizing the whole body, from tooth gems to crystal eye embellishments.” -Pinterest Business

We’re always here for a little bling. The beauty of this trend is that you can let your imagination go wild. Anywhere you can sneak in a little shimmer and shine, go for it!

Bling accents from head to toe:

Hailey Bieber at the Met Gala 

 

Channel SS23

 

Blumarine SS22

 

4. Daring Cutouts

This trend isn’t new by any means, but we’ve seen the placement of cutouts get weirder and more daring as the seasons progress. What was once thought of as a style meant exclusively for nightlife is finding its way into more elevated silhouettes and sophisticated occasions.

Chic takes on the flirty trend:

Nensi Dojaka AW22

 

Dion Lee SS23

Christopher Esber Resort 22

 

5. Mood Boosting Colors

Back in August we wrote about one of our favorite trends: Mood Boosting Colors. This trend focuses on the psychological effects that bright colors and playful patterns have on our mental state. We don’t see this slowing down anytime soon as dopamine brights continue to pop up on runways, on the streets and in our closets. Our take? Stick to one bright statement piece and balance the rest of the outfit with clean neutrals.

Some of our fav dopamine inducing looks from recent runways:

Bottega Veneta FW22

 

Marques’ Almeida SS23

 

Moschino Resort 23

 

2022 Recap

Trends come and go. While we’re huge proponents of staying true to your personal style, we always think it’s fun to draw inspiration from new cultural trends.

What trends from 2022 did you love? What trends did you hate?

Keep up with us @cleveraliceoffical on Instagram and @clever_alice on TikTok to follow our latest takes.