2023 Was The Year Of Weird Over Functional Fashion
5 of the most absurd style trends of the year.
Once upon a time, clothing was designed for modesty and to keep you warm, but nowadays, it could be argued to do the opposite. Garments are all about aesthetic purposes in today's society, as they should be, but the line between functionality and sheer ridiculousness can be easily blurred.
2023 has been the year fashion got freaky. Boundaries have been pushed to the limit, self-expression is at an all-time high, and the mentality of someone not liking your look is perceived as having haters. So have we all become delulu, or is this just a taster of what's to come?
Underwear As Outerwear
It all started at the end of 2022, when celebrities and influencers such as Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner swapped their pants for underwear, which started this wearing clothes weirdly revolution. This continued this year as panties were placed in the front and center of the Miu Miu autumn/winter 2023 runway show. It's a trend we are here for as long as you don't mind turning heads or embracing the frost.
Baring Daring Dress
We were then transported to the naked dress era in fashion, which we kind of love, but for functionality reasons, such as catching frostbite, we question the practicality of the designs. Next year, we would not be surprised if full-on nudity was featured on the red carpet and fashion shows as a new way of liberation and pushing the apparel rules and boundaries to the next level. After all, if you feel like you look good, women can factor out the cold conditions in their minds. It's a superpower.
Less Is More
Then came the exposed bra trend. It was stranger to not participate in the trend than actually to have your bra on display. Hunter Schafer is a testament to this as she wore a feather as a top to the 2023 Oscars After Party. As much as we loved this look on Hunter again if you have E-cup breasts, it's probably not the best idea to wear unless you want to be arrested for public indecency after one wrong move.
Ronald McDonald: The Footwear Icon
Cloompy footwear debuted in February with the "big red boot" launch from the US label MSCHF. This craze was so popular on social media like TikTok and Instagram. It was a 'pinch me' moment, not in a good way, more of an Am I really witnessing clown-like footwear be on trend? Safe to say, it felt like a fever dream. One thing is sure: we would not want to wear those bad boys in a rush.
Rotating Ball Gowns
When you can't calm the storm, embrace it: such was the message behind one of 2023's most memorable runway spectacles. In their presentation for the haute couture spring/summer 2023 exhibition, the creative minds of Dutch fashion duo Viktor & Rolf orchestrated a "parade of ethereal, whimsical tulle ball gowns." These garments began to liberate themselves from the models' forms as the show unfolded – some gracefully protruding sideways, others daringly turning completely. It's the complete opposite of the norm yet exciting. However, I would not fancy sitting beside someone at an event wearing the dress. Can you imagine Personal Space- 0, Garment- 1.
There's not much left to say other than trends come and go, so before you purchase an item, especially one that is not the most practical, have a hard think about it. Otherwise, in years to come, you may find yourself the owner of bejeweled briefs, a completely transparent dress, a feather to protect your modesty, clown shoes, and a sideward angled ball gown. All these are items you may need severe patience with when flogging on eBay or Vinted afterward.
Final Thoughts
Despite this, the saying is true: when one door closes, another one opens, and we are intrigued by what's to come next year. We hope that it'll be functional!
Connect with Facebook