A reflection on the 2024 trends - The best and the worst

I love writing this blogpost every year as I love reflecting on the trends of the year.   I make a little note in my diary throughout the year to make it easier to remember, but I also love looking back at this blogpost and seeing what was in trend previous years and what is still in trend.  Last year was barbie core and silver trousers, which we are definitely not doing this year and this year we have Leopard print trousers, what will next year bring??  I usually try and narrow it to ten, but I struggled this year, so there are 12.  Some are grouped as well, so I have put bags in one and sandals in one etc.  Have I missed any that are obvious and did you really hate any?  I only struggled with a few this year I must admit and I bought into most.  The ones that are a bit young, like cherry prints and bubble jewellery, I did leave those ones alone.  

1) Bubble letter jewellery 

Hailey Bieber was spotted wearing a big diamond B for Bieber round her neck in this bubble font and since then many brands have done various different versions of it.  I have liked the smaller gold versions of it, but the larger diamante ones are definitely not for me.

2) Samba trainers 

 Trainers have been in trend for a while, but the brand and style that is in trend changes often.  This year has been the year of the Sambas and this is one I have enjoyed and bought into.  Colourful ones have been really popular, but so have the neutral black and white and beige and brown versions which match with the tonal vibes of this year.

3) Mesh ballet flats and Mary Jane's

 I absolutely love this trend and I think it is here to stay for 2025.  The Alaia mesh ballet flat kicked it all off and the world either loved or hated it.  You either can't move past the fact that you can see your toes or you really love it.  I really love it and I bought a pair from H&M that I have worn so much.  Mine happen to also be a Mary Jane style, but I also have a buttery yellow leather Mary Jane pair that I have worn loads.  The style just looks really good with a tailored trouser, jeans and also skirts and dresses.  They are so versatile.

4) Bermuda shorts 

 Another trend that has come back around this year, I remember this being in trend when I was a teenager.  A pair of simple black or white Bermuda shorts, paired with a T-shirt and a simple belt looks very chic.  I really like this trend as although it is a trend, it is really timeless.

5) Metal detail on the toe sandals and Fisherman sandals 

 The sandals this year that I have found to be on trend are the sandals with the metal detail on them.  I saw these in many stores and I ended up buying a pair in Zara.  It just added something to a pair of plain black sandals and I really liked them.  Fisherman sandals however, I appreciated the look of them on some people and the way they styled them, but it was never something that would have suited me or my style.

6) Cherries 

 Cherries have been everywhere this year, from a print on a T-shirt, jewellery, bag charms or even on nails.  It's not a trend I have worn as I think it's quiet young, but it is a fun one none the less.

7) Leopard and snake print 

 Now this is a trend I never expected to like at all.  I bought a pair of leopard print jeans to see if I could style them well and I haven't stopped wearing them.  Paired really simple with all black and an oversized blazer and ballet flats, it looks really cool.  Equally with snake print, I bought a pair of loafers and they are by far my coolest shoes and I love adding them to an outfit to make it more trendy.

8) East west shape bags, slouchy bags, woven bags, the Row Margeaux bag dupes and Vanity case cross body bags 

 There are lots of bag styles that have been on trend in this year and I have to say that I have really enjoyed them all.  I am loving the slouchy shoulder bags and I have bought quiet a few, also the woven bags.  What I particularly like about these, is they don't need to be branded, the style is the trend more than the brand.  The Row Margeaux dupes have also been super popular with Cos and also Coach coming out with probably the most popular dupes, but personally the bag is way too big for me.  Finally there are lots of brands that have come out with a vanity case bag that can be hand held or crossbodies and it is really cute and super versatile for day to night.  I like the bottega and the YSL version the most, but Prada, Miu miu and many more have also brought the same style out.

9) Drop waist dresses 

This was such a good trend to come out this Summer as it has been a twist on the simple summer dress.  I have really enjoyed it and bought a few dresses in this style.  This is also one of those trends that also feels super timeless.

10) Burgundy red and Chocolate brown 

 This Autumn, the colours of the season and arguably the most popular colours for the year have been Chocolate brown and Burgundy red.  The world went mad when the end of Summer came nearer and now I feel like my entire wardrobe is brown and Burgundy red.  They are such great Autumn neutrals that will come back round year after year.

11) Suede 

 Suede is another huge trend we have seen for Autumn 2024 and will see into Spring 2025 and it is one that I love.  I have enjoyed the Chocolate brown coloured suede items and have purchased a slouchy bag in that tone as well as a belt.  I would absolutely love to get a trench coat, but I can't have everything!  This is yet another trend that is also very timeless.  We are still very much in our classic era where most things that are trends are actually very timeless pieces.  

12) Bag charms 

 My final trend for 2024 has got to be bag charms, which were hugely influenced by Jane Birkin who passed away last year.  Everyone wanted to use their bags like Jane Birkin used her Birkin and have all sorts of charms dangling from their purses.  It's very fun, but not something I'll be doing any time soon.

The 2025 trend predictions according to Vogue are:

1) Boho 

This will be in the form of suede continuing in boots, slouchy bags and jackets and skirts, which is kind of a continuation from 2024.  Although it wasn't a full trend, a lot of cowboy boots were purchased for the Taylor swift concert and possibly after Beyonce's country album.

2) Prints continuing, with an increase in Zebra print 

 I have really enjoyed Leopard and Snake print touches in 2024, it has been really fun.  There have been a few Zebra print pieces out there, but I think this trend will pick up in 2025.  I'm not sure on this one though as it's not as subtle as some leopard and snake prints can be, it all depends how you style it.

3) Sports style 

This one isn't really a surprise as we have seen the increase over the past few years of athleisure as people wear Alo yoga and lululemon leggings and trainers out and about.  I think the style in 2025 might push towards sports tops and shirts as have been seen at Copenhagen fashion week.  Think rugby shirts with mini skirt and socks with heels.  Not my style at all, but I have started wearing leggings and hoodies casually when I go for walks and food shopping a bit more than usual and delving into that style.

4) The new neutrals - Dusky pinks, espresso brown, earthy neutrals, sage

The basic neutral colours will expand a little bit to include a few more.  A neutral can be a soft version of any colour as long as it is earth toned.  Think browns, dusky pinks, sage and light lemon yellow or butter yellow.

5) Dollcore 

This final trend reminds me of when I was 17 and 18 and just starting to go out.  Bubble hemline dresses were so popular then and I had many of them.  And guess what, they are back?  For PTSD reasons, I will not be joining in with this one!!