5 Trends that took 2022 by Storm

By: Demi Tayla

2022 had been an unoriginal year. It mostly has consisted of drawing influence from other eras, decades and pop culture. It does make sense though. The past two years have primarily been stuck in-doors with the focus of rebuilding, restoring and relearning, so we do need to give the fashion industry some leeway. In light of all that’s transpired, the fashion industry has still managed to showcase innovated fashion, impress fashion enthusiasts and continue to reshape the future of fashion.

As you’re all aware by now, 2022 is well under way, but as we approach the new year, we’re taking a look at the trends that stood out amongst the crowd and made their way into our wardrobes.

Here are the top 5 most dominating fashion trends in 2022.

1. Dopamine Dressing

Think colour, colour and more colour!

This colour-blocking trend has gained huge popularity in the year of 2022. Dopamine dressing is dressing to boost your mood, and through this, individuals will associate with joy, self-expression and controlled fashion. The ‘dopamine enhancer’ is activated through experimenting with colour, texture and style.

Dopamine dressing allows for individuals to freely embrace their unique style. No longer are we forced to fit into boxes, but rather to identify our personal style and celebrate our individuality.

Whether it's on the streets, on the runway, or social media platforms, dopamine dressing will be there. To begin, Instagram and TikTok were the first platforms to embrace dopamine dressing, where fashion accounts and influencers embraced the trend, with the hashtag, ‘dopamine dressing’ has received over 13 million views on TikTok. However, two digital creator sisters, Olivia and Alice are dominating the bold trend.

Olivia & Alice styled in Dopamine Dressing.

2. Mini Skirt Suits

The mini skirt suits are in full-force, where shrunken proportion is the top request.

We so loved our maxi and midi’s but it’s now time to introduce the mini, with slightly more tailoring and much more leg!

Don’t be surprised when you see this trend dominating the runways. Already Versace and Chanel are ahead of the curve in showcasing it, and fashion innovators have already made an impact on Instagram and TikTok. This trend can be experimented with a variety of colours, textures and patterns. It’s up to you to decide.

Miu Miu Spring 22 - Mini Skirt Suit

3. Homespun

A combination of crochet, patchwork and other craft touches, this simple, slower-paced trend is making a statement this Autumn.

This vintage, feminine aesthetic presents a theme on the runways, involving textured fabrics. Designer, Chloe, showcased this homespun trend where fashion enthusiast revealed interest in the trend.

Over sophisticated suits and tailored two-pieces, crocheted pieces were worn with butterfly-inspired silhouettes.

Vogue Runway Chloe 2022

4. Skin Is In

It’s an end of an era for all protective layers, and although we say goodbye, we welcome the more seductive, powerful silhouettes with open arms this S/S 22.

It’s time to reveal fragments of the midriff, and design houses such as Missoni, Marni and Fendi are paving the way for us fashion enthusiasts and educating us on how to achieve this trend. The runways and street of Paris, Milan, London and, New York have spotted this spring 2022 trend and it plans on staying for a very long time.

In a catwalk analysis of more than 400 designers and 10,000 items, more than 10% of looks resembled the cut-out trend.

So, for the love of all that is" hole-y," the cut-out is here to stay.

Vogue Runway Missoni SS 2023

5. Chunky Loafers

The chunky loafers have always been the favoured transition show and a pair of footwear in the 90’s that were on shoe rotation in every girl’s wardrobe. But, as with most iconic styles, they've also undergone a more modern and chunkier revamp in recent years.

Chunky loafers are the definitive representation of the grunge aesthetic as they continue to stand out from the mainstream. It’s the perfect flat shoe combination and will elevate any look.

If you still feel unsure, just know that there’s stamps of approval from celebrities such as Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber and the most important Rachel Green, the character from the Friends TV show acted by Jennifer Anniston.

Bella Hadid wearing chunky loafers with knee-high socks

Therefore, as you can see, in the year 2022, there is no excuse in fashion to stay within your comfort zone. These trends encourage us to feel confident about our style, explore different aesthetics, to find pleasure in wearing our favourite colours, textures, silhouettes, and most importantly, redefine future fashion trends.

And I can tell you right now, the innovators are out to play and will make sure that fashion trends will never be boring.