The New Year means that it’s time to evaluate the past year and figure out what you want to change in the next year, or in this case, the next decade! What does that mean, fashion-wise? Here are the 2019 fashion trends in review.
We’re looking back at the previous year with this report from the global fashion search platform Lyst that combines two hundred million searches from a hundred million plus shoppers over twelve thousand stores. We learned a lot about what we’ve worn in 2019, what we’ve coveted and what we might be searching out in the next decade.
Check out the report for yourself if you want a deep dive into 2019. But we’ve pulled out a few highlights and of course shared our opinions.
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2019 Fashion Trends Review
2019 Fashion Trends: Sustainability Is Still In Style
Who can really argue with wanting more environmentally friendly fashion? We’re definitely all seeking out more sustainable pieces, and more people than ever were looking for organic cotton, repreve and tencel in 2019, with a focus on sustainable denim and sneakers. The most wanted denim on Lyst? Weekday’s Row organic cotton jeans.
Our Thoughts? An automatic YES. Making your wardrobe more ethical and sustainable (and examining what that really means beyond just the label) is a trend that can and should continue. Brands like the aforementioned Weekday’s Row, Nisolo, Pact, Cuyana, Everlane and more all make strong sustainability claims (and we’ve shared our selections), but we advise you to always investigate before you invest. In addition, companies like Eileen Fisher, Patagonia, and even Zara now let you bring in pieces to be recycled in exchange for a discount on new merchandise.
The (90s Retro) Mood Is Whatever You Want It To Be
There’s really no common look and that’s definitely a good thing, so whether you are into the 90s resurgence or not, there is no denying that it’s coming back to the racks. And yes, there are ways to capture the 90s feel while still looking modern. Searches for Fendi baguettes and Paco Rabanne were way up (anyone else having a Sex & The City nostalgia moment?). And we’ve seen the crushed velvet, slip dresses, plaid skirts and the like in stores for a while now.
Our Thoughts? While we think that the style adage “if you wore it the first time around, you should skip it the second time” holds true there are some exceptions. Get the updated version and donate your older pieces to consignment shops and thrift stores for the next generation to discover. That said, we are fans of the wide leg pants like these from Uniqlo, a little bit of well-placed neon like this Aqua cashmere set in highlighter yellow, and even some tie-dye like this Treasure & Bond tee from Nordstrom.
Streetwear Isn’t Going Anywhere (And It’s Everywhere)
There’s no denying the fact that streetwear was a 2019 fashion trends and has gone 100% mainstream and Virgil Abloh’s Off-White was the most searched-for brand of 2019. Plus the 90s tracksuit look is back with a vengeance.
Our Thoughts? Streetwear can work for everyone, it just takes the right attitude. Our tip for rocking the streetwear style over 40? Go luxe and stick to tried-and-true classics. Everyone can rock classic Adidas Superstars, or splurge on a high end version from Alexander McQueen. And keep the monochrome look going with this tracksuit from Adidas Originals x Daniëlle Cathari – you can wear the jacket with jeans or the pants with a basic tee as well if you don’t want to do the full tracksuit look.
Which Celebrities We Loved In 2019
Meghan Markle was everywhere in 2019 – and on many best-dressed lists thanks to her chic and somewhat minimalist style. Younger celebrities like Zendaya and Billie Eillish also topped the search lists, while stars like Cardi B and Jennifer Lopez were also popular.
Our Thoughts? The Duchess of Sussex’s looks exemplify chic at any age, so taking style cues from her will rarely steer you wrong. And Jennifer Lopez seems to be growing younger every day, so while you might not want to wear her crop tops, her ultra-luxe coats, shoes, and handbags can definitely be inspiring. For instance, she just wore the Longchamp Le Mini Pliage Cuir and gave us a whole new set of feelings about that classic top handle bag.
Gen Z stars can be a little harder to take style cues from, yet looking to them for accessory cues can be a good idea. For instance, Zendaya’s delicate chains (check out this choker from Gorjana) and thin hoop earrings like these from Isabel at Anthropologie will work for any age or era, and the same goes for stacking on the necklaces like Billie Eillish.
Shapewear Is Officially Everywhere
Shapewear has gone way beyond something that you strictly buy in the lingerie department and desperately hope no one ever sees (don’t we all remember that scene in Bridget Jones’s Diary?) to being a crucial part of our wardrobes.
Our Thoughts? We’re happy for more and better options in the shapewear department. And although we don’t think anyone should feel that it’s necessary, we tend to prefer the confidence boost! Brands like Miraclesuit know what they are doing with shapewear slips like this one, or go for a bit of the “shapewear as outerwear” look with these faux-leather Spanx leggings.
What We Might See And Buy In 2020 And Beyond…
Our predictions for the next decade? There will be more inclusivity in fashion overall. The increase in searches for gender neutral fashion in the Lyst report shows that the desire isn’t going anywhere. Next, there is going to be an increase in K-pop and other Asian influences in 2020. Asian skincare and Asian beauty trends are already huge around the world, so it only goes to follow that fashion is next. Finally, we think the rise of ethical and sustainable fashion will only continue – and that is for everyone’s benefit!
What did you love in 2019 and what do you think you’re going to be buying and loving in 2020?
– Jacqueline Zenn
You may like to read more of Jacqueline’s styling posts for women over 40 like How To Do Winter Athleisure When You’re Over 40 and How To Wear Puff Sleeves When You’re Over 40.
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