Just when you think a trend may be gone for good, a buzzy designer or it-girl will breathe new life into it. This statement stands strong as ever, as the current list of what’s cool in fashion pulls from the ’60s to the mid ‘2000s, and no solid prediction of what could come next. Fashion is cyclical, and it’s only natural that things will come back in style. That’s why even when I report on certain pieces being “out”, I always remind the reader that it’s up to them to decide what’s worth keeping or tossing. And while I’ve grown familiar with the pattern of trends coming and going, a few items that came down the 2023 runway collections still took me by surprise.

In light of discussing 2023 fashion, I scoured the runway and identified a few trends I wasn’t expecting to make back around the cycle this year. Y2K is still keeping a strong hold on us with bootcut jeans in the Blumarine and Givenchy collections. (Gen Z has already shown their favoritism toward the style, along with baggy denim.) The ’80s is also asserting influence, with metallic and polka dots leaning far away from their once “tacky” identity. I won’t spoil it all right here, so you’ll just have to keep scrolling to see the rest.

The choice of print for the fashion set as of late has been stripes, but designers like Sergio Hudson and Proenza Schouler are making a strong case for polka dots. The print is iconic and can be done with taste, contrary to what the mid-‘2000s might have made us think. 

Metallics are no longer what you solely look for when picking an ’80s costume or a New Year’s Eve outfit. Yes, the once-deemed “tacky” trend is now beloved by the fashion set. Just take a quick scroll to the market and you’ll see that instead of adding a costume-like touch, the modern pieces will end up elevating your outfit.

It seems like these days everyone is reaching for everything but skinny jeans. But if baggy or wide-leg isn’t your cup of tea, a bootcut may be the ideal silhouette for you. 

Animal print coming back in style is inevitable, but I did not predict leopard print to come back into popularity this quickly. (I still own my leopard print items from college, so maybe I was holding onto some hope after all.)

When trends come back around, they may still come with drastic differences. This is the case with wedges, as instead of cork or beach-style sandals, wedges now offer a contemporary touch. Think leather boots, vinyl sandals, and strappy slingbacks.

Next, I Study Trends for a Living—These 7 Are Guaranteed to Go Viral on Instagram