We’re 23, 24, and 25—We’re Buying These 4 Trends and Skipping These 3

When it comes to navigating trends, Who What Wear editors know their way around the block. Apologies for tooting our own horn, but we’ve become experts at navigating through the hundreds of pages of new arrivals, the latest collections, and photos on the internet of what everyone’s wearing. We also like to keep a focus on every market but have recently leaned into a focus on the Gen Z shopper. So we decided to take some insight from our Gen Z editors who have pretty similar tastes and are always chatting about what’s new—from the buzzy bag on our wish lists to the red-carpet fashion moment that has everyone in a tizzy. Many people may make an effort to steer away from their age stereotypes, but Gen Z has decided to embrace them full-on.

Below, we polled the under-25 crowd at Who What Wear to get insight into what trends they’re prioritizing in 2023 and which they’re passing on for now. Style is subjective, so this is by no means a “do and don’t” kind of story, but feel free to take inspiration where you find it. And a fair warning: These picks may just be popping up on your algorithm soon enough.

Buying: ’90s Minimalism

Skipping: Fashion Leggings

“I was born in 1999, so by the time I was old enough to make my own style decisions, elevated staples and ’90s silhouettes were hard to come by. Tragically, I entered middle school right around the time galaxy-print leggings became a thing. Now that I’m settling into adulthood, I find myself veering away from the loud trends that ruled my childhood and exploring the vintage resale market for cool, timeless pieces like blazers and slip dresses that will live in my wardrobe forever. I don’t think I’ll be partaking in the ‘fashionable’ resurgence of leggings quite yet. After growing to feel the most comfortable in loose pants and breezy skirts, I just don’t enjoy wearing skin-tight bottoms anymore—no matter how comfortable the fabric is. Even when I work out, I opt for shorts or skorts, so the idea of wearing leggings as pants is especially difficult for me to warm up to.”

Buying: Athletic Sneakers

Skipping: Sculptural Heels

“I don’t know if it’s the undue influence of training for the New York City marathon this year or the number of times I’ve seen ‘bloke core’ on my TikTok FYP, but I’ve found myself trying and buying more and more athletic sneaker styles instead of my classic white trainers. Bella Hadid’s black Adidas Sambas have been a huge point of reference, as well as Onitsuka Tiger sneakers I picked up while on a recent trip to Japan. Frankly, they’re easy to wear and a much bigger conversation starter than the white leather sneakers I wear 24/7 while commuting on foot in New York City. I will be passing on sculptural heels. Yes, I’m 24, have back pain, and skipping heels this season. While I’ve never been a heels girl (I’m already 5’9”), the emerging sculpted heels trend isn’t for the faint of heart or for the hot girls who have back problems. While I’ve tried my hand at this trend with a pair of ultra-comfortable Song of Style sandals, I only reach for them on certain occasions when I know I’ll be sitting for long periods of time and not wobbly. Although I wish I was a chic, New Yorker walking down the streets of SoHo in a pair of alien-looking pumps, they’re just not for me. “

Buying: Maxi Denim Skirts

Skipping: Fashion Leggings

“I’m really excited to see denim maxis still on the rise in 2023. It feels nostalgic while still super forward and interesting. I’ve always loved a long skirt, but the denim flare in multiple washes is speaking to me right now. As we head into spring, I’m noticing that I’m gravitating toward looser silhouettes, so I’ll be passing on the fashionable leggings trend this year. I love how it looks paired with oversize tops and coats, but it’s proven to be difficult for me to style so far, so I’m sticking to bigger and baggier bottoms.”

Buying: Metallics

Skipping: Sheer Fabrics

“Sheer fabrics look phenomenal on the runway, but I find them hard to translate IRL. As a modest dresser, I’d have to play around with extreme amounts of layering and I’d rather pass on the extra work. If I’m going to make a statement, I prefer something more versatile like metallics. I’ve been adding a pop of silver or gold to so many of my outfits lately and it looks great every single time.”