As we embark on a new year, a new season of fashion unfolds with anticipation and excitement, offering a glimpse into the trends that will dominate 2024. Bid farewell to the “clean girl” era as the messy “mob wife” aesthetic takes over Instagram feeds, magazine pages and Pinterest boards setting the stage for bold and audacious fashion choices.
Furthermore, 2024 heralds a new era for the fashion industry with the growing prominence of slow fashion, encouraging us to cherish our clothes and curate wardrobes that echo timelessness, sustainability and most importantly, a sense of evolving personal style.
1. Mob Wife
In a defiant departure from the subdued elegance of the “clean girl” trend that dominated 2023, the fashion landscape is now ablaze with the bold “mob wife” aesthetic. As social media, particularly TikTok, fuels the rise of this flashy and unapologetically over-the-top style, fashion enthusiasts are trading quiet luxury for a look inspired by iconic mob wives such as Carmela Soprano and similar characters from films like “Scarface” and “Goodfellas.”
The trend encompasses voluminous blowouts, smoky eyes, over-lined lips, and a mix of chunky gold jewellery, vintage faux fur coats, and animal prints. But attitude is the ultimate accessory in this trend. This trend is perfect for college students. Personally, I never had time for a 7-step morning routine or sleeking back my hair. Just mix dark circles with dark eyeliner and nobody will know that you stayed up all night to work on an assignment!
This extravagant trend embodies a fearless, assertive attitude that dismisses societal norms. In 2024, let’s make everyday fun and be dramatic in what we wear. Going in for one lecture? High-rise boots. Meeting a friend for a quick coffee? Don’t forget to put on all your rings! Whether you opt for a fur coat or a mini skirt, this trend offers an empowering escape from the constraints of matching tracksuits and Uggs, making it a formidable force in 2024 fashion.
2. “Grandpa-core”
“Grandpa-core”, is a very lazy and practical trend that is a more comfortable continuation of the preppy trends and “coastal grandma” aesthetic of 2023. Inspired by the timeless fashion sensibilities of our beloved grandfathers, “Grandpa-core” is characterised by funky sweater vests, vibrant cardigans, and vintage loafers. This eclectic aesthetic, although wildly different from the “mob wife” trend, has secured its place in major fashion trend predictions for the upcoming year.
Embracing the diverse styles of grandpas, from tweed blazers and pageboy hats to trusty windbreakers and worn sneakers, this trend opens up endless opportunities for a nostalgic journey into vintage fashion.
Although the idea of shopping for vintage pieces isn’t new, there has definitely been a shift in public opinion in recent years which has resulted in a newfound appreciation for pre-loved clothes. This can be seen on the streets of Dublin and we have an array of good vintage and charity shops in the city to thank for that.
Comfort is at the forefront of this Grandad-inspired style, but you can play around with it. Paring work pants with an oversized knitted cardigan and loafers may sound dreary, but with an open mind and accessories, you can easily elevate the look. It’s not what you are wearing, it’s how you wear it.
3. Accessories and Individuality
Invest in accessories and jewellery over clothes in 2024. You heard it here first! Styles come and go, and everyone gets fed up with their favourite top or jeans after a while, but a nifty belt or a pair of chunky gold hoop earrings will always save the day when you’re lacking fashion inspiration going out the door.
Jewellery and accessories, in my opinion, always elevate an outfit. A plain jeans-and-a-t-shirt fit can be brought from a 5/10 to a 9/10 with the help of layered necklaces, a cool hair piece, or an animal print bag. But don’t run to Penneys for cheap jewellery that will tarnish and turn your fingers green, sustainability is a key theme this season as the industry moves away from fast and disposable fashion, so try instead to invest in a small number of quality pieces.
But investing in good materials doesn’t need to be expensive. Charity shops are great places to seek out one-of-a-kind pieces that won’t break the bank. These pieces will show off your individuality and personal style too. So if you’re not doing it already, give it a go, it’s so much fun. Don’t be shy in 2024 – elevate the fits.
Eva Megannety – Reporter
