If the 2024 fashion trends were anything to go by, the year has been, in a word, chaotic. Thanks to Instagram algorithms and TikTok FYPs, it felt like sweeping trends—and smaller microtrends—were introduced and discarded every week. While some faded out faster than we could shop them or understand them (looking at you “Eclectic Grandpa Aesthetic”), others seemed to catch on globally, taking over the fashion conversation for months at a time.
The Mob Wife aesrhetic was perhaps the most widespread microtrend of 2024. When it came on the scene in January, people worked overtime to source Adriana LaCerva-approved vintage furs, bodycon leopard pieces, and French manis. Oasis fever briefly took over our feeds as the newly-reconciled Gallagher brothers announced their 2025 tour dates, reigniting a brief spark in the Britpop aesthetic. Bubble skirts were the only bottoms anybody wore in anticipation of warmer weather, but swiftly gave way to all things Brat green as Charli XCX’s screed became the official vibe of summer 2024—and even played a role in the presidential campaign.
Other TikTok-dictated fashion trends that had their moment in 2024? The western aesthetic (thank you, Beyonce!), cardigancore (can’t argue with the comfort factor), a very literal interpretation of the seemingly stubborn Y2K aesthetic, balletcore, the Indie Sleaze trend, loud luxury, oversized bags decked out with charms—the list goes on.
Offline, luxury fashion went through a round of musical chairs at the top, the scale of which has not been seen in decades and whose effects will be felt most sharply in 2025. In December, Chanel appointed former Bottega Veneta creative director Matthieu Blazy as the new artistic director, while former Carven designer Louise Trotter took over for Blazy at Bottega.
Your head spinning yet? With the hectic pace of the internet morphing our concept of time, it could be hard to identify the news that wielded true lasting power. Thankfully, we’ve been documenting them all along the way. As we head into what will no doubt be another action-packed year, we look back at the best fashion trends that shaped 2024.
The Mob Wife aesthetic
The Mob Wife trend got its start last October when TikTok user and self-described “mob wife CEO” Sarah Arcuri posted a video wearing black leather, animal print, a messy updo and chunky gold jewellery. Then in the first week of 2024, TikTokker Mikayla Toninato doubled down on the glamorous, messy appeal of the aesthetic, with teased hair and cocooning looks. Their looks were dubbed “mob wife” as they were reminiscent of the most iconic women in mafia movies, be it Drea de Matteo and Edie Falco in The Sopranos, Sharon Stone in Casino, or Lorraine Bracco in Goodfellas. And a little closer to home, this year’s ITV show Joan starring Sophie Turner served up a smorgasbord of delicious boxy, ’80s looks complete with fur coats and big diamonds.
The Y2K Comeback
Oops, we did it again. In a time when trends are shifting monthly, or sometimes even weekly, the sartorial freedom of early 2000s fashion seems to be resonating with Gen-Z-ers currently dictating fashion. At least, that’s our theory for what’s driven the resurgence of Fendi Baguette bags and pedal pushers. It’s a throwback to a hedonistic way of dressing, of putting together clashing, at times kitschy clothes that are just fun. And what’s more fun than pretty butterfly clips and carefree slip dresses?
The naked look
2024 was undeniably the year of the naked dress. Nearly every red carpet has been flooded with sheer, cut-out, nipple-baring, or other such revealing details. In fact, nearly half of the most viral red carpet moments of 2024 include tasteful nudity in some form. Don’t believe us? Even the Duchess of Cambridge having joined in in proving that they can be super high fashion, flattering, sophisticated and sexy. But of course, our nearly-naked dressing queens are still Miley Cyrus, Doja Cat, Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, and Zendaya.
Bubble skirts for all
To paraphrase Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada, any trending fashion item owes its origin story to the runway, and the balloon skirt that dominated our sidewalks this summer is no exception. Tory Burch, Staud, Conner Ives and Molly Goddard are just a few beloved brands that have incorporated the voluminous bottom into their recent collections, and Amy Lynn’s puffball dress made it onto the Lyst Index’s most coveted items of 2024. Since the summer, however, the bubble skirt has given way to the Space Barbie aesthetic, a more futuristic take on the peplum courtesy of fashion-forward labels like JW Anderson and Marques Almeida.
Brat Summer
There was no escaping it. It was on the streets, on our radio, and even penetrated the highest offices of government (hi Kamala Harris). We’re talking about Brat of course, the feral, club-rat aesthetic inspired by the Charli XCX album, which itself was a “sonic equivalent of a grimy, sweaty dance floor” describes Glamour UK writer Meg Walters. It gave us the license to lean into our messiest party-girl tendencies and give the sleek clean girl aesthetic or “hot girl summer” the middle finger. Think: chipped nail polish, slime green, and big, bratty “it” bags.
Bag charms
It began with Miu Miu‘s boxy purses decked out with silk pouches and luggage tags on the autumn/winter 2024 runway, Balenciaga‘s latest Rodeo bags adorned with giant keys and locks and Coach‘s oversized totes with kitchy New York City trinkets like the Statue of Liberty jangling from the straps. The bag charm trend hit fever pitch when the It-girls at Copenhagen Fashion Week (where most fun-filled, color-splashed trends tend to emerge, really) began attaching everything from key chains to stuffed toys to their designer handbags. Finally, TikTok coined the term “Jane Birkin-ifying your bag” as the new way everyone was accessorising their totes, and the bag charm secured its spot at the top of 2024 fashion trends.
Cowgirlcore
We spotted them on the boldest street-style stars last year, but thanks to the likes of Beyoncé and Bella Hadid, the cowgirl aesthetic giddied-up to the top of the trend chart this year. Nearly every designer or high street brand hopped on the movement; Khaite, Louis Vuitton and Mango, just to name a few, offered shirts with contrasting seams and studded suede bags. Klarna reported a 162% increase in purchases of cowboy boots since September of last year proving ranch-style is more than just for Glastonbury.
Leopard
Other animal prints come and go, but our love affair with leopard print remains unmatched. Perhaps it’s the fact it goes with everything, or that despite its bold appearance it can still be used in an elegant manner, but leopard print is timeless and loved by many—it’s just another neutral, really. After flooding the runways from Dior to Rowen Rose, recent months it has seen a surge of appreciation thanks to the likes of Rihanna, who stepped out in a delicious shearling-lined coat and mini skirt – her fierce, feline look immediately making headlines. Then Ashley Graham was papped in a figure-hugging leopard dress in the concrete jungle (had to) of NYC. As temperatures took a dive, everyone reached for warm, earthy hues from chocolate brown to burgundy, and so too did leopard print re-enter the spotlight as everyone’s go-to way to spice up a monochromatic look.
Oxblood
From Gucci to Hermès to Chanel, models were dripping in oxblood (sartorially speaking, of course) on the autumn/winter 2024 runways, and it was the wine-coloured bags that have trickled onto the streets. While the sensual colour is often a favourite across ready-to-wear and accessories for cooler climes, we’ve seen red carpets and FYPs alike doused in the hue, as everyone donned the slick, sophisticated colour from top to toe. As for the bags? Structured shapes reigned supreme, from boxy clutches at Hermès to the rectangular Hug bag at Ferragamo.
This story first appeared in Glamour UK.
The post The Best 2024 Fashion Trends Were Chaotic, Silly, and So Much Fun appeared first on Glamour.
