Ask anyone who sits near me in the Who What Wear office, and they will, without hesitation, tell you that I'm not a safe person to ask about buying into trends. I don't have an ounce of self-control when it comes to clothes, shoes, and accessories, and I want those around me to act accordingly. But even a certified trend maniac like me sometimes grows tired of them. When that happens, I know I can count on chic anti-trend staples to get me through.
First, I want to clarify that being classified as anti-trend doesn't mean something is boring. In fact, I'd argue that for a piece to be considered anti-trend, it must be good enough to have outlived the trend cycle and entered into the very exclusive "timeless" category. Think cat-eye sunglasses, trenches, button-down shirts, and a stellar pair of black strappy sandals. They'll be cool forever—no matter what's trending—making them the best investments.
Below, see which summer trends I'm passing on in favor of some more classic anti-trend items that I can count on no matter what.
Trend: Bra Tops
Anti-Trend: High-Neck Tanks
Though bra tops can be a fun option for certain events, I want to invest only in pieces I can wear anywhere and with anything rather than ones that only work for a few occasions. That's why I'm mostly skipping the trend in favor of high-neck tank tops that are beyond easy and look good no matter what they're paired with.
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Trend: Sporty Sunglasses
Anti-Trend: Cat-Eye Sunglasses
I exclusively wore sporty sunglasses not too long ago. Need proof? Read this. But when you only wear super trendy items, you often quickly become tired of them. That's exactly what happened with those shield-like shades I used to wear. One style of eyewear I never get tired of is cat-eye sunglasses. I always fall back on this retro and chic style. It's by far the best style to invest your money in.
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Trend: Early '00s–Inspired Asymmetric Dresses
Anti-Trend: Halter-neck Dresses
I can't be the only one seeing asymmetric, sheer dresses like those popular in the early '00s by designers like Jean Paul Gaultier all over my feeds. And while I'm not mad about their resurgence, I'm also not jumping at the chance to buy a ton of the styles for summer. Instead, I'm choosing a forever silhouette that's flattering and gorgeous every time: halter-neck dresses.
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Trend: Micro Miniskirts
Anti-Trend: White Cotton Skirts
I've owned my fair share of miniskirts during my 27 years. However, I likely won't be adding another to my collection in 2023. Instead, I'm focusing that portion of my shopping budget on white cotton skirts with just the right amount of volume and a classic silhouette that feels too perfect for summer to resist.
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Trend: Platform Flip-Flops
Anti-Trend: Simple Strappy Heels
I've been telling my friends to skip platform flip-flops and prioritize more classic sandals since the '00s style repopularized a few years back, but many didn't listen. And yet, here I am again, trying to convince them of the staying power of timeless, strappy styles.
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Trend: Puff-Sleeve Blouses
Anti-Trend: Poplin Button-Downs
Though one puff-sleeve blouse will come in handy when your outfit appears otherwise lifeless, your wardrobe doesn't need dozens. It would, however, benefit from a few new poplin button-down shirts, which can be styled in dozens of different ways, from tucked-in to unbuttoned and loose.
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Trend: Quilted Jackets
Anti-Trend: Classic Trench Coats
Quilted jackets had their moment a few summers ago but have since lost momentum, as many buzzy trends do. A lightweight outerwear item that never loses steam? Trench coats.
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Trend: Split-Hem Jeans
Anti-Trend: Relaxed Denim
In my opinion, denim is sacred and shouldn't be messed with very often. I don't want purposely distressed jeans, colored jeans, or ones so skinny that they cut off your circulation. Instead, I'm a fan of the classics: relaxed, comfortable denim that's existed for decades.
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Trend: Low-Rise Maxi Skirts
Anti-Trend: Pencil Skirts
We've discussed the rise of low-rise maxi skirts on Who What Wear. They're trending on runways and social media alike. However, if I had to pick between them and my favorite high-class pencil skirt, I'd pick the latter every time.
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Trend: Mini Bags
Anti-Trend: Top-Handle Totes
I feel very strongly that handbags should be able to fit your necessities (and then some) rather than hinder you from being able to carry things as simple as your cell phone and lipstick. Such is why I've completely given up on mini bags and will forever favor top-handle totes with plenty of storage space for my long list of must-have items.
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This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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