Despite the fashion cycle moving at a rapid speed, there are still a few trends I did not expect to see on my 2023 bingo card. Honestly, I should've got rid of any expectations once low-rise jeans made their way back with the Y2K resurgence. After that, the door to what's trending seems to have remained wide open. As a fashion editor, I've been constantly on my toes waiting for what's next because this year, everything is fair game. Don't be alarmed, because I took note of the dated trends that designers have brought back and the modern-day iterations come with stylish updates that might have been missing last time.
Not only did I collect runway evidence for each trend, but I also pulled looks from the fashion set to prove they are more wearable than your first assumption. Because I, too, had many thoughts when I heard peplum tops were spotted at fashion week. Shouldn't they have stayed in 2010? But once I saw Brandon Maxwell's sleek iteration of the style and our fellow WWW editor Eliza Huber wearing the nostalgic look, I was on board.
Ahead, discover what's old is new again. See the five "outdated" trends that have made a comeback into today's fashion scene. And as always, you can shop editor-approved finds for each.
1. Metallics
While it started out in the accessories realm, metallics have fully taken over. Pants, shoes, handbags, and even dresses—you name it, it's back. Gone are the days of shiny fabrics giving off "tacky" energy. In my opinion, it's styled best as a pop against minimal pieces.
2. Denim Maxi Skirts
While I'd like to keep a lot of Y2K red carpet looks in the past, denim skirts have always been something I've been waiting to circle back to. With the right pieces in tow, it's easy to take this piece from its once-juvenile reputation to a classic and chic one.
3. Peplums
Don't worry—the neon-colored peplum tops aren't coming back. Instead, they've been completely modernized. It's the same exaggerated silhouette but with sleeker lines and minimal materials.
4. Leggings as Pants
Leggings weren't completely out, as they remained the comfy solution for more casual days. But leggings in high fashion? It's been a minute since we've seen that. While many have opted for baggy or tailored silhouettes recently, brands like YSL and Toteme are making a case for leggings as a replacement for pants.
5. Full Skirts
This trend is still so new that searching for the right market was quite a feat. While the silhouette once gave the markings of a solely retro aesthetic, the latest styling of it feels more crisp and refreshing. (And you can thank Miuccia Prada for that.)
