Should it stay or should it go: fashion in the new year

Evelyn Krupicka, Entertainment Editor

A model wears the layered top look with flair pants. (Style Du Monde)

In 2022, fashion continues to evolve in an ever perplexing mixture of new styles and old school trends. As a person with many opinions, I have a lot to say about the dos and don’ts of 2022 fashion. 

Tops

One thing I love to do with my tops is layering. Whether it’s putting a button-down or dickey, or fake collar, under a sweater or pairing a nice college shirt with a matching flannel, I am all for it. This look is great because it is relatively androgynous and can be worn no matter what gender identity people align themselves with. As long as we don’t bring back the 2000s Disney channel favorite of long sleeves under cami’s, layering is a timeless classic. 

I am also a huge fan of the extremes. Shirts that fit right are no longer the top trend and I am perfectly okay with that. Between crop tops and oversized sweaters, non-fitting clothes are a great trend for everyone. However, there is one thing I despise in a top and that is the one-shoulder, asymmetrical look. Asymmetrical looks can be flattering on some people, but one shoulder? No way. It creates a feeling of imbalance that can be very off putting. 

Pants

I adore the fact that people have brought back bell-bottoms and flare pants. Pair them with a nice crop top and you’re considered “fashionable” for the day even after putting in minimal effort.

Patterned pants are to die for. I absolutely love them. I will have words, though, if higher-ups in the fashion industry and influences decide to bring back low-rise pants. I don’t care if I am called stubborn, I will never succumb to the lurings of low-rise pants. 

Brittany Murphy and Alicia Silverstone wear their iconic monochrome outfits in the 1995 film, “Clueless.” (Paramount Pictures)

Aesthetics

Humanity is a fan of putting people into boxes and social media has adopted this to an extreme. People are desperate to fit into aesthetics, whether it be cottagecore, dark academia, goth or anything else. By forcing us into those categories, dressing every day becomes a chore of making sure you fit that aesthetic, rather than dressing to express yourself outside the connotations of the boxes we put ourselves in. Although I myself frequently succumb to the boxes of aesthetics, I think it is high time we dress for what makes us feel good and like ourselves and not because we want others to associate us with a certain stereotype. Of course, all this is under the consideration of dressing appropriately for the occasion, whether school, work or just hanging out. 

Forecasts

According to Town and Country magazine, stripes and monochrome are both supposed to be trends for this upcoming year. Stripes, which originated with Coco Chanel’s Brenton stripes, have great potential for a trend this year. When I think of monochrome, “Clueless” comes to mind and I can say that it can be either done well, like in the movie, or it can be done horribly like with groutfits, or grey outfits. 

Fashion leaders have much to say about what is to happen to fashion in this year. However, there are definite things that we should keep with us as we move forward. Let’s make 2022 a year of breaking boundaries and allowing ourselves to express personality without tackiness.