ELLE Replay: Fashion Trends That Were All Over Our FYP

Talk about maximal and quirky!

trends

In 2024, we were over bows and coquettes (sadly). Instead, we saw a revival of many surprising trends as well as maximal and fun ones, making it a year of bold fashion statements and a bit of nostalgic charm. From runway revolutionaries to red carpet surprises, this year’s fashion trends have been nothing short of unpredictable, playful, and full of character. If you thought 2024 would be all about sleek minimalism, think again! This year, fashion embraced the dramatic, the quirky, and the unapologetically extravagant. So, buckle up as we dive into the most memorable trends of the year!

Mob Wife Fashion Aesthetic: Power, Glamour, and Drama

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If you thought the Mob Wife aesthetic was a thing of the past, think again. In 2024, this unapologetically dramatic and powerful look has made a triumphant return.It's a celebration of bold femininity expressed through key stylistic elements. Think strong silhouettes: figure-hugging dresses that command attention, and tailored suits with powerful shoulders that exude authority. Luxurious fabrics are essential to this aesthetic, with leather, silk, velvet, and fur (real or faux) contributing to the opulent feel. Completing the image are statement accessories: large gold hoops, chunky necklaces, and other bold jewelry pieces that amplify the sense of extravagance. Dramatic makeup, featuring smoky eyes and bold lip colours, along with voluminous, often teased hairstyles, further enhance the dramatic effect. Versace has been a leader in this trend  with its strong blazers, form-fitting dresses, and prominent use of animal prints, that perfectly embody this vibe. Mob Wife fashion in 2024 wasn’t just about looking fierce—it was about owning every room you walked into, with an unmistakable sense of drama.

Butter Yellow: A Soft, Sweet Escape

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In a sea of bold colors and daring prints, butter yellow emerged as the calm, refreshing hue of 2024. The key element is the specific shade itself – a pale, creamy yellow — applied to various textures, from smooth silks and satins to cozy knits and textured cottons. It's often paired with soft neutrals like cream, white, and light beige for a monochromatic or tonal look, or contrasted with bolder colors for a subtle pop. This trend has been prominent on the Spring/Summer 2024 runways. Prada, Jacquemus, Loewe, Zimmermann, Collina Strada and more incorporated butter yellow into flowing dresses, sleek separates and more. Phillip Lim offered a more tailored approach, featuring a butter yellow three-piece suit that demonstrated the colour's potential for sophisticated dressing. On the red carpet, celebrities have embraced butter yellow with enthusiasm. Aubrey Plaza wore a striking butter yellow Loewe dress at the 2024 Emmy Awards, solidifying the colour's red carpet appeal. Sabrina Carpenter further embraced the trend with an embellished butter yellow gown at Variety's Power of Young Hollywood event. These examples highlight how butter yellow has transitioned from the runway to real-world style, solidifying its status as a key colour trend of 2024.

Brat Dressing: The Rebellion We Didn't Know We Needed

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Out with the old and in with the bratty, rebellious spirit of 2024! Thanks to our favourite Charli XCX, “Brat dressing” made a huge splash this year. Key elements of this trend include vibrant neon colours, particularly lime green, oversized graphic tees under plaid skirts, a mix of sporty and girly elements and the sort of outfits that say, “I don’t care, but I still look amazing.” Accessories play a big role, with chunky jewellery, oversized sunglasses, and baseball caps adding to the playful and rebellious vibe. While not always explicitly showcased on high-fashion runways, the "brat" aesthetic can be seen in street style and among celebrities who embrace a more playful and experimental approach to fashion

Corporate Core: Power Suits and Office Chic

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Remember Bella Hadid sweeping us off the floor with her gray Yves Saint Laurent oversize suit. The Corporate Core trend took over 2024, reviving the sharp, polished power suits that defined the ’80s and early ’90s but with a modern, sleek twist. We saw oversized blazers paired with structured trousers, waist-cinching belts, and a whole lot of sharp tailoring and the colour palette typically leaning towards neutral tones like black, white, gray, and navy, but can also incorporate pops of colour or subtle patterns. This trend was all about embracing the boardroom aesthetic, but making it fresh and fashionable. It has evolved beyond the traditional office setting, becoming a versatile and stylish choice for various occasions in 2024. Over this year, many designers showcased their versions of corporate looks. Yves Saint Laurent leading the band followed by Miu Miu for slutty office wear, Victoria Beckham for soft corporate core, Proenza Schouler for a more relaxed interpretation. A major inspiration for this trend was served by our favourite entrepreneur Hailey Bieber with oversized coats and blazers perfectly showing us who the real boss is! 

BlokeCore: The Sporty, Rugged Look

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BlokeCore is the trend that gave sportswear and jerseys a new lease on life in 2024. The look is all about an effortlessly rugged, sporty vibe that combines elements of streetwear and athletic fashion—think tracksuits, and sneakers with a particular emphasis on the widespread wearing of sports team jerseys that scream laid-back cool. The trend is evident in street style and social media, where individuals are seen sporting jerseys from various teams and eras, often styled in unexpected ways. For instance, a vintage football jersey might be paired with tailored trousers and loafers for a more elevated take on the trend, or a basketball jersey could be worn over a dress or skirt for a more feminine and contemporary look. This widespread adoption of sports jerseys by the public in 2024 solidifies BlokeCore's place as a prominent and evolving trend which, according to my guess, will continue in the next year as well. This trend is proof that sometimes, the best fashion statement is one that you don’t have to try too hard for. It’s casual, it’s cool, and it’s here to stay.

Boho: Free-Spirited and Fun

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The boho trend made a major comeback in 2024, but this time with a bit more refinement. This year’s take on bohemian fashion mixed free-spirited vibes with a touch of luxury. Flowing maxi dresses, loose-fitting blouses with peasant sleeves or embroidery, and wide-leg pants or skirts were everywhere. A key collection for this trend is Chloé's Fall/Winter 2024 collection, which many critics cited as a major force in Boho's return. Under the new creative director Chemena Kamali, the collection featured flowing chiffon dresses, billowing tops tucked into jeans, and accessories like studded flats and wooden clogs, evoking the brand's iconic early 2000s Boho aesthetic. This collection, in particular, has been widely referenced as a key moment for Boho's resurgence. Sienna Miller (so happy to see our boho queen back!), Daisy Edgar Jones, Sydney Sweeney gave us the major looks in this trend in 2024

Animal Prints: Wild, But Refined 

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Animal prints were everywhere in 2024, and we’re not just talking about the classic leopard spots. From zebra stripes to snake prints, the animal kingdom was out in full force this year. Designers like Roberto Cavalli and Saint Laurent reimagined animal prints making them feel both wild and refined. From classic outerwear like coats and jackets to dresses, skirts, blouses, and even shoes and handbags, animal print's versatility is on full display. While many of us still hate the animal prints, the revival has compelled us and maybe given us a chance to once again reconsider our choices and have fun with the print and show off our bold and untamed style! 

Bag Charms: Fun, Flirty, and Fantastic

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In 2024, bag charms were the ultimate accessory to add a pop of fun to your bags. These playful little trinkets—from plush animals to metallic monogrammed tags—were seen dangling from the handles of everything from luxury totes to casual handbags. Designers like Coach, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Loewe, Hermes and more embraced the charm trend, creating cute and abstract charms separately for bag decorations. Inspired by the iconic Jane Birkin, many other celebrities — Dua Lipa, Gigi Hadid, Anne Hathaway jumped on the bandwagon of this trend which quickly trickled down to street style. This trend added a touch of personality to any handbag and for me has to be one of the cutest trends of 2024! 

If one thing is clear from the trends of 2024, it’s that fashion has no intention of slowing down or playing it safe. As we look ahead to 2025, it’s clear that we’ve only just begun to experiment with style. One thing’s for sure: fashion in 2024 was never boring, and we can’t wait to see what’s next!

 

Also read, Travelling Back In Time: Fashion’s Archival Moments of 2024 

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