What a year it has been for TikTok trends. And when it comes to fashion, there have been some corkers this year. While some TikTok fashion trends come and go, there’s a few that hang on in there for a while longer, standing the test of time over the course of 2023.
This year, there was no shortage of TikTok-bred fashion trends. There were a few seasonal, some in celebration of certain big screen releases (you know exactly what film we’re referring to) and others that spun off the back of some of 2023’s biggest cultural moments, like Gwyneth Paltrow’s viral court case. From the hyper-feminine “girl” trends — read: #CoastalCowGirl and #TomatoGirl – to the year’s ruling visual aesthetics — #Barbiecore and #Mermaidcore — some of the most major fashion moments from this year were inspired by TikTok content.
We’ll admit, we didn’t dig them all. For starters, our fashion editor Charlie was well and truly over pink by the time Barbie hit the big screen, while other trends like #SoftGirl and #VanillaGirl seemed to herald an emphasis on stereotypical femininity and whiteness. Not what we’d call very inclusive.
On the other hand, there were other trends that we simply could not get enough of. #CoastalCowGirl gave us a chance to dive headfirst into a boho-meets-country look, while #TomatoGirl offered the chance to infuse every day in the dreary old UK with the colours and feelings of a Mediterranean holiday.
All in all, it’s been a year of creativity, experimentation and self-expression — and TikTok has been at the helm of it all. Here are 2023’s biggest fashion trends, according to the platform…
Barbie style is all about looking pretty in pink. And while Barbie pink was everywhere over the summer thanks to Greta Gerwig’s record-breaking film, the hue actually belongs to Pierpaolo Piccioli, as far as fashion’s concerned. Valentino’s creative director dedicated his entire autumn/winter 2022 collection to the hot pink shade, which was developed in collaboration with Pantone. And it was going nowhere in 2023.
By the looks of things, our Barbie obsession isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Just this month, Sydney Sweeney paid homage to the pink-loving doll on the red carpet.
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One of the hottest trends of the summer is a look that needs a resurgence in time for the New Year. Iridescent, silver, or otherwise watery colours in clothing or makeup are a must. Braids and fishtail hairstyles, accompanied by beachy or wet-appearing waves, are also frequent trend staples.
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Whilst the hyper-feminine, pastel-hued look first appeared last autumn, the style made its stealthy return in 2023. Think puff-sleeve dresses, peplum tops, polo shirts, and cosy cardigans for the perfect autumn look.
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Similar to last year’s #CoastalGrandmother, which combined beach-wear with simple fashion, the #CoastalCowgirl combines coastal living with a Western aesthetic. The result is a unique look that stands out in any environment and represents carefree living.