We have high hopes for 2022. Carrie Bradshaw is back. Espresso martinis are the collective drink of choice. The desire to wear something other than a sweatsuit has taken hold. In other words, we’re feeling all kinds of optimistic.
And while making (er, breaking) our resolutions and dreaming up vision boards, we realized something. Aren’t our outfits their own kind of affirmations? When you need a confidence boost, put on a catsuit. If you want to be more carefree, go cottagecore. Feeling bookish? A tweed blazer it is. Our closets can help us set intentions, and this year, that intention is to dress as chic as ever.
Here are the top 2022 fashion trends you can score on a budget—and the pieces to splurge on instead. Happy manifesting.
Save
1. Y2K
Yes, early aughts fashion is en vogue again, and yes, low-rise jeans have made their way back into the mainstream. But if you’re team “when they go low we go high,” don’t panic—there are other ways to dress a la Lizzie Mcguire (baguette bags and butterfly clips, anyone?).
Topshop
Rib Collared Crop Shirt
H&M
Wide Leg Twill Pants
Sanctuary
Ruched Boyfriend Top
1.State
Cold Shoulder Sweater
BB Dakota
Tie Dress
BB Dakota
Faux Leather Shirt Jacket
Etsy
Name Necklace
Etsy
Butterfly Studs
H&M
Lavender Joggers
Eloquii
Patchwork Denim Jacket
2. Mismatched prints
Checkerboard prints, plaids, and other unexpected patterns are must-haves in 2022, and we’re planning to mix and match them all year. Press pause on the neutrals and go bold with geometric shapes, zebra stripes, and flirty florals.
H&M
Sweater Vest
Lord & Taylor
Jacquard Sweater
H&M
Swirled Sweater
Bardot
Floral Blouse
MINKPINK
Anisah Ruffle Top
Eloquii
Shirred Mesh Top
Sanctuary
Boyfriend Shirt
Free People
Retro Bodysuit
3. Fringe and feathers
Talk about fringe benefits—the modern-day flapper look can be dressed up or down, romantic or edgy. You decide. Catch us wearing fringe from head to toe—we’re that obsessed.
Nasty Gal
Feather Blazer
Antonio Melani
Silk Feather Top
Hazel and Olive
Feather Tank
Femme London
Feather Top
Zara
Fringe Knit Vest
River Island
Fringed Sweater
Zara
Fringed Leather Handbag
Nasty Gal
Tassel Jacket
4. Oversized everything
Mini mini skirts are in this year. So are tiny crop tops that at this point we should just call bras. Maybe they deserved a spot on this list, but if we’re being realistic, the oversized button downs and boxy jackets seen on the runways are (in our opinion) more effortless and easier to style.
Abercrombie & Fitch
‘Oversized Button-Up
H&M
Shirt Dress
Everlane
Boxy Oxford
Everlane
Oversized Crew
Amazon
Oversized Turtleneck Sweater
H&M
Cable-Knit Sweater
SNDYS
Hills Oversized Blazer
Zara
Double Breasted Jacket
5. All the hats
You’ve mastered the outfit. Now you need something to top it off—quite literally. The easiest, most on-trend choice should involve some sort of hat. Bucket hats, beanies, and baseball caps will be everywhere this year, so why not get ahead of the curve?
’47
Yankees Hat
Madewell
Wool Beanie
H&M
Houndstooth Bucket Hat
Abercrombie & Fitch
Sherpa Bucket Hat
Invest
1. Dark academia
Imagine you’re a student in the 20th century, attending a boarding school in England. You’re wearing a chunky cardigan, tweed skirt, and leather coat. Scholarly and sophisticated, you’re never seen without a book in hand. This is the dark academia aesthetic, and while it’s TikTok-approved, it’s also a look that will stand the test of time.
Sam Edelman
Tweed Coat
Eloquii
Plaid Blazer
Wilfred
Cashmere Cardigan
Theory
Turtleneck Sweater
2. Knee-high boots
The knee-high boot isn’t back—it just never left. Any outfit is complete with a pair, from a date night dress to casual leggings. Versatile and statement-making, this is our definition of a closet staple. BRB, leaving our ankle boots in the corner and splurging on some knee-highs.
VINCE
Kendra Knee-High Boot
Nine West
Knee-High Leather Boot
ALOHAS
Crocodile Embossed Leather Knee-High Boot
Sam Edelman
Waterproof Platform Boot
3. Pearlcore
As you may already know, pearls are having a moment. They’re on handbags and headbands. They’re on the sleeves of our sweaters. And we can’t get enough. But unlike certain trends, pearls will always be a classic, which is why they’re worth a little more. A made-to-last piece will elevate your look for years to come. Go on—the world’s your oyster.
Mejuri
Bold Pearl Necklace
Mejuri
Bold Pearl Drop Earrings
Missoma
Baroque Pearl Claw Bracelet
Missoma
Seed Pearl Beaded Choker