The last year Gen Z style can be roughly summed up in three characters: Y2K. The aesthetic has been defining trend of TikTokers and fashionistas alike. “Style-wise, the term is synonymous with the Gen-Z-adored aesthetic which harks back to the early aughts,” explains Hello! Fashion’s Orin Carlin, “These days, the list of Y2K devotees is growing ever-longer, but the likes of Dua Lipa, Bella Hadid and Lily-Rose Depp deserve a special mention.”
In 2022 alone, Depop saw a staggering 57% increase in searches for Y2K items, a category that has maintained, and consistently grows in popularity on Depop year on year. But as we look to the year ahead, what’s next for fashion’s most talked about sartorial group? What trends will we see emerge in 2023?
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“Fashion has always been reflective of our collective sentiments and emerging trends in wider pop culture,” explains Steve Dool, Brand Director at Depop, “At Depop, it’s no surprise that we are seeing trends bubble up earlier and earlier each year. As we step into 2023, our community will continue to drive innovative ideas about self-expression, reigniting previous points of inspiration and more nuanced connections to past style eras, all in service of an evolving, new style confidence.”
The peer-to-peer social e-commerce company has predicted five trend immersions for 2023, namely Aquascape, Grunge Sleaze, Retro-Fits, Celestial and New Neutrals. Steve explains, “On Depop, these trend predictions are trackable via search and demand from existing users in-app, informed by key cultural moments like upcoming blockbuster film releases, a new class of cultural tastemakers and, to some degree, what we have seen fresh off the runway this season.”
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Gen Z’s 2023 fashion trends (according to Depop)
Grunge Sleaze
The Y2K aesthetic has been one of the most popular categories, search terms and hashtags on Depop over the past few years, as we often see trends emerging earlier on Depop, before they become mainstream. Following grunge-inspired collections from Bottega Veneta and Diesel and an iteration of the biker-core trend we spotted in 2022, Depop’s community are subverting Y2K aesthetics and subcultures into a darker space, rebellious, curated ugliness. Searches for “Grunge Sleeze” have alone seen a 176% increase* in searches and with a 100% increase* in searches for oversized denim and baggy silhouettes and a 101% increase* for leather, shoppers are channelling their inner Julia Fox for the year ahead. In the accessories space, racer-inspired sunglasses a la Bella Hadid are trending.
Bottega Veneta SS23
Aquascape
We saw it first earlier in 2022, when the Coastal Grandmother aesthetic took over TikTok feeds and Pinterest boards alike. This year, Depop users are re-inventing the key motifs - shells, iridescence, coral tones and scallop hems - through a Mermaidcore lens. Evoking the siren, looks inspire a sense of escapism and romance, and the trend is only set to soar with the release of The Little Mermaid later this year. On Depop, we’ve seen an 88% increase* in searches for Mermaidcore, and a 31% increase* in nightgowns or vintage slips - perfect for recreating the fluid forms of Di Petsa, and JW Anderson’s Spring 23 Collection. Aquamarine is the standout theme, with a 276% increase* in searches for sea-themed inventory such as ‘sequins’ on Depop. Corsets also continue to grow in popularity with searches increasing by 392%*, while searches for ‘Pirate Boots’ have increased by 500%* at the end of 2022.
JW Anderson SS23
Retro-Fits
Retro never goes out of style, and Depop’s community are channelling ever revolving eras of inspiration - from the rigidity of the 50s through to the fluid nature of the 70s and 80s. Colour blocking and layered textures are in, with searches for vibrant hues and striped pieces on the rise. With the sartorial Persuccess of Harry Styles x Harry Lambert, Depop has seen an 171% combined increase* in searches for waistcoats and knitted vests, and a 15% growth* in searches for flares - a category that continues to be one of the most searched terms on the platform. Expect 80s influences to rise when Greta Gerwig’s Barbie drops in Summer.
Dior AW20
Celestial
Disco glam had a moment in 2022, with Dua Lipa and Valentino’s Spring 23 collection setting an example for a resurgence of the space age look. Depop’s community are searching for everything from chain mail (+256%)* to feather trims (+209%)*, shoulder pads (40%)* to cut out bodysuits (+91%)*, as they combine the extreme with the feminine. Searches for Zodiac motifs - sun, moon and star prints - are on the rise with a 64% increase*, as an interest in astrology continues to permeate social feeds across the globe. Expect to see a rise in the space age 2.0 look, as big blockbusters Dune 2 and Barbarella hit the screens later this year.
Valentino SS23
New Neutrals
While 2022 saw the introduction of oversized tailoring and scandi influences - in part thanks to tastemakers Hailey Bieber and Matilda Djerf, this year we’ll see genderless, androgynous combinations take over our Insta feeds. Depop users are searching for oversized blazers, cargo pants, and dad jeans, adding masculine elements to elevate their outfit. TikTok created the ‘hot girl walk’, so naturally searches on Depop for sweatshirts and hoodies have risen 68%*, while the basics to pair with them have seen an 38% increase*. In the accessories space, searches for oversized bags are on the rise (+48%)* as we embrace a new era of events and regained connections.
The Row SS23
*Percentage increases reflect search results between January - December 2022
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