The Fashion Trends We'll Be Seeing Everywhere in 2022

A lot happened in 2021. Fashion shows resumed, the crypto market boomed and some billionaires went off to space. Whilst that all sounds lovely for those who can afford it, let's just take a second to consider just how much these concepts trickle down to influence things we mere mortals are actually familiar with. With fashion not only being fun to wear, but also having the ability to provide ongoing commentary reflective of current world events, these experiences will no doubt influence the trends of 2022. Now we're here, let’s take a look at what we can expect to see.

Whilst some of us didn’t even manage to get a holiday last year, a couple of billionaires managed to escape to space. In the world of the wealthy, space travel has been on the cards for a while now, but what does that mean for fashion?

Well, there’s likely to be some crossover. Whilst flying out to explore galaxies far, far away is a distant dream for most of us, chances are that the fashion industry will put its imagination to the test, and use the movement as a means to explore the boundaries of what is possible both in terms of new futuristic materials and silhouettes.

We’ve already seen the footwear world look outwards for inspiration, thanks to the futuristic designs of Kanye West's Yeezy Foam Runner, and Salehe Bembury’s Crocs Pollex Clog. But whilst they might look other-worldy in design, Ye's use of algae and Bembury's references to trails and nature serve as a reminder that we should still be very much focussed on what's happening to the planet we live on.

Down here on earth, we’re preparing for what the future might throw at us. The undisputable rise of Gorpcore has seen many people start to question the functional elements and technicality of their clothing, and now designer brands are starting to move into the space too. Jil Sander x Arc’teryx saw fashion fuse with function to create a collaboration that’d allow the wearer to battle the elements in style, a far cry from your standard weekend hiker 'fit.

As the idea of space travel becomes (slightly?) more accessible, we also wouldn’t be surprised to see designers throwing their names into the ring for a chance to design a space suit, or more collaborations similar to Balenciaga x NASA to capitalise on the story too. For now though, we’ll stick to the fashion-forward footwear and waterproof coats, thanks.

Although space might be off-limits (for now) for most of us, a journey into the metaverse could be on the cards. Whether you came out the other side of Facebook’s “Meta” announcement planning to buy a VR headset, or thinking, “okay but what does this mean for me?” you’re about to see a lot more of it as brands venture into the digital spaces.

The past few years have seen a huge number of brands dabble with their involvement into online spaces and communities. In 2019, Louis Vuitton teamed up with League of Legends to create a capsule of in-game accessories, and Balenciaga took over Fortnite in 2021, with both collaborations designed to make high-fashion pieces accessible to new audiences. With Facebook (or Meta’s) movement into VR, the scope to extend our own avatar’s digital wardrobe with designer clothes is possible, even if we would not be able to afford the pieces in real life.

Nike’s venture into the world of NFTs also has huge potential to change the fashion landscape. With both sneakers and digital art considered collectables in their own right, time will tell what that means for the ownership of goods. On one hand, someone may collect sneakers but neither wear nor be able to store their full collection, and could potentially look to collect a digitised version. On the other, the creation of sneaker-focussed NFTs could become something else in their own right, or simply a way to prove ownership of a physical pair.

From creating new worlds to digital-only collectables in NFTs, to new ways of authenticating resold products, the applications for fashion in the digital space are now so big and so vast that they seem endless, and no-one at this point really knows what they’re likely to be limited to, so it’ll be interesting to see how this one pans out.

Daniel Lee may have left Bottega, but the textured fabrics are here to stay. Post-pandemic dressing still sees us wanting to experiment with what we’re wearing and some of us aren’t ready to leave the cozy vibes behind just yet. We’re still seeing lots of shearling at Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta and Louis Vuitton, and expect to see a lot more natural materials and textures over the next few seasons as we look to reconnect with nature after spending so much time inside.

If you’re not crazy about colour, playing with similar colours in different textures can be a great way to elevate your outfit. Get ahead of the curve with some great fleecy pieces from The North Face, which are a great way to jump on the shearling trend, or add some fluffy UGGs or Crocs to your footwear rotation for softness and warmth.

Whilst Cottagecore and Dopamine Dressing dominated 2021, the more reserved half of the fashion crowd are much more likely to find their serotonin in the return of minimalism queen Phoebe Philo. After stepping back from her 10-year tenure at Céline (accent intended), Phoebe is set to return with her own brand in 2022. Since her departure, we’ve been missing her paired back approach to fashion, and with many people returning to office wear and muted wardrobes, a minimalist-looking refresh is much welcomed.

Whilst minimalism might not be for everyone, we’re certain to see a big push towards wardrobe basics, such as wide-legged or tailored trousers, oversized blazers, knits, and well-fitting tees. Pair these with a classic pair of Air Force 1’s, Veja’s or the it-girl fave New Balance 990s to finish the look.

Sportswear has been big for a while now, and with the FIFA World Cup set to take place in 2022, we imagine that it will stay on trend for the next year. The return of the Olympics (and introduction of skate boarding) saw SB dunks skyrocket in popularity, and the Euros had us all hunting for vintage football shirts – or at least stealing our boyfriend’s ones.

Not only this, but vintage inspired sportswear styles had a huge year, with brands such as Sporty and Rich leading the wellness and fitness-based aesthetic. With health and wellness continuing to be at the forefront of people’s minds after the pandemic, we can expect this aesthetic to continue for a while yet.

With sports and fashion crossing over more than ever (Dom Calvert Lewin has the same stylist as Harry Styles, if you didn’t already know) and footballers such as Hector Bellerin regularly appearing on the fashion week circuit, we’re more likely to see the fusion of fashion and football get even closer. The sportswear giants really stepped up their playing kit designs last year, but we’ve also seen brand collabs such as Paris St. Germain and Jordan Brand. Palace Skateboards are also set to revisit the retro sportswear scene, teaming up with Kappa for a vintage-inspired collection.

Luckily, we’re always down for some athleisure trends at TSS, so we’ll be stocking up on some Nike and adidas essentials ready for the boys to bring it home later this year.

Gucci and Balenciaga’s Hacker Project should have been the collab to end all collabs, but we reckon it’s only gonna get weirder in 2022, as now brands have a benchmark they need to beat.

Whilst we’ve seen a lot of fashion brands teaming up, we predict a few more lifestyle focussed combos coming out of the woodwork, similar to the Palace Skateboards and Stella Artois collab late last year. As brands look more towards gaming (see Gucci x Xbox) we wouldn’t be surprised to see more consoles on the cards, alongside other technology brands as we blend into the metaverse.

Heron Preston’s crossover to the automotive industry saw him designing airbags for Mercedes, Virgil Abloh teamed up with Mercedes Maybach, and just last month Yoon Ahn of AMBUSH paid a visit to Rolls Royce. The potential for collabs has become as much of a PR stunt as a way to shift product, so any industry could be a target for a hungry designer. Nike kitchenware? Balenciaga tyres? A Prada water cooler? Anything is possible.

Not only is the mini skirt back, it’s also low rise. Yes, the Y2K vibes are set to continue into the new year thanks to Miu Miu, and the ability to actually dress up and go out-out again. Joining the crop top trend, the return of the mini almost seems a direct response to post-pandemic dressing – our faces might be covered, but we’re down to bare elsewhere. Don’t panic if low-rise isn’t your thing (it’s not ours either!) high waisted styles are just as welcome here, and were seen on the runways at Fendi and Versace.

If you’re ready to reject the minimalism trend mentioned earlier, then we’ve got news for you. The mini skirt’s revival is just a small snapshot of the revival of what is known as the McBling era. Yes, it doesn’t end there, and not only are we continuing the Y2K revival with Lindsay Lohan’s comeback, Paris Hilton’s wedding and Britney Spears’ new-found freedom, but we can expect to see a lot more of Juicy Couture, rhinestones and tiny tees too. Someone tell Gretchen Weiners that “fetch” is finally happening.

How excited are you for these trends to take off? And which ones will you be wearing? Let us know by hitting us up on Twitter, or tagging us in your Instagram pics – we'd love to see how you style them!

Up next, how Crocs became the hottest shoe of 2021.