2023 Predictions
No. 44
Welcome to Style / Substance, a bi-weekly newsletter about personal style and confidence, the business and psychology of fashion, with features on outfit ideas, styling tips, product, and brand recommendations - all to make your life easier and to ensure you present your best self. You can subscribe here and, follow me on Instagram at @LauraKSawyier, + subscribe to my YouTube channel here. Thank you!
6 Style + Fashion Industry Themes to Look Out For This Year
Increased Intentionality
This year will usher in a rise in personal inquiry and clarity in new preferences. It’s a positive. When you show up as yourself, you are creating the space to be happier, more self-accepting, and in turn, more accepting of others.
With this exploration of self so comes discovering new brands and exciting new clothing, accessories, and shoes to try on and test-drive. At a time when brand loyalty is decreasing, the brands and retailers who serve you up products in real-time (and who have responsive quality service) will be the real winners. We’re seeing a shift in the automobile industry as a bellwether due to limited supply and price hikes coupled with growth in EVs.
Fluid fashion is also on the rise and will become more mainstream. Propelled by Gen Z, sizing charts, marketing, and merchandising will not be dictated to a specific gender. One of the most famous examples was Brad Pitt late last year attending the “Bullet Train” red carpet, having a very ‘why not?!’ approach to wearing a skirt.
As you read, you’ll see that intentionality is the thread reflected in all the other trends.
Inflation Won’t Slow Shopping Down
Despite inflation and geo-political tensions, people will keep spending, but it will be split. As luxury buying increases slowly, so will affordable products from reliable brands (yes, this includes Crocs).
Demographics engenders the two-pronged behavioral model. According to the Business of Fashion and McKinsey’s The State of Fashion 2023 report, “Customers may seek out lower-priced retailers and discounts, particularly in younger cohorts. Over 75 percent of US Gen-Z and Millennials said they are taking steps to manage finances, compared with Gen-X’s 64 percent and Baby Boomers’ 53 percent.”
The slow split increase rang true throughout the holiday season as sales rose 7.6% (slower than the 8.5% from the previous year), thanks partly to heavy discounting. Purchasing power will fare well for high-income individuals during trips abroad (due to a strong dollar) but will tamp down discretionary spending domestically for all other consumers.
Resale Will Reach New Heights
Resale, rental, and repair will dominate in 2023 as part of circularity and ongoing efforts to engage in sustainable consumption. The market is poised to reach $82B by 2026.
According to WD Partners, 71% of 2,500 participants surveyed buy, sell, shop, or trade used products at least once a month, signaling growing interest and comfort level in recommerce across all demographics.
The previous decade included vintage platforms as the leading marketplaces, but there is a shift to brands now dominating market opportunity. More brands are jumping on the bandwagon to launch resale platforms adjacent to new products on their websites, and digital outlets, or “factory” sites, are on the rise.
Greenwashing will continue this year, but brands and businesses will be called out more for misleading representation. There is no global standard for sustainability within fashion, but more businesses (34% of the world's largest companies) are committed to a Net Zero model.
Less to Pack, Less to Stress
If there is anything that 2022 taught us, especially at the close of the year, smart packing reduces stress in many areas of life. You either witnessed it firsthand—I did by traveling on Christmas Day—or saw it splattered all over the news. The flight frenzy returned today.
There will be an upswing in simplified packing (no more checked suitcases) with versatility at the core and personal style packed in. Being separated from your bag is the worst kind of delay, so be sure your in-cabin luggage meets airline standards before rolling up your t-shirts. Pack light, and don’t forget to swap out all your toiletries for containers under 3.4 ounces.
Capsule Wardrobe Redefined
A new kind of capsule wardrobe will replace the old model.
The traditional capsule has existed because it offers a streamlined approach to efficiency and effectiveness by reducing wardrobe count to the bare minimum with the maximum pairing of pieces. But you look like everyone who image-searched it, and you're bound to get bored quickly. Just because it seems easy and basic doesn't mean it's for you.
The new capsule will consist of as little or many pieces in your collection that you reach for without hesitation—but the makeup is entirely your own. This will require some effort, but the new capsule is your capsule and unlike no other. Meaning you can't google or life-hack it entirely.
Workplace dress codes are becoming more casualized (even the Marines are loosening the grip), and more people are showing up for fine dining in sneakers. Read the room and know your lifestyle while capitalizing on experiences to insert your flair and the convenience that comes with it. You'll start seeing it more.
Statement-Making Sticks
Dressing up for all special occasions will take on a fresh, glam look. A reallocation of wallet share balances with casual wear and elevated statement-making outfits. In fact, "The global high heels footwear market size is estimated to increase by $2.39 billion from 2022 to 2027." Going-out tops will stay popular, too.
Sure casualization has increased since the stay-at-home days, but don't let this surge in comfort dressing fool you into thinking it's only sweatpants and trainers in shopping carts. Within context, more expressive dressing—look at Michelle Obama's style evolution—will crystalize this year. It may also cause some panic about 'what to wear.'
Look out for lace, macrame, satin, metallics, sequins, and electrified colors as brands and retailers start to roll out seasonal collections.
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One More Thing…
Hi friend,
Happy 2023!
I’m celebrating 5 years in business this month. FIVE YEARS! I launched LKS Styling & Consulting with the intent of helping at least one person feel really good about themselves at one point throughout their day—within the medium of fashion. This is still the case.
And to no surprise, it’s expanded beyond merely what and how we wear into areas like confidence, self-expression, efficiency, authenticity, and community.
My desire and joy to serve you has grown alongside my growing business. All thanks to you. Whether you’re a styling client, speaking or consulting client, subscriber, event attendee or collaborator, brand partner, cheerleader, avid reader & viewer, or referrer, you make this journey my golden ticket to happiness and success.
I hope 2023 brings you lightness, health, time with loved ones, and the presence to appreciate it all.
Thank you, and cheers to all that’s to come this year!
x L