Crop tops. Mushrooms. Mullets. 2022 had quite a lot to answer for, didn’t it? (In more ways than one.) Funnily enough, not all of the more out-there trends will be sticking with us as we move into a new year (phew). But as we wave goodbye to one set of fads, we find new crazes taking hold.
So what do the trend forecasters see heading our way in the next 12 months? Well, you can wave goodbye to colourful walls, because “Sopranos beige” is on the interiors experts’ mood boards, for starters. Then there’s the new Scandi obsession, Trondheim, in Norway — start booking your flights now.
Speaking of travel — “pin-drop tourism” is a thing; read on to find out more. And as for fashion? The future is here, and it involves nouveau boho, a splash of “tender peach” and a posh plaid shirt. Easy, eh?
Joking aside: the comics to know now
Benito Skinner — Insta-famous for his perfectly realised cast of characters and parodies, including an overfamiliar hairdresser and Kourtney Kardashian trying very hard to be emo — will soon be making his sitcom debut with Overcompensating, a coming-out comedy on Amazon Prime featuring the pop star Charli XCX and produced by the supercool film company A24 (Moonlight, Uncut Gems, Hereditary). Meanwhile fans of HBO’s comedy Insecure will be rejoicing because its breakout star, Natasha Rothwell, will star in her own sitcom, How to Die Alone (perhaps the title of the year), on Hulu (home of The Handmaid’s Tale and Only Murders in the Building). And Taylor Tomlinson — queen of Netflix specials and quarter-life-crisis lols — will finally be hitting the UK with shows in the spring. This is the year we can all stop binge watching old episodes of Friends and at last find some new comedy inspo.
Go crazy (again) for Queenie
If there was one novel that defined 2019 it was Queenie. The debut from Candice Carty-Williams, about a British-Jamaican 25-year-old’s messy dating life, fiery friendships and complicated family, was adored by critics and snapped up by Channel 4. Filming is about to begin (casting has been kept under wraps but will be revealed soon) and it will air later this year. Can’t wait till then? Carty-Williams has penned another script, Champion, which is already in production for the BBC. The London-set drama centres around Bosco Champion (played by Top Boy’s Malcom Kamulete), a rapper recently released from prison and ready to dominate the music scene, who is overshadowed by his own sister, Vita.
Grab a luxerjack (yes, a luxe lumberjack)
The moment Kate Moss stepped onto Matthieu Blazy’s Bottega Veneta catwalk in September as the vision of an Aspen woodcutter (post blow-dry), the humble lumberjack shirt was reborn. The Bottega shirt is crafted from leather and printed with a plaid motif, but ignore that. For your new-season wardrobe it’s back in a more traditional form. The best are reassuringly expensive: With Nothing Underneath has a lovely one in a wholesome forest green, as does Isabel Marant. The most 2023 way to wear it is open, layered over a pair of wide-leg jeans à la Moss, but you can work this look for the office too. Try layering over a smooth rollneck with tailored trousers. Men can also get involved, especially bearded types who, in their lumberjack shirt of choice, have honest woodcutter energy. Axe not essential; indeed, it will be frowned upon.
Get ready for pin-drop tourism
It’s no longer enough to talk about what part of Puglia you’d like to visit next summer or discuss which sandy enclave of the Jurassic Coast you’ll flee to in April in order to further your indulge your wild swimming obsession — 2023 is the year of being really specific about holidays. Meticulous research conducted by the travel company Plum Guide has found that pinpointing exactly which micro neighbourhood you’d like to visit and then conducting your search for accommodation accordingly is the new way to holiday. It helps that it has never been easier to do. Searches are motivated by everything from restaurants with buzz around them to neighbourhoods featured in TV shows (of course the area around the San Domenico Palace in Taormina, Sicily, is said to be booked up for most of 2023 thanks to The White Lotus). Early hits include Oltrarno in Florence and Castello and Cannaregio in Venice — both handily positioned for Michelin-starred restaurants — while in Paris the Place des Vosges is a favourite. Emily in Paris has a lot to answer for.
Hey, it’s Che Díaz (again)
They’ve been called “TV’s most hated character” (New York Post), “the worst” (Daily Beast) and “most annoying” (Bustle). But what if And Just Like That’s most divisive player, Che Díaz (played by Sara Ramirez), is about to have a surprise second act? The new series of the Sex and the City sequel, coming early this year, won’t have the return of Samantha Jones (although Aidan is coming back) but it might have a redemptive arc for the podcast host everyone loved to hate. “I want to show the dimension of Che that people didn’t see, for whatever reason — because they were blinded, out of fear or terror,” the show’s creator, Michael Patrick King, said recently. The nonbinary love interest of Miranda could just be our telly mood board inspo for the new year; who would have guessed that when we were laughing along to all those “Hey, it’s Che Díaz” memes? “One of my burning passions about season two is Che,” King says. You have been warned.
Pilates – but make it turbocharged
So you like HIIT? Or do you prefer HIRT (high-intensity resistance training)? Joining the wonderfully confusing world of unnecessary fitness acronyms this year is HIIP — that’s high-intensity interval pilates. Instead of burpeeing, lunging and mountain climbing, attendees rotate between exercises on reformer boards and different mats with stability balls, exercise bands and Pilates rings. Try it online at peachespilates.com.
Ping! Microwave cooking makes a comeback
There was a time when the mere suggestion of a ready meal would make a domestic goddess shudder. The shame! But those days are long gone. In November a survey found that nine out of 10 people would be happy to be served a ready meal at a dinner party. They also said they no longer expected hosts to spend the evening slaving away in the kitchen. So pick up a copy of Justine Pattison’s book Ping! when it comes out in June. It’s filled with delicious meals that only need to be zapped for a few minutes.
Bada bing! Start painting your house Sopranos beige
The Sopranos beigecore is back! That comforting creamy aesthetic of late Nineties/early Noughties nostalgic decor is seeping into our design subconscious: think the Soprano family McMansion in New Jersey as the unlikely interiors icon — OTT marble medleys mixed with shades of tofu, oatmeal and ecru. Don’t forget to add some dashes of Mob wife gaudiness: chintzy pelmets! Dado rails! Gold-rimmed glassware! That telly in Tony and Carmela’s bedroom perched on a Greco-Roman column!
Embrace the new New Black
The colour once adored by goths and fashion types is back with a bang. But did black ever actually go away? No, not really, but this year it will enjoy a whole lot more airtime, especially where your “out-out” wardrobe is concerned. Come the awards season expect to see big fashion players casting shade on the red carpet as moody gowns by Valentino and Alaïa dominate. Come the warmer months we expect black will continue to rule, adding a sense of polish to even the most inelegant of summer wardrobes. “New” black (not to be confused with its more conventional and pedestrian incarnation) should be worn from head to toe with body-hugging silhouettes and interesting textures. Let the darkness descend.
Meet FLO, your new favourite band
Despite the re-emergence of the Spice Girls, All Saints and, um, B*Witched, we have been severely deprived of new girl bands of late. However that’s all about to change with FLO (all uppercase, just in case you think they don’t mean business) — a trio (Stella Quaresma, Jorja Douglas and Renée Downer) who are bringing back the best of classic Y2K R&B songwriting with a fresh twist.
“The world always needs girl groups. Especially since Little Mix have left a hole since going their separate ways,” Quaresma tells us over the phone. The band, who have had 20 million plays on Spotify and have just won the Brits rising star award, describe their sound as “best of old meets new”, citing the likes of Mariah Carey and Brandy as influences.
There’s an authenticity on display when you hear tracks like the garage-leaning Cardboard Box and the recent single Summertime, which may have something to do with the fact that Quaresma and Downer went to secondary school together. “When we all came together for the first time to sing, it was really special and we knew we were going to start something,” Douglas says.
They call their forthcoming debut “iconic”, although they won’t say who they have collaborated with. However, they will acknowledge how important their musical foremothers were. “The Sugababes have paved the way for us,” Downer says. “They were the original cool girl group. They’re the reason why people are craving British girl groups again — it’s so inspiring how they took risks in their music and were super innovative.”
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi? 2023′s dating lingo
Wanderlove: Bored with scouting the apps and seeing the same faces? Wanderlove may be for you — it’s about being open to starting a relationship with someone long distance.
Longdezvous: A long date in the hope of getting to know someone better. Just make sure you know them well enough to know they’re not mega boring first.
Dawn dating: Dinner and cocktails? So last year. The date of choice in 2023 is an early morning walk followed by coffee or a relaxed mid-morning brunch — but we draw the line at an 8am spin class.
Hey-voidance: Breaking the ice on a dating app with “hey” ... groundbreaking. Hey-voidance is when you steer clear of anyone who starts the conversation with something that boring.
Pen pal: People on apps who message you every day asking how your day was (yawn), but never suggest actually meeting up. Mute!
Tactical untyping: Finding your usual footie-going, beer-guzzling type isn’t really working out? Shock. Time to tactically untype and go for someone who’s the total opposite instead.
Insta-boyfriends: That guy who likes every post, replies to every story, sends every meme. Your good, solid, reliable boyfriend — but only in the world of Instagram.
Get the ruppie cut
Inspired by George Michael (Wham! era), Princess Diana (circa her Sloane Ranger bounce) and early Bananarama, the ruppie — retro-yuppie cut — is going to be big in 2023. It has already been seen on the catwalk at Miu Miu and is a joyful riposte to post-pandemic ‘dos such as the wolf cut and the mid-length bob. “This look has a glamorous feelgood factor that harks back to the excesses of the Eighties,” says the hair historian Rachael Gibson. “It takes time, tools and products to style, which in itself suggests a mood of celebration and getting dressed up again.” She believes the ruppie will “see slightly less of the heavy layering”, but thinks “if TikTok’s obsession with the Dyson Airwrap is anything to go by, that floppy fringe won’t be getting in anyone’s eyes any time soon”. Cans of hairspray at the ready...
Reconsider the bimbo
If last year was about us taking a long hard look at the way we perceived women from the past (see Britney and Janet Jackson), this year is about challenging the perception of the bimbo. Yes, bubblegum pink shows no sign of quitting on the catwalk (big at Burberry, Chanel and Christopher Kane), but pop culture will give us more to chew on. There are documentaries on Anna Nicole Smith (also to be the subject of a biopic) and Pamela Anderson: two blonde bombshells who were never able to control their own narratives. Anderson has an autobiography coming out at the end of the month too. Meanwhile Barbie, the most hyped (and most pink) film of recent times, will finally be released this July. Directed with an arched eyebrow by Greta Gerwig, it is set to change the “dumb blonde” archetype for ever. We can’t wait.
Tender Peach is your new neutral
Life isn’t black and white and neither are fashion’s go-to neutrals. Instead, we have French grey (Dior gris if you’re going super luxe), powder-room pink and navy. This season there’s also a fruity twist in store — a colour Pantone is calling Tender Peach (no bruises welcome). On the catwalk Erdem and Issey Miyake experimented with the shade, while the influencers’ favourite paint brand Lick has launched Orange 05 in its honour. Expect to see everything from cotton slub T-shirts and socks to Instagram-worthy front doors in the colour. Oh, and wear it with navy, darling.
Nouveau boho has arrived
The catwalk is saying boho is back (at Celine, Etro, Gucci and Isabel Marant), so Stevie Nicks, queen of the peasant blouse, over-the-knee boot and tapestry shawl, is set to have a very present 2023. Taylor Jenkins Reid’s book Daisy Jones & the Six is coming to the small screen on March 3 — starring Elvis’s granddaughter Riley Keogh. The tale is inspired by the story of Nicks and her lover/bandmate/muse Lindsey Buckingham and also stars boho Pinterest inspo Suki Waterhouse and Sam Claflin.
Drink a ... beetroni?
Thought beetroot only belongs in a salad? Think again. It’s popping up on cocktail menus across the country. Duck & Waffle, the London restaurant famous for its 24-hour dining, has added the Tough to Beet to its offerings, in which the root vegetable is the hero ingredient. It’s blended with cacao-infused rum and coconut for a sweet, chocolatey (and slightly earthy) taste. Elsewhere the award-winning Manchester speakeasy Science + Industry’s Garden of Eden cocktail combines beetroot-infused gin with sour apple syrup, maraschino cherry liqueur and chocolate bitters. While the Watermark Bar, in Leeds, has put a wintry spin on the negroni and called it Enigma: gin, vermouth and Campari infused with dried carrot, rosehip, black tea, cassia bark, orange peel and (yes, you guessed it) dried beetroot. And on the mega-savoury side, at the new Notting Hill bar Viajante 87 beets are found in its Smoked Earth cocktail, made with lacto-fermented carrots and red cabbage. It might not sound it but we promise it’s delicious.
Sleaze gets serious
This year sleaze is not the political kind (although we’re sure there will be plenty of that). Instead the dodgy and dark is celebrated on celluloid. There’s the return of the male stripper in the form of the true crime drama series Welcome to Chippendales starring Nicola Peltz Beckham and Kumail Nanjiani (Disney+ from January 11) and Magic Mike’s Last Dance, the third part of the film franchise, out on February 10. The indie sleaze music scene gets the big-screen treatment with Meet Me in the Bathroom, the documentary featuring the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the Strokes, out this month, and an Amy Winehouse biopic in the works, with Industry’s Marisa Abela the favourite to play her. They tried to make us go to sleaze rehab: we said no, no, no.
The rise of wild partying
Everyone has heard of wild camping and wild swimming — well, now there’s wild partying. Gather your crew, head for the hills and get as close to nature as you can. No tent required — it’s more disco naps under the stars in a sleeping bag to minimise Fomo. Choose a spot not too far from a car park — everyone will need to muck in to cart the wine boxes, beer, party speakers and food to the site, as well as remove all the rubbish at the end (leave no trace, remember). Old-timers know to bring bunting and fairy lights, a trowel (for burying your “compostables”) and coffee-filled flasks for the morning. Duties are typically delegated to chief of cocktails, chief of tunes, chief of butties, chief of games, etc. Don’t worry about the air-mattress-induced sleep deprivation — memories of that fade much more quickly than those of all the fun.
Latest holiday brag: Trondheim
Forget Oslo and Bergen, your new Scandi obsession should be Trondheim in Norway. Whether you want an action-packed skiing ‘n’ sledging outing or a large slice of foodie heaven, this city (Norway’s third largest) has it all — as well as excellent options for gourmands (the restaurant Credo is Michelin-starred, while Kalas & Canasta is popular with locals for its cosy intimacy). If you fancy something to do in between meals, there’s some serious modern architecture to swoon over, plus a host of museums and hip art galleries to visit (Yellow Korner, Galleri Ismene). Go midyear to enjoy those long summer days. The new Copenhagen? Ja.
Return of the (really) dirty weekend
Ah, the dirty weekend, that stalwart of the Brighton and Blackpool B&B. It will feel very tame now, though, because holiday futurologists are predicting that not only will the couples trend be back this year, this time it will be niche, since 36 per cent want to book polyamorous retreats, bondage camps and resorts dedicated to delving into fetishes and kinks. It all sounds ... quite exhausting to us — we get stressed thinking about how many pairs of pants to pack, let alone which type of pleather whip will travel best.
Modern life is still rubbish (sorry)
Cool Britannia is heading back our way, with a slightly paunchier gut, greying temples and a rather tattered Union Jack Gucci dress. Yes, our favourite misfits, mis-shapes and charmless men are back in the form of Suede, Pulp and Blur, who are all touring. More reasons for fortysomethings to squeal with delight: the Nineties-set novel One Day is getting a reboot on Netflix; and Alexander McQueen is bringing back the bumster. So now you know what to wear when you swig your snakebite and black as you sing the wrong words to Disco 2000.
And finally ... the trends to leave behind in 2022
Jockstraps for ladies: From Lady Gaga’s colourful range to Kim K’s Interview cover — 2022′s underwear revival still chafed (ouch!)
The Ick: Have you heard of this thing called “settling”?
Crocs Jibbitz: Take them back to the nursery where you found them.
‘It’s giving’: Much overused, semi-ironic phrase on Instagram. It hasn’t given us anything except mild irritation.
Cutout confusion: We weren’t sure which was the head hole and which was the armhole. Being “sexy” became too much like hard work.
Bag spreading: The lady version of manspreading. But with a bag. A big bag filled with stuff taking up a seat. Lip gloss, curling tongs . . . is that an iron?
Metaverse: We’ve heard it so much it sounds like a threat.
The Pennaisance: The prosthetic peen was the big TV talking point (from The White Lotus to Minx). This year it will be the bum’s time to, er, shine.
The trainer sock: Half in, half out — it poked from your shoes like a nosey neighbour.
Toe rings: We just weren’t Goopy enough, sorry.
White trainers: Two words: Liz Truss.
Wordle: A five-letter word we wanted to “play” when anyone started talking about it was: NOOOO.
Coastal grandmother: Was the TikTok “trend” for dressing like one of The Golden Girls just a load of bored-looking OAPs lost in a seaside art gallery? Discuss.
Bouclé everything: Step away from the highly impractical, yawningly predictable cream and bobbly chairs/poofs/cushions/headboards.
Baby bonnets: Bella Hadid you were not.
Butter boards: Artfully slathered butter topped with crackers, fruit and nuts? We’ll take a grazing table any day, and that’s saying something.
Men in halterneck tops: The day our Chalamania died.
Laminated brows: Gravity-defying brows that look like you’ve stuck your finger in a plug. We’ll pass.
Shullet: A mix of the shag haircut and mullet (see Billie Eilish, and Sandra Bullock in Bullet Train). A mullet was still a mullet, mate.
(Another) celebrity beauty brand: If you wouldn’t have Gwen Stefani’s music in your ears then you certainly shouldn’t have her make-up on your face.
Picantes: The tequila and agave cocktail with a kick that’s became a synonym for, um, basic. Sorry.
- Additional words: Karen Dacre, Hannah Evans, Victoria Brzezinski, Phoebe McDowell, Roisin Kelly, Scarlett Russell, Fleur Britten, Kate Spicer
Written by: Priya Elan
© The Times of London