From dopamine dressing to dystopia-core, these are the fashion trends and aesthetics expected to take over young people’s lives this year…

Although sweatsuits have, indeed, dominated the last two years' fashion, new (non-comfy-oriented) styles have developed during the pandemic. You already know that cottagecore was the vogue in 2020, and that other aesthetic-based fashions like dark academia also became more popular last year. Of course, Y2K-era fashion, which we've already mentioned has been popular for a while, particularly with Gen Z, has also gotten more popular.

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With the return of low-rise jeans (sorry, Millennials), cutout mini-dresses, lace-up tops, and sequin tops (think Euphoria-inspired fashion), as well as "indie sleaze" (a.k.a. the Tumblr aesthetic of the 2010s), which is inspiring searches for platform boots, sheer tops, and "naked" dresses, experts predict that 2000s-inspired looks will continue to blow up in 2022. 

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But new fashions are also arriving with the new year. What fashion trends will young people be clamouring to explore in 2022? We just told you about the beauty trends that young people will be driving this year. In addition to using our own data to analyse some of the most popular fashion and style predictions made by celebrities and industry experts, we identified five trends that could be popular with Gen Z and Millennials in 2022:

1. Dopamine Dressing & Maximalism

Young customers supported the athleisure and loungewear sector surge at the start of the pandemic by dressing comfortably at home when confined. However, when lockdown limitations started to loosen, an increasing number of young people started experimenting with mixing and matching brilliant, colourful clothing and vintage items to express themselves as they headed back out into society. This style has come to be known as "dopamine dressing." Whether it's a pop of colour or a daring look, the trend is all about "dressing boldly with brilliant and colourful accessories.

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” Instagram predicts that maximalist fashion will take over as young people use it “as a vehicle for joy, optimism, and self-expression.” Trendalytics is also predicting that “joyful fashion” will be a hit this year, with searches for tulle midi-skirts up 158%, sequin trousers up 147%, and feather trim dresses up 138%. One 25-year-old told Harper’s Bazaar: “Because of the pandemic, my style had a rebirth,” describing her new style as “Bratz Doll gone thrift shopping.”

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Similar to dopamine dressing, distinct styles are already gaining traction online. Take #clowncore, a vibrant new aesthetic that draws inspiration from clowns' traditional garb. It's "balloon trousers, bows, and polka dots—with a maximalist fashion flare," according to Refinery29. Therefore, when the new year warms up, Gen Z should start stocking their closets with bright and vibrant apparel and accessories.

2. Dystopia-core

Of course, every trend has its antithesis, and dystopia-core may be the counter-trend to dopamine dressing. Maybe it was inevitable that young people would develop an aesthetic inspired by the pandemic after almost two years. A fresh take on grunge from the pandemic era, "dystopia-core," is influenced by dystopian movies like Dune and The Matrix Resurrections. The fashion is characterised by long leather jackets, cargo trousers, and black everything. Several "dystopia-core" ensembles can be found on TikTok with the #AvantApocalypse hashtag, which has had over 300K views. The goth and emo punk rebirth that has been sweeping social media in the past year is another major influence on the look.

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According to a fashion professor, the trend is "a reaction to the current post-apocalyptic atmosphere," adding that having to deal with global issues has led young people to adopt apparel that is both practical and "symbolic of the shield we've been forming around us." Our study reveals that Gen Z and Millennials are interested in a variety of fashion trends, including outing attire, colourful ensembles, and more subdued minimalist styles. This suggests that "dystopia-core" and "dopamine dressing" can coexist as young people continue to use clothing to reflect the times.

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3. Casual Luxury

According to a recent luxury report, the majority of consumers aged 13 to 39 believe that luxury brands should produce some things at affordable prices so that more people can buy them. We've already discussed the luxury brands that young consumers want to purchase. "Everyday casual" is anticipated to be popular as young people resume going out, according to Page Six. According to Lyst, "quiet luxury," which is defined as modest, neutral-toned wardrobe essentials, will be popular this year as well.

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Their report noted that searches for white shirts are up 40% and searches for wide-leg suit pants are up 25%, while free-flowing shapes are also in, with “oversized” and “maxi” are among the most popular keywords for dress searches while searches for “oversized shirts” have increased 84% over the past two months.

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Elsewhere on the luxury side, searches for leather loafers, spurred by Prada’s Monolith “It” shoe, have climbed 70% as well. Celebrities like Cardi B have been recently spotted wearing luxury brands like head-to-toe Dior while running quick errands, like taking her newborn son for a stroll. In the last year, luxury fashion brands have been infiltrating TikTok to reach young consumers—and we told you how TikTokers were using the #CheapestThing, which currently has four million views, to show off the cheapest item they could buy from luxury brands like Chanel, Gucci, Prada, and Hermès. Celebrity stylist Quammie, who has styled actors like Candyman and The Matrix Resurrections star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, told Page Six that “couture is starting to feel more approachable and wearable.”

4. Pearlcore

You are already aware of trends like cottagecore and lovecore that are delicate and softer. Pearlcore, however, is one of the most recent "core" fashion fads that has been extremely popular recently. The yearly trend report from Pinterest claims that pearls have become the "go-to accessory and decoration." The brand puts "pearl gown" and "pearl ring" among the hot search terms, but it's also anticipated to become a wardrobe need. Deni Todorovi, a fashion consultant, asserts that pearls, despite their frequent association with "preppy aesthetics," will give "edge, texture," and a "beautiful iridescent sheen," to anything from street style to red carpet appearances. For instance, Barbie Ferreira's "pearl-encrusted dress" from the movie Euphoria was among the most talked-about Met Gala ensembles of last year.

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Celebrity stylist Amanda Sanders told InStyle that fashion designers have been making pearls appear more youthful to attract younger generations. Pinterest also reported that pearls could potentially “make a dent” in menswear this year since “pearl necklace man” also made the top search terms in the category, which has been influenced by male celebrities who have constantly been spotted wearing the accessory, including Harry Styles, A$AP Rocky, Shawn Mendes, and Pharrell. Pearlcore has been described as “cottagecore meets regencycore” and have been linked to the rise in “royalcore,” thanks to shows like Bridgerton, The Crown, and The Great. So far, the hashtag #pearlcore has over 71K views on TikTok and of course, with Bridgerton premiering its highly anticipated second season in March, we can imagine the “pearlcore” trend will only to continue to explode.

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5. Grandpacore

Listen up, folks. Dressing up like your grandparents is totally hot right now. Last spring, the Wall Street Journal reported that Gen and Millennials were starting to get into “grandpa style” and looking to the elderly in search of more “invigorating” clothing. The appeal is their “effortless and fresh” styles that don’t follow fads and trends—comfortable looks that “skews more elegantly traditional than normcore.” On TikTok, the hashtag #grandpacore has 12.4 million views, and Instagram accounts like @gramparents and @chinatownpretty have been sharing the bold and timeless fashion choices of older generations, and it’s clearly striking a chord with young consumers. According to Trendalytics, “grandpacore” is expected to be the new normcore in 2022 and will especially be a hit in the men’s fashion space.

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Grandpa sweater searches increased by 157%, relaxed jeans by 5%, and oversize cardigan searches by 173%. Lauren Rae Vigneron, a stylist and the founder of the styling and consulting agency LRL Group, predicts that cable knit sweaters and "dorky designs" will be in style this year. She cites Harry Styles as an example of a young celebrity who has become a pioneer for the movement. While Gen Z and Millennials appear to be appreciating and even copying older generations' innovative and timeless designs as young customers go beyond loungewear, the fashion and cosmetics sectors frequently ignore the older demographic.

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The grandpacore trend also aligns with our Cult of Ugly trend research, and is an extension of it, as young people look to their grandparents’ closets for future style inspo.