A Hot Take on 2024's Worst Fashion Trends... and Best
Many fashion insiders love what I've named as the year's worst, and that's okay.
To welcome the new year and let go of the old one is to reflect and reminisce about the last 365 days, be it the trips, the memories, and the fashion.
Like always, some trends throughout the year left a lasting impact, helping new items become staples in our wardrobes where they didn't quite make sense before. Others, however, feel better left in the past. You'll know these by looking at them in old photos and instantly feeling scrunch across your face... remember jeggings? Fashion's fluid nature allows itself to continuously evolve, and that can mean making a couple missteps along the way.
2024 was no different. The year was jam-packed with changes, from creative directors to micro-trends courtesy of TikTok. From mesh ballet flats to the comeback of jorts and rise of Brat green, there are many moments to look back on. Sometimes trends are too ahead of their time, others are right on the money, and others are just plain bad. Below, I wrote my hot takes on the worst fashion trends of the year (regardless of how loved some of these actually are) and the best ones, which I'll keep playing with in 2025.
Keep scrolling for a brutally honest reflection on 2024's fashion trends.
Best: Colored Tights
Amid the minimalistic "quiet luxury" trend that stayed strong in 2024, colored tights were a chic touch of style to see return to the scene. These make for an easy accessory to any cold-weather outfit whether in bright red, burgundy, green, or blue. These work well for a monochrome look or spicing up your color palette.
Worst: Wearing Underwear Outside
Let's be real, dressing comfortably is incredibly important, and so is feeling sexy. Wearing underwear as pants (or micro mini shorts that may as well be boyshorts) was one of the year's enduring trends, seen on Miu Miu runways and celebrities like Kristen Stewart. Cute in theory, but in principle, it's absolutely unrealistic for me (a non-celebrity who is not riding around in a cozy, chauffeured car with bodyguards). I have enough trouble choosing which trousers, skirt, or jeans to wear. It's a hot take given this is an industry-beloved trend, but I'm keeping my underwear as exactly that... under wear.
Best: Brat green
Taking hold in all areas, Charli XCX's Brat green isn't just a color trend—it became an attitude an way of life. Whether it was in ads on the subway, blasting in your ears, or on your clothes, this hue overtook 2024 by the summer. It's not a super hot take for some, but to chartreuse haters, I must confess, this color escalated from a 2024 trend to a staple in my closet.
Worst: Mesh Ballet Flats
These shoes are a good idea in theory, but not in practice, at least for me. Mesh ballet flats had a true moment all year. Though loved by many fashion insiders, I can't stand them. My hot take? If you're going to commit to a closed-toe shoe, then fully commit. If I'm wearing a closed toe shoe, I want it to cover my bad pedicure during the morning rush on the E train, not merely veil it in designer mesh.
Best: Leopard Print
Leopard print dominated the runways this year. From Luar to Zimmerman, brands far and wide took part in debuting animal prints (potentially boosted in demand by the mob wife aesthetic that took over on TikTok earlier in the year). Some might argue this print isn't a trend but a fashion staple, and I see both sides. Maybe that's why the year helped me realize my love for leopard print and that it needs to stay with me in 2025.
Worst: Jorts
The long and baggy jean short trend came back this year. It was one of those 2000s comeback moments of an item we almost left in the archives. Although seen on the likes of several celebrities and some of my own favorite style influencers, I'm simply not touching jorts. It's hard enough finding what works on my frame, and these baggy, capri-like trouser things drown it.
Best: Boho Chic
Thanks to Chemena Kamali's Chloé runway and several TikTok trends, boho-chic style made its return, especially later in the year. The look embraces a version of femininity grounded in layers and fluid clothes in soft fabrics. Maybe it's no surprise that someone who doesn't like jorts would love this flavor of clothes, but I find the look beautiful, easy to style, and even timeless.
