Take It to the Polls: Summer 2023 Trends
Take It to the Polls: Summer 2023 Trends
By: Abby Fulmar
As we trade in our beach sandals for campus sneakers and our sunshades for blue light glasses, it is the perfect time to reminisce on trends from the summer 2023 season. Much like our current transition from summer to fall, recent trends show that the lines between newly developed and rediscovered styles seem to be blurred. With a balance of feminine and masculine, classic and modern, and minimalist and maximalist styles, there is no denying that this was a season of unique parallels. These contradictory trends have polarized fashion lovers, sparking a debate centered around their appeal and longevity. Will these trends stand the test of time and return next summer, or will they become styles we look back on as too experimental? To get to the bottom of this debate, Square Magazine’s team members and social media followers were asked to participate in a series of polls with hopes of finding out their opinions on this summer’s hottest trends. Will the results show a significant difference in opinions between high-fashion lovers and those with a more casual interest, or will they reveal that the fashion community might not be as divided as we think?
Jorts
Made popular by the iconic “Daisy Dukes,” jean shorts went mainstream during the denim-heavy 1970s and 1980s. When hip-hop flooded pop culture in the 1990s, denim became baggier, waistlines lowered, and the allocated gender of clothing lost major significance. Looking at streetwear in 2023, it is hard to overlook the obvious nods to 1990s fashion. Some see jorts as the perfect way to mix masculine and feminine styles, while others are thrown off by the unique silhouettes they create. The results from Square Magazine’s survey regarding jorts were especially interesting, producing the lowest rating collected during the series of polls. While Square staff approved of jorts with 67% saying they liked the trend, only 30% of social media followers were on board.
Sports Jerseys
In the past, jerseys were typically worn to show support for one’s favorite sports team or player, worn a few times, then stored in a closet to collect dust until the next season. After the pandemic and subsequent quarantines, athleisure skyrocketed in popularity. People realized just how much they valued comfort, pushing jerseys — known for their comfort and sporty style — to the forefront of the athletic wear trend. These traditionally masculine pieces are styled with everything from a simple pair of jeans to a miniskirt and high heels. Some perceive casually wearing sports jerseys as bizarre and out of place, but others love the idea of mixing different aesthetics. Unlike the previous results, the two participating groups seemed to have a similar view on this trend with 50% of the team and 52% of followers saying they support jerseys as an everyday fashion item.
Ballet Flats
In the mid-1950s, French actress and trained ballerina Brigitte Bardot requested a “city version” of her beloved ballet shoes for the then-upcoming film Et Dieu Crea La Femme. Once released, the movie and her role as the fashionable Juliete Hardy catapulted Bardot to international stardom, making her one of the biggest fashion influences of the time. Throughout the later 20th century, ballet flats became associated with sophistication and elegance, commonly spotted on influential women such as Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy, and Lady Diana. This association is still prevalent today through influencers known for their timeless style, like Sofia Richie Grainge and Hailey Bieber. The versatility of ballet flats make them a staple in both high-fashion and streetwear and seem to be widely loved by the public, with 78%of Square staff and 74%of our followers favoring the shoes.
Boxer Shorts
In the past, boxer shorts were typically worn as originally intended: by men as undergarments. These days, boxer shorts have been adopted by trend-setters all around the world regardless of gender. As relentless heat waves established the summer of 2023 as one of the hottest ever recorded, thick fabrics such as denim became a nuisance to many who relied on jean shorts as a summer staple. In contrast, the thin and flowy cotton fabric of boxer shorts make them the perfect choice for hot summer days. Their functionality combined with the influence of models like Bella Hadid — known for flaunting boxers in a variety of playful colors and designs — led many to partake in this trend. Our voters had an overwhelmingly positive reaction to the shorts with 78% of team members and 80% of Instagram followers loving them, resulting in one of the smallest percentage differences collected between the two groups.
Ruffle Tops and Dresses
The ruffle trend first appeared on runways in the early 2000s thanks to Italian fashion brand Blumarine, known for their ethereal, hyper-feminine spring collections. Though summer dresses have never gone out of style, the asymmetrical look created by flowy mesh tendrils slowly fizzled out. However, as the fashion community becomes increasingly captivated by Y2K maximalist styles, ruffle tops and dresses have once again appeared in both high-end and retail stores. The funky colors and silhouettes that defined the early 2000s give a stark contrast to the now widely embraced “clean girl” aesthetic. Ruffle tops and dresses are a fun way to add dimension and texture to any outfit no matter how elegant or casual. Many praise this trend’s versatility, while critics often see the ruffles as tacky. In the end, Square followers had a higher rating of 86% compared to the team's average of 72%.
Metallic Footwear
When looking at trends of the past, shoes with an eye-catching metallic finish are virtually non-existent besides an occasional sandal heel. This might have been due to the fact that many associated metallic items with being poor quality, though that notion is rapidly changing. As well-respected brands like Rick Owens and Adidas try their hand at metallic footwear, those who once swore off the material now flaunt it in every form. The footwear’s newfound popularity can also be attributed to other current trends. Brands began experimenting with metallic shoes around the same time that the idea of creating a capsule wardrobe became all the rage. As many closets have grown more simplistic, metallic shoes have become both a staple and a great way to elevate a look. From ballet flats to platform sneakers, metallic shoes are proving just how versatile they can be. The results from the poll show that team members had a neutral outlook on this trend, giving metallic footwear 56% approval, while social media followers were a bit more accepting at 62% approval.
When looking at the overall results, it is obvious that there is much diversity both within and between the two groups. The Square Magazine team, a group that pays more attention to trend cycles and the world of high fashion, has more consistency with their votes. Surprisingly, our social media followers seem to be more critical, resulting in more than a 50% difference between their highest and lowest ratings. Despite these differences, many of the averages from the two groups are relatively similar, which could hint at the fact that views on current trends might not be as polarizing as they seem.
Keep reading Square Magazine to stay up to date on all things fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. And be sure to follow @um.squaremagazine on Instagram to be included in future polls and articles.
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