Here comes the haute shopper: Three style experts predict fashion trends for 2023

A model walks the runway during the Bally Ready to Wear Spring/Summer 2023 fashion show as part of the Milan Fashion Week in September. Pic Courtesy/Getty Images

As the world slowly returned to normalcy in 2022, our fashion mood boards reflected the need for positivity after spending the first two years of the 2020s working at home in pyjamas. We sought comfort in nostalgia, with fashion and beauty from the '90s and Y2K emerging as winning trends. Also popular was dopamine dressing in the brightest colours and prints, and an obsession with pink, and all shades of violet and purple. With the possible threat of recession looming over this post-pandemic era, three style experts tell us what our wardrobes will feature in 2023. Over to them.

Identity before fashion

From Mishra's Tree of Life collection

Ibelieve that 2023 is going to be a year of strong individuality - we may have left the ghost of the pandemic behind us but it has changed us in numerous ways. We're working towards building ourselves; comfortably expressing our personalities through fashion is a huge part of it. It's the time when ‘anything goes', as long as it speaks to your heart. Think handloom sarees and funky sneakers, statement graphic pullovers with printed baggy trousers, or classic blazer suits with veils, and traditional lehenga skirts with bikini tops. While conversations about slowing down are more prominent than ever, there's a strong voice of identity that anchors all ideas. We are certainly moving into a new world where the wearer's activism holds as much weight as kindness and mindfulness when it comes to fashion choices.
Rahul Mishra, fashion designer

Playful patterns and metallics

Ihave always felt that the luxury and couture [segment in fashion] is more recession-proof. In Indian ethnic wear, glam traditional will be big - sequins, cut dana, reinvented brocade - whatever craft you choose, the shine quotient is important. In contemporary womenswear, there will be lots of playful patterns for sleeves making them the highlight. Metallic will be in, many designers are already using it in different colours.

Print-on-print will continue in 2023, so will colour pop - hot pink, fluorescents and colour-blocking. Draped silhouettes will be big, from everyday to glam wear. I also see a lot of designers moving towards structured clothing. In menswear, India is opening up towards experimental clothing and the new generation is not shying away from trying new things. For example, his and her ensembles with bold prints and boho embroideries. We'll also see blazers and coats paired with draped pants and bombers with kurtas.
Tina Tahiliani Parikh, CEO of multi-designer store Ensemble India

Sheer love and imperfections

Act N°1 SS 2023, Meagan Concessio. Pics Courtesy/Instagram, Sheldon Santos

Fashion's love for all things sheer in 2022 isn't going anywhere. I'm excited about undone/unfinished pieces with imperfect details and raw edges. It will be all about that lived-in vibe. Cargos are also going to be big. You will see pants, skirts, jackets; literally everything with pockets. More the pockets, the merrier. High shine will be big. We will see silver paired with brown as the bolder choice as it's more daring than black and less obvious than gold.
Meagan Concessio, stylist to Janhvi Kapoor, Ananya Panday and Tara Sutaria