Style/Fashion

Paris Hilton said it best: “Skirts should be the size of a belt.” Those iconic words came to represent the thigh-baring sensitivities of the Y2K era, and after a decade of relatively modest hemlines, micro-minis — and Hilton’s iconic words — are coming back in full force. Practically every major designer debuted a miniskirt with their collections this season, so if you want a sure bet for your style updates this year, this is it.

HIGH FASHION REFERENCES: Diesel, Kim Shui, Laquan Smith, Colina Strada

GET THE LOOK: Miniskirts are everywhere right now, from thrift stores to department stores, but I prefer tracking down one-of-a-kind finds on Depop and Poshmark. Brands to look for include Cop Copine, Marithe+Francois Garbaud and Save the Queen. Pair with an oversized sweater and legwarmers for the comfiest, coziest look ever.

Remember 2014? Remember party photography, ironic eyewear, American Apparel, ripped fishnets, deep side parts and when club culture was still fun? So do we — and so do the fashion powers that be, apparently, because grimy hipster culture has made a comeback. Dubbed “indie sleaze” by trend researcher Mandy Lee, the style is defined by risqué cuts, grungy colours and a trashy-meets-trendy ethos.

HIGH FASHION REFERENCES: Blumarine, Ekhaus Latta

GET THE LOOK: If the first iteration of this trend still feels like a recent memory, that’s because it is. Use the shortening trend cycle to your advantage by digging up any old American Apparel you might still have kicking around in the back of your closet. This trend is all about being messy, grungy, sexy and unkempt, so muss up your hair, smudge some black eyeliner on your face and squeeze into your disco pants.

The balaclava was the must-have accessory this winter, but if you haven’t gotten your hands on one yet, don’t worry — if the runways at NYFW are any indication, statement headwear is here to stay. Runways featured the multipurpose accessory in everything from minimalistic black (Proenza Schouler) to audacious furry pastels (Christian Cowan). Just remember that headwear is a complicated and so stay mindful before you jump headfirst into this trend.

HIGH FASHION REFERENCES: Simone Rocha, Christian Cowan, Altuzzara

GET THE LOOK: DIY headwear is all the rage right now, so try going local in your search for the perfect balaclava. Crocheted caps of all sizes, colours and shapes from local businesses can be found on Depop, Instagram and Etsy — or tie a bright scarf around your head for a babushka look.

Hardcore metal accessories, dilapidated undergarments, earthen leather outerwear — are we at Fashion Week or the set of a dystopian YA movie? Societal anxieties around climate change, political discord and rising tensions have made way for a fashion movement that’s built for the apocalypse, featuring sci-fi cutouts, natural fabrics and subversive styling.

HIGH FASHION REFERENCES: Christian Siriano, Dion Lee, Ekhaus Latta

GET THE LOOK: Pair leather and metal hardware with distressed or unexpected basics. Check out our subversive basics article for starting points or take out a pair of scissors and hack up an old sweater yourself.

The ’90s revival is nothing new, but the fashion world is still finding new ways to put a modern spin on Y2K looks. You may remember the skirt-over-jeans phenomenon from Disney channel shows or Delia’s catalogs? If you’re anything like me, you might have thought society left that look in the early-’00s forever — but it’s back, thanks to elevated looks from Simone Rocha, Proenza Schouler and Helmut Lang.

HIGH FASHION REFERENCES: Simone Rocha, Lapointe, Proenza Schouler, Collina Strada

GET THE LOOK: No investment required — just take your favourite loose skirt or minidress and layer it over a pair of baggy thrift store jeans. Pair with platforms for a ’90s vibe.