Well, fashion is subjective, and anything and everything goes. One could argue that in 2022, people have done their own thing more than ever before.
Still, some of the most persuasive fashion criticism comes from the Worst Dressed list — a franchise created by critic Richard Blackwell. The “Worst Dressed List” is not meant to be mocked, but as a barometer of our times and a measure of what’s working (and not working) for us when it comes to pop culture.
It’s worth noting that Blackwell published a list of “The Greatest Freelancers of Fashion”, which was populated by what he considered to be “the best dressed”. Some argue that you’re not considered cool until you’re seen wearing the worst clothes.
In that spirit, HuffPost reviewed the 10 worst fashion trends of 2022, and we tapped stylists to explain why these looks won’t work for us.
Meet the critics
Beverly Osemwenka He is a New York and London-based stylist and founder of Project B, a wardrobe consultancy. The company’s services are specially designed to build individual images and develop a personal style.
Chelsea Volpe She is a Manhattan-based fashion and still life stylist, known for her idiosyncratic combinations of color and silhouette. Clients include Bloomingdale’s, Estee Lauder, Highsnobiety, Hypebeast, Paper Magazine, Vogue and Women’s Wear Daily.
1. Sunglasses at night
Julia Fox on October 25, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
“The number of 20-somethings I’ve seen bursting into the ultra-luxe sun in New York’s night scene is staggering,” Volpe told HuffPost. “Can’t you get enough of the dark? Guys, wearing a pair of Balenciaga sunglasses to your local Bushwick dive bar isn’t very stylish or obviously practical.”
2. Y2K aesthetics
A model walks the runway at the Blumarine fashion show during Milan Fashion Week on September 23, 2021 in Milan, Italy.
Osemwenkhae is not a fan of glitter, hearts or butterflies when it comes to dressing up. “There are few things that should stay in the early 2000s like the Y2K aesthetic. Yes, there’s a good reason this trend stems from millennial pop culture, but unless you’re under 21, there’s nothing fun about dressing up as a Bratz doll.
3. Floral dresses a la beach grandma
Anne Hathaway at the 75th Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2022 in Cannes, France.
The beachy granny look has had a bit of a moment this summer, but Volpe keeps the floral designs completely basic and not in a good way. “Dressing up your grandmother’s bathroom wallpaper as a dress is very dated. Shall we replace the antique Nantucket floral print with something more fun?” She suggests choosing solids instead.
4. Low rise jeans
Julia Fox on March 31, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
Low-rise jeans are back this year, but why? “Low-rise jeans accentuate the wrong body parts,” Osemwenkah said. She argued that showing off a cheek or cheek is not empowering. In fact, style is personal, and feelings of power are attached to it. It had a shock value associated with it. Twenty years later, showing off your stalker tendencies feels a little hollow, sentence-wise.
5. Cargo pants
A guest at Paris Fashion Week on July 6, 2022 in Paris, France.
In the year Another pant faux pas in 2022 is the rise of cargo pants, which, in Volpe’s opinion, paint a picture that seems uneven. “It’s not cute to wear cargo pants the size of a parachute. It’s the case when your pants look like two garbage bags merged into one tragic nightmare.”
6. Platform Flip-Flops
Kendall Jenner on March 24, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen the addition of platforms in shoes – the style has been around since the 1970s. In the year In the 1990s, we saw platforms on everything from Mary Janes to sneakers, but the most outrageous, according to Osemwenkae, is the platform flip-flop, which is back in 2022. She told HuffPost that she found the trend a bit overwhelming and overwhelming. Legs” and opt for something a little sweeter added to your resort wear this summer.
7. Brands that do not take responsibility
Conscious consumerism is the cornerstone of Gen Z and is quick to use purchasing choices to recognize brands when they are doing something bad or worse, offensive and inhumane. “It’s not fashionable to wear a billboard for an anti-Semitism walk, love. Tsk, tsk, Adidas for being oblivious to the Kanye fiasco. Here, Volpe mentions people’s outrage at how long it took Adidas to cut ties with Kanye West following hate speech and anti-Semitic comments. She added, “Major brands need to take responsibility.” This December, Balenciaga released two campaigns accusing the brand of supporting child exploitation. TikTokers responded by destroying Balenciaga items in their feeds.
8. Micro mini dresses
Simona Carlucci (left) and Anacarla Dal Avo (right) wear the Miu Miu micro dress trend during Paris Fashion Week on March 8, 2022 in Paris, France.
How short is it when it comes to minis? For Osemwenkhae, it’s all about wearability. “There’s a cutoff point where it’s too small and not worth wearing.” She says she’s ready to retire the mini and replace it with flowy midi dresses.
9. Underwear as evening wear
Jessica Wang outside Carolina Herrera at New York Fashion Week on February 14, 2022 in New York City.
After two years of locked-in loungewear, Volpe says, “It’s so easy to throw on a sex corset top or be casual for a night out.” But according to her, underwear belongs in the bedroom, and nightwear should have a little more substance in 2023.
10. Skinny jeans
May 20, 2021 A model wearing skinny jeans in New York City.
Dyed pants are a passé. Osemwenkah It’s time to trade in your skinny jeans for “relaxed straight jeans.” It’s a style that’s easy to wear and flattering.” She adds that the fit is “reasonably flattering, especially for a pearl shape.”
