Each new year brings with it myriad emotions—which are perhaps even more exaggerated in 2020, as we usher in a new decade. In many ways, the coming of a new year is a breath of fresh air—an exciting chance to start new and live our best lives. (You know you were thinking it.) But that thought is often as stressful as it is thrilling. The universe has blessed us with 366 brand new days in 2020. What are we going to do with all of them, and why do we have to do anything with them at all? As we grapple with questions about this new year—and this new decade—many of us will turn our attention directly to the 2020 trendscape, for inspiration, distraction, or maybe just a little information. 2020’s top fashion trends might not be able to tell us who we’ll become in the new year, but they can help us imagine what that new year might look like.
The good news? 2020 is already shaping up to be one fun, colorful, vibrant year. Though September’s Spring/Summer 2020 fashion month only gave us a glimpse at half the year, the peek it provided was filled with texture, prints, and saturated shades. Highlighter neons ruled the runways, as models donned spring greens, hot pinks, and tangerine oranges. Retro patterns reminiscent of the ’60s and ’70s walked alongside contemporary favorites, like tropical prints and color blocking. Outfits were layered with crochet elements, covered in sequins, and rendered in shiny leather. Every ensemble offered both tactical and visual appeal—leaving 2020 promising to feel as good as it looks.
These vibrant fashion trends trickled down into more accessible spheres, too. Etsy’s trend expert, Dayna Isom Johnson, says vibrant chartreuses and bold color-blocked elements will dominate the new year. Kitschy retro motifs will, too. And Pinterest agrees. According to the platform’s annual Top 100 trend report, people are already stocking up on inspiration for scrunchies, hair clips, ’90s streetwear, and early aughts-inspired ensembles.
So no matter how you’re feeling about the new year—whether you feel completely prepared or not prepared at all—you can relax knowing 2020 is already shaping up to be seriously fun. At least, it is visually.
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1. PUFFY SLEEVES
Lovers of puffy sleeves, rejoice. Your favorite motif is back for 2020, thanks to designers, like Khaite, who went all in on puffy sleeves on Spring/Summer 2020’s New York Fashion Week runways. 2020’s puffy sleeves promise to look a lot like 2019’s and 2018’s: fluffy, but subdued enough to wear on the daily.
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zebra print top — $16.97 from Eloquii
smocked dress — $119.95 from Eloquii
2. PLEATS
The fashion month runways for Spring/Summer 2020 were filled with pleats on pleats. This is one trend that’s easy to wear no matter your style.
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pink skirt — $29.99 from H&M
green dress — $39.99 from H&M
3. COLOR BLOCKING
Designers like Gabriela Hearst filled their Spring/Summer 2020 runways with vibrant color blocking, and Etsy cemented the motif’s place in the trendscape with its 2020 trend report. “Nailing this look is all about purposeful color play,” Etsy’s Dayna Isom Johnson says of the trend. “Try pairing unexpected shades in ways that speak to you.”
shop the look
pink jacket — $25.99 from H&M
graphic tee — $12.99 from H&M
pink trousers — $17.99 from H&M
4. BRALETTES AS TOPS
Don’t be afraid to show it all off, baby. The Spring/Summer 2020 runways were filled to the brim with bralettes worn as tops, so shed those layers.
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yellow bralette — $40 from Addition Elle
red bralette — $30 from Addition Elle
5. FLUFFY COATS
The bigger the better. Fluffy coats have been all over the recent runways, and they’re honestly a winter dream. You can go with a neutral or choose a bold animal print—The choice is yours.
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tan coat — $103 from ASOS
animal print coat — $151 from ASOS
6. TROPICAL VIBES
The Spring/Summer 2020 runways were chock-full of tropical patterns—which is honestly no surprise. Tropical vibes are the perfect spring and summer wardrobe option.
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dress — $24.99 from H&M
bag — $29.99 from H&M
7. SUITING
In case you didn’t notice, 2019 was the year of suit. 2020 is no different, according to nearly every Spring/Summer 2020 runway.
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suit pants — $79.95 from Eloquii
blazer — $119.95 from Eloquii
8. MELLOW YELLOW
Mustard and golden yellow hues were all over the Spring/Summer 2020 runways, so expect to see a lot of yellow in the coming months.
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trenchcoat — $39.99 from H&M
sweater — $10.99 from H&M
9. FUN LEATHER LOOKS
Whether it’s printed or colorful, there’s no denying fun and unique leather looks flooded the Spring/Summer 2020 runways. This is your year to be bold.
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green jacket — $79.99 from Eloquii
red jacket — $149.95 from Eloquii
10. NEON GREEN
Neon green was seen everywhere on the Spring/Summer 2020 runways during fashion month, and Etsy has named chartreuse as a trending color of the year. Whichever hue you choose, it’s time to bust out the green.
shop the looks
side-tie swimsuit — $139.95 from Eloquii
high-cut swimsuit — $99.95 from Eloquii
11. VESTS
One thing I never thought I’d see all over the Spring/Summer 2020 runways: vests. But they’re here, and I’m so excited to try them with different outfits
