The new year has officially kicked off, so we’re already mapping out what we’ll be wearing in 2022. If our Slack channels are any indication, our team has plenty of opinions on which trends are worth wearing now and which outdated trends they’ll be skipping. To find out exactly which fashion trends will make the cut in 2022, we shared which ones we’ll be wearing first and the pieces we’re ordering from Who What Wear Collection.
Ahead, Who What Wear editors are weighing in with their top picks so that we can point you in the right direction for how to get your sartorial start in 2022. While we might be putting pieces like sweater-vests, fitted tailoring, and utilitarian outerwear on pause, we’re making room for items such as shearling jackets, button-up knits, and plissé pleats. Scroll down to see the full list and get a preview of what our editors’ style will look like in 2022.
Skipping: Sherpa JacketsWearing: Shearling Jackets. “A few years back, I was into the sherpa-jacket trends, but now, I’ve graduated to shearling jackets. They feel similar, but they’re a bit more grown-up and polished.”
Skipping: Split-Hem LeggingsWearing: Vegan-Leather Trousers. “I never really got into the split-hem-leggings trend, and I think it’s a bit oversaturated at this point. Vegan leather, on the other hand, is timeless, and these pants are so perfect and look expensive.”
Skipping: RufflesWearing: Ruching. “I’m very into ruching as a timeless trend that feels especially relevant right now and into 2022. It adds visual interest, and I find it’s rather flattering on me. Conversely, a detail you often find on dresses that I’m hoping to leave in 2021 is ruffles. I like pretty details, but sometimes, ruffles can feel too sweet for my personal style.”
Skipping: Utilitarian OuterwearWearing: Shackets. “Every time I think we reach peak shacket, I find myself falling in love with a new one. Currently, this belted, faux-leather version is my favorite. On the flip side, I find myself reaching less and less for the more ornate, utilitarian statement outerwear pieces of seasons past.”
Skipping: Fitted TailoringWearing: Relaxed Suiting. “I’m still so into relaxed suiting for a modern and polished vibe. On the flip side, super-fitted tailoring just isn’t my jam at the moment.”
Skipping: Big Button-DownsWearing: Slightly Fitted Button-Downs. “Big button-downs were all I wore last year, and it’s still a trend I love deeply, but I think it’s time to move on to the next phase. My new fixation is slightly fitted button-downs, specifically styled with only one or two buttons clasped so that the top and bottom halves are exposed—basically the way it’s styled in our WWWC lookbook. To me, it feels like a fresh way to wear something that’s not characteristically ‘sexy.'”
Skipping: CardigansWearing: Button-Up Knits. “I’m slowing my roll on cardigans going into 2022, seeing as my collection is overflowing with them. While I wouldn’t say they’re necessarily ‘out,’ I’m currently favoring zip or button-up knits that feel especially fresh right now. Styled a certain way, this henley pullover aligns with the renaissance of preppy dressing that we’re seeing so much of right now. I’m a fan of wearing it with relaxed trousers and retro sneakers, but the possibilities are endless.”
Skipping: FeathersWearing: Plissé Pleats. “My obsession with the feather trend has been long-lasting. I love how much character and texture it brings to any outfit, but in 2022, I’m making more subtle fashion statements. I’m trading my dramatic feathered pieces in for the timeless plissé-pleat trend. It’s easy to dress up or down and adds a lot of character to an otherwise simple piece.”
Skipping: Sweater-VestsWearing: Open Vests. “Don’t get me wrong—I’m not getting rid of sweater-vests entirely, but I’ve been shopping for open vests more often recently. I actually didn’t own that many closed vests in the first place (I own two, to be exact!) but already have bought three open vests this season and plan on wearing them as much as possible into the new year.”
Skipping: Formfitting PiecesWearing: Flowy Tops. “I’m not personally buying any formfitting pieces right now, as I’m all about comfort and easy-to-wear trends. That’s why this beautiful flowy top is right up my alley. It has a pretty swirl-jacquard fabric that really dresses it up, and the loose bodice will be forgiving after I’ve stuffed my face over the holidays.”
