2024: Ins and Outs — Rouge Magazine

Entering the new year is an opportunity to have a fresh start. The first of January symbolizes a new beginning and allows us to leave bad habits and traits in the past. The new year may entail making resolutions, setting intentions, and starting a clean routine of caring for the body. Renewal can also look like picking up a hobby, changing your makeup routine, clearing out clothes you do not wear, or buying a new wardrobe.

Trends emerging in the new year include "eclectic grandpa" and "mob wife." The "eclectic grandpa" aesthetic is a Gen Z take on the elements that make up an outfit

that your grandpa Joe might wear to play a game of bingo. A Toronto Star article by Renée Tse defines the new craze as a determination to imitate the look of a "dapper senior citizen" (Tse, 2024). One could incorporate cardigans, corduroy pants, New Balance sneakers, flat-brimmed hats, chunky sweaters, bulky watches, blazers, and loafers to achieve this style. Some patterns include plaid, pinstripe, houndstooth, and graphics of animals. A distinctive feature of the "eclectic grandpa" style is its neutral patterns combined with primary colors. A celebrity who implements this style exceptionally well is Harry Styles. Many

regard Styles as a fashion icon due to his bravery in challenging gender norms and embrace of eclectic, bold prints.

The "eclectic grandpa" style seems to derive from a trend that took off in 2023. "Eclectic grandpa" arose when it displaced its sister trend, "coastal grandma." The "coastal grandma" style peaked in 2023 but has dissipated since then. Toronto Star writer, Tse posits the playful notion that "Coastal Grandma has a new friend" (Tse, 2024).

As the minimalistic look of a "clean girl" is on its way out, an embellished take on "mob wife" has arisen quite rapidly in recent weeks. The "mob wife" trend is an exciting, new aesthetic focusing on smokey makeup looks accompanied by sultry clothing.

An article written by Hannah Malach for Women's Wear Daily classifies the components as "faux furs, large sunglasses, animal prints and costume jewelry" (Malach, 2024). Venetia Catton, played by Alison Oliver in the recent film Saltburn, embodied the seductive makeup look to a tee. Since the film's release, tutorials have surfaced on TikTok due to popular demand, according to Zizi Strater, writer for Byrdie. Venetia is renowned for her edgy look, complete with messy hair and dark, smudged makeup that is gaining popularity (Strater, 2024).

Although these trends are on the rise, it is important to analyze their effects on consumerism and sustainability efforts. The perpetual cycle of what's "in" and what's "out" naturally suggests staying on top of the cycle so as not to fall behind. Fast fashion is an easy web to get trapped in because society places high value on purchasing and consuming material possessions. Fast fashion is affordable enough to enable frequent purchases since staying up-to-date with new trends does not require a significant financial commitment. Although fast fashion is readily available, it is an unhealthy contribution to consumerism and damages the environment further. It generates large amounts of product waste and energy consumption, unethical labor practices, cheap garments, and many more negatives. While welcoming the new trends into society, we should also consider leaving fast fashion out of 2024 and incorporating the practice of slow fashion.

References

Malach, H. (2024, January 24). All about the “mob wife” style trend that has taken over TikTok. All About the ‘Mob Wife’ Style Trend That Has Taken Over TikTok. https://wwd.com/pop-culture/culture-news/mob-wife-tiktok-trend-1236149167/

Strater, Z. (2024, January 5). Venetia from “Saltburn” is on everyone’s Beauty mood board. Venetia From “Saltburn” Is on Everyone’s Beauty Mood Board. https://www.byrdie.com/venetia-saltburn-eyeliner-tutorial-8422754

Tse, R. (2024, January 22). Farewell, coastal grandmother - fashion’s newest trend is the eclectic grandpa. Farewell, Coastal Grandmother — fashion’s newest trend is the Eclectic Grandpa. https://www.thestar.com/life/beauty-and-fashion/fashion/farewell-coastal-grandmother-fashions-newest-trend-is-the-eclectic-grandpa/article_71684689-d6fa-525d-8af2-4a1e1afc5610.html

Written by Emily Arreola

Copyedited by Emily Slepsky

Graphic by Jolie Bellaff