Trend Predictions for 2009

With a new year comes lots of new fashion trends. But which ones will be popular and which ones will fizzle out? What should you buy now to prepare for the rest of the year?
Here are some of my picks for what’s going to be huge in ‘09!
2009 Fashion Predictions
One-shoulder tops & dresses
Break out your strapless bra, because one-shoulder is going to be hot this year! Asymetrical dresses were all over the Spring 2009 runways, and it’s already a trend that’s being picked up by mainstream stores. Expect to wear this look a lot in ‘09.
Ripped jeans
These are huge already, but they’re going to get even bigger over the rest of the year. I’m not talking a few holes in the knees of your denim, I mean seriously shredded jeans a la Margiela as seen in this photo. Stores like Topshop have already started selling their own versions, and it’s only a matter of time before they’re everywhere.
Metallics
Shiny shades of gold, silver, bronze, and platinum aren’t going anywhere soon! Metallics are always hot and I don’t see that changing much this year. I know I’ll continue to rock my favorite silver metallic bag. What about you?
Wide-leg AND skinny jeans
Last year’s wide-leg denim trend is still going strong, but don’t forget about skinnies either – yes, skinny jeans are still in style. I recommend investing in both styles of denim if you like them both, but if not, pick the one that you think flatters you the best. Both styles are great on many figures.
Bold colors
Bright shades are always hot for spring, but even more so this year! The most popular colors will be hot pink, purple, orange, electric blue, and yellow.
Sheer
Sheer clothing is usually in style for spring, and I’m sure this will continue. We saw lots of sheer, layered dresses on the runways for Spring 2009 back in fall, and although they take a bit of planning to pull off, I think sheer clothes will catch on in the mainstream.
More body-conscious clothing
Loose is not going to be in for 2009, so learn to love tighter clothing that cinches you in at the waist. This is a definite trend for the year. Here’s an article I wrote about the cinched waist trend from last year – it’s still required reading for 2009.
More focus on individual style
I’ve talked about this before, but I think the focus in 2009 is going to shift a little from trend-centered dressing to dressing based on your individual style. You aren’t going to want to follow all the trends in 2009, instead you’ll probably pick and choose from the ones that flatter you and ditch the ones that don’t. And this is the right way to do it! Nothing looks great on everyone, and nothing fits everyone’s style. Wear the pieces that work for you, and skip everything that doesn’t.
What are your 2009 fashion predictions?
Now that you’ve seen what I think will be hot in ‘09, I want to hear your predictions. What are you looking forward to wearing this year? Which trends will stay from 2008 and which won’t last? Leave your thoughts in the comments section.
Posted on on January 5, 2009 / Filed Under: Trends / Tags: 2009, Colors, New Year's, One-Shoulder, Skinny Jeans, Spring 2009, Trends, Wide Leg Jeans
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Annie
I like everything except sheer and ripped jeans. I am loving cinched waists though, except I have a little bit of trouble finding small/short enough belts in stores.
Great post Zephyr! I love this site.
Fatma
Love your post as always!
I’m gonna shopping nowadays and with that knowledge i know what to buy.I think there isn’t so many changing at the trends much.
I think head accessories are still in thanks to Gossip Girl.Leggings and mini dresses in too i guess??
And like Annie i don’t like ripped jeans too and i guess i’m never gonna wear them.
And i’m wondering what do you think about ripped jeans personally Zephyr?
Jessica
Everything on this list sounds good to me. I’m glad a lot of trends are carried over through the years. Ripped jeans made me feel ridiculous last year or two years ago though so I’m not going to keep wearing them.
Sadie
Thank God one-shoulder is back, I’ve always loved one-shoulder tops, dresses and specially swimsuits, they’re great for night pool parties!!!
cheers!
Maggie
I have a feeling that peasant blouses will be in again. I’m definitely not a big fan of this style, but my friend pointed out that they’ve been popping up in stores already.
Brittney
Besides for skinny jeans staying in style, I am really not looking forward to having to look at people wearing all of those things again. Those styles seem so tacky to me – I mean, ripped jeans, really? All of those styles seem to scream “cheap” or “messy” to me.
mara
to annie- i can never find belts small enough either, and i absoutely LOVE that look. Recently i did a yellow gold skinny belt over a navy blue blazer.
i do NOT like the ripped jeans at all..and i am very excited for the one-shoulder tops, i think the first time that came around i was too young to pull it off.
Most of all i’m excited for “individual style” i am all about taking risks in 2009! :)
M
I am petite and used to wear over sized shirts all the time, but I was over it by the time it became “in”. It is so unflattering! I hope it goes away in ‘09.
Also, NO MORE extra long shirts, please. Way to make the majority of us look like caterpillars.
Skinny jeans forever. <3
Katie
Feminine, flowery, soft ruffly shirts will be in this year.
Also, watercolor patterns on casual shirts will be in as well!
Suraiya
Hey, I still love wearing loose shirts and loose clothing – i think there still going to be around but i love wearing them with tights but i love having a belt around it.
I mean you can still pull off clothing that are not in with the elements that are.
But definitely metallics and bold colours should be in! I love Love love love pink!
Lyd
ripped jeans will probably go out of style, and sheer in the new year!!, Close fitting will be back in as well !!
Lyd
oh and please, no more oversized shirts!! Ive seen enough of them already, and i cant stand 3/4 tights as pants!!!!!
Linda
lol… I’ve actually started to wear loose clothing quite a bit these days & I love it.. going to do it throughout the year because I look & feel great in em :P. I’ve done the tight look for a while & it’s pretty played out for me haha..
Love the article though!
Sharon
yeaa i also love oversized shirts i think they look trendy :)
except i don’t only wear stocking/leggin under ‘em most of the time caz my legs are too skinny.
i love skinny jeans and one-shoulder seems really cool!i’ve always wanted them but never seen them in stores! :)
i also love belts and i love to wear them right under the breasts. but they always fall :( any techniques? lol
alsooo, would you do a post of what kind of belts would be in :D? there are so many differnt types of belts :D!
Veronica
I thought grunge was coming back, but I’ve never been into ripped jeans. Love cinched waists, though, especially in oversized cardigans.
I have trouble finding the right length of jeans. How short is too short? I don’t want them to drag on the ground but I find, especially with wide legs, that you almost have to have them sweeping the pavement or they look ridiculous. I had a really nice pair that I took to a tailor to get shortened but I think they’re too short now and I can really only wear them with flats… Flats in winter make me cold.. But I guess it’s good to know that wide legs will still be cool in spring when I can wear flats again. Still, I hate a pair of dormant jeans:)
Jenny
I think trends are ridiculous (other than jean cut, maybe). Why would you want to encourage conformity? Newsflash: If you wear something that fits and flatters you, no matter what color, style, pattern, or price, you’re gonna look fabulous. And if it’s not “on trend”, then you’ll look that much more unique. Besides, when does silver/metallics NOT look good? Or bold colors? Or sheer fabrics in the spring? Know what I mean?
Although I do think the shredded jeans could be badass if done right.
Ashley
I loveee ripped jeans. I love the whole grunge thing, actually. I also really like body-con dresses, even though they’re definitely not for me.
AJ
Brittney:
I agree, I hate it when people look sloppy in ripped or torn clothes, were not homeless so why act/look like it?!
Lyd:
Yes, I hate those stupid tights, they dont look good, just wird. . . but id rather people wore them than nothing at all under their dresses because thats just disturbing.
2009 should be an interesting year, edgy feminine looks seem to be “in”.
Lola
Loving that pink balmain you used in the picture.
I would also say burnt orange is going to be big it was featured in alot of the shows like louis vuitton id also say purple (luella). Fringing and dots will be huge. Monochrome god that was everywhere (not a fan, you?). Harem pants were featured alot too but i really dont see that trend catching on.
denny
kindly put more photos of what’s in dis year. i really do love to look at these plus i won’t find a hard time looking for somewhat the same style in stores.
please feature what’s best for petite girls like me. i love to wear dresses but sometimes im not confident enough thinking that i might look smaller wearing dresses paired with flats.
MArianne
Ughhh … I hate the one shoulder dresses and tops they seem so cheap and tacky ! how about Overalls? nice short overalls i think they’re really sexy
Jazz
Marianne – Right there with you, I wouldn’t be caught dead in something as tacky as a one-shoulder garment!
I’m loving ripped jeans though. They always looked grungy and cool, and it will be nice to see (and wear) more of them.
I won’t be quitting the oversize trend anytime soon. Fashionable or not, it’s still a great look with skinnies.
As for a prediction of my own, I think batik and tie-dye print tops will start appearing in stores again. Just a hunch.
MArianne
Jazz i agree, when it comes to ripped jeans there are 2 kinds…the one that look like you worn them to a barn and that s why they are ripped … and then you have the fashionable kind
And when it comes for the oversize fashion PLEASE !! As if that’s ever gonna happen i mean i don’t work my ass off at the gym to go and hide it with some kind of sheet
You’re rigt about batik and tie-dye print tops they are already starting to appear in stores again
Jenn
Zephyr- What do you think about gladiator sandals. In or out? If they are in where are some cheap(er) places to find them?
Zephyr
Fatma – I think ripped jeans are cute! I don’t own a pair yet but I’m thinking of DIYing a pair of black skinnies I have…
Sharon – If you don’t want the belt to fall, you’ve gotta wear it tighter. Also, double stick tape on the back of your belt works wonders!
Jenny – I totally agree that you should wear whatever you want & not worry about trends. Nowhere in the article did I say “you should wear this.” Just stating what I think the trends will be this year, not encouraging anyone to follow them & ignore their personal style! Read the last bullet point of the article :)
Jenn – Gladiators are still in for now, they might not be as huge in ‘09 but I’m sure people will still be wearing ‘em. As for cheap places – I love shoes.com & even super-cheap places like gojane.com carry them!
MArianne
Zephyr is it true that sky-high heals will be all the rage in summer 2009? what other shoes will be inn ?
Alicia
I recently bought a pair of the “pleather” tights, weirdly enough I can pull them off. However I am not going for the Pussycat Doll look and wearing them with a sparkly bra. Any ideas of something that will play down the cat woman effect.??
nagham
i heard something about 2009 trends that i loved…..there are like almost NO trends for the season…its just basically every designer went back to thier basics but made with a twist….so basically its almost a free for all haha…use one staple item in ur outfit and go crazy with everything else
*but something that will never be in is leggings as pants…so wear the leather leggings with a micro mini dress and a pair of sky high heels
aish
hey this is a gud article(very accurat)
can you do the same for 2010???
the colours, cuts, lenghts, fabrics, styles etc
thanks