TREND REPORT: Back to Basics

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In the age of micro trends and passing fads, Dopamine Dressing and the over stimulation provided by social media, sartorial fatigue reigns large. Plaguing large swathes of the fashion conscious, recent trend cycles have come to be dominated by countertrends such as Quiet Luxury, or Stealth Wealth.

Now amid the arguments for and against the demise of Quiet Luxury, a new contender has entered the midst.

Though, arguably it was always here, basics have long been an anti-fashion response to dressing by disregarding the trend cycle and focusing on understated personal statements. It boils down to telling the world who you are without the need for bells and whistles.

Beyond Her Adelaide Tank (Coming Soon)
Beyond Her Courtney Skirt
Alias Mae Therese Sandals (Coming Soon)
Nude Lucy Nude Cap (Coming Soon)

Glue Store Spring 23 stylist, Jade Sammut, emphasises that this trend is about taking the integrity of a basic and perpetuating it. “When most people think of a basic, they think of a white cotton T-shirt, however, over the years this has transformed into adding detailing with the cut of the garment, strap detailing, and the materials used to keep it neutral to be able to wear the piece time and time again.”

Beyond Her Molly Dress
Ksubi Bond Blazer (Coming Soon)
Therapy Exie Derby
47 Brand NY Cap (Coming Soon)
Naked Vice Bag (Coming Soon)

Article One Heavyweight T-Shirt
Article One Ellis Chino Short
The North Face 96 Retro Nuptse Vest
New Balance 2002 Sneaker

Raef the Label Cormac Top (Coming Soon)
Polo Ralph Lauren Custom Button Up
Nude Lucy Organic Mom Shorts
Converse Chuck Taylor 70 Sneakers
Stussy International Backpack

High end brands have also caught onto the appetite for less spicy clothes with increased versatility. Following the departure of Alessandro Michele from Gucci, the brand marked the end of his tenure by reverting to a more muted colour palette, void of the Jared Leto-adjacent influence Michele brought to the creative direction. Moving on from the legacy that brought Gucci back into relevance under Tom Ford in 2002 was a bold move by the brand, but one that is perhaps cresting the current wave of fashion towards altogether less brash collections. The overall effect of the FW23 collection was analgesic in its freshness for the brand.

“Fashion pieces don’t always need to be loud to make a statement,” says Sammut, “I think society over time has figured this out and [that’s] why there are so many offerings in this category nowadays. It screams effortless but I'm still put together and trending”.

“Fashion pieces don’t always need to be loud to make a statement.”

Raef the Label Cormac Tube Top (Coming Soon)
Nude Lucy Organic Jeans
Nude Lucy Sora Shirt
New Balance 327 Sneakers

While part of the fun of fashion is getting to try on a different personality, playing the main character in the movie that is your life brings a new dimension to “Main Character Energy”. Your personal costume department doesn’t have to be overflowing with colours and sequins. Even models are opting for simpler outfits, Sammut points out, “You will see Hailey Bieber do this well, where she will pair her basic item with a hero piece such as a jacket almost constantly.”

Article One Classic Singlet
Article One Nero Linen Shirt
Article One Nero Linen Shorts Converse Chuck Taylor 70 Sneakers
Article One Classic Bum Bag

Beyond Her Carmen Tank
Xgirl Denim Cargo Jeans
Converse Chuck Taylor 70 Sneakers
Beyond Her Bag (Coming Soon)

Raef the Label Venice Corset (Coming Soon)
Beyond Her Hart Tailored Pants (Coming Soon)
Alias Mae Therese Sandals (Coming Soon)
Le Specs Long Nights Sunglasses (Coming Soon)
Naked Vice Bag (Coming Soon)

The Quintessential Styling:

A go-to outfit in this category would be completed with a basic dress paired with a blazer as the hero item. Then accessorising using a cap or sunglasses and a bag. Keep the footwear low-profile by styling with a sneaker and socks with a colour scheme of maximum two colours that complement each other.