5 Fashion Trends for 2022: From Haute to Homemade

With the rise of crafting and allure of escapism in the last year, we look ahead to a line-up of diverse and exciting trends…

How trends develop is an evolving process. Catwalk looks "trickle-down" to high street brands and online shops. Or, a hyped item from an influencer or indie brand goes viral. But at the end of the day, a trend is a guideline or idea that people take and make their own.

Miuccia Prada once said, "What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language."

And fittingly, we might have just had the fastest fashion year ever, with TikTok and other short-form social media creating micro-trends. Quick oversaturation means we look for something fresh every week—always wanting to develop or reject what came before.

But alongside this trend explosion is the rise of environmental awareness and desire for "slow fashion" with eco-friendly approaches. Many of the social media trends that have seen huge popularity are handmade, such as chunky cardigans and patchwork tops. So, fashion in 2022 seems to be about balancing the desire for newness and boldness, in tandem with sustainability and meaningful approaches.

In light of all this, we’ve pulled together a list of trends and spoken with Domestika teachers from the world of fashion and accessories. From dresses to jewelry, here are five key style trends that could show up on your feed or in your wardrobe in the next year…

We’ll be charmed by gems

Whether it’s in the beauty world, or accessories, get ready for bling to make a big comeback. After so much time indoors, it seems that trend-setters are ready for some maximalism to accompany their outfits.

Rachael from Made by Maeberry (@madebymaeberry) is an accessory designer specializing in polymer clay, which is perfect for crafting unique jewelry designs. Here is her take on the charm trend:

“Gold tone jewelry has been the hot accessory for the last few years, and adding charms gives a little bit more self-expression to top off the ever-growing trend. Charms provide a small canvas for more color, more bling, and more fun. Whether it be beaded pearls, sparkly bling, or a big colorful charm, you'll see them everywhere on necklaces, bracelets, and earrings in 2022.”

Bolder is better when it comes to color…

Going out means going all-out! As the catwalks have only recently reopened, it seems designers are keen to make up for lost time by displaying some over-the-top hues. While you’ll be seeing plenty of the Pantone Color of the Year, Very Peri, there will be endless other color choices.

Designers such as Versace (below left) and Stella McCartney have been bringing out warm and bright shades such as orange-red, magenta, and lime green. Meanwhile, Valentino has everything from highlighter-yellow to jewel purple. These hues are often paired with oversized business suits, cut-out details, and other retro silhouettes. And menswear doesn’t get left out here—long gone are the days of blue and black being the uniform. Instead, pastels and neon brights show up in suits, jumpers, and jackets (see Louis Vuitton, below right).

We’re dreaming in Y2K

Speaking of retro, if you thought that the Y2K trend would fizzle out by now, you might be surprised. Designers like Blumarine have actually doubled down on the big statement belts and tube tops. Visible in sunglass designs as well as shoes and clothing, nostalgia is very much alive.

For Gen X and Millennials, this is a time to dip back into the trends of yesteryear, while for Gen Z this will all be fresh, reinvented for a new generation. Pantsuits, check. Miniskirts and midriffs, double-check!

Crafting our way to homespun heaven

Several viral trends over the last year have revolved around unique items you can make at home. From oversized, fluffy yarn cardigans to woven swimwear, you can’t escape crochet and macramé on a fashion feed nowadays. And the catwalks have been no exception—see below left for Altuzarra's take.

André Boffano (@andreboffano), fashion brand consultant and founder of MODEM, had this to say about the boom in artisanal approaches:

“This season, brands are starting to return to new eco-friendly handcrafted designs. Back in the distant '70s, delicate crocheting and bright patterns were the main trends of that time.”

Not only are these trends a nod back to bygone eras, they’re also a great way to recreate high-end fashion on a budget, and to create sustainable pieces in your favorite colors and styles, so you can wear them again and again. And if you think fashion is in your future, you can learn how to launch your first brand with André’s course here.

Ascending the fashion throne...

Finally, we have yet another renaissance, but this time in the realm of evening wear. Combining elements of high fantasy, Greek mythology, and goddess imagery, we see dresses getting longer and more dramatic. For their SS22 collection, Loewe combined billowing silky fabrics and full-length silhouettes, with draping details.

Meanwhile, interdisciplinary artist Di Petsa (above right) exhibited her SS22 collection of wet-look dresses with straps and gathered details for a mythical siren look. For the ultimate guide to pattern-making and designing the gathered, shirred, or draped dress of your dreams, check out these courses.

Many factors impact which trends will become huge—online culture, politics, climate, and more. Fashion evolves out of the world we live in, as it’s how we express ourselves to the people around us. Which of the above trends do you think will define 2022? Perhaps only time (and maybe TikTok) will tell…

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