Holiday Fashion Trends That Will Be The Star Of The Season

Believe it or not, it's that time again: The holiday season is here. Right along with it are the latest trends for this season, and they're seriously exciting. No matter how you're planning on celebrating this year, there are plenty of fun and fashionable options out there, and you might have some of them hanging in your closet already.

Based on a report from the Autumn/Winter 2022 runway shows from FashionUnited, this season's top look seems to be the "more is more" approach, which is an excellent way to stand out at any party. Think of bright colors, sparkles, and exciting details that pop. In fact, Kayla Marci, an analyst at Edited, told Who What Wear, "The runways prove that A/W 22 will be unseasonably bright and retailers can look to colour up their best-performing coats, dresses, suit sets and sweaters in hot magenta, red, royal purple, tangerine, zesty green and azure to provide shoppers positive sentiments tied to their apparel purchases." Now, without any further ado, let's take a look at what's trending.

As alluded to already, bright colors are in this holiday season, and they aren't just the jewel tones that might be expected around this time of year. Lime green, orange, pink, yellow: all are very much on the table.

The Barbiecore fashion trend that grew in popularity a few months prior, as reported by People, hasn't faded yet, but trendsetters should plan for a more glammed-up doll. The shimmer that might be expected to be reserved for New Year's Eve celebrations looks poised to appear all season long, with FashionUnited sharing snaps of garments on the runway with varying textures, including sequins.

Feathered and feather-like embellishments are also hot for this holiday season. As noted by Rivet, the holiday season is a time for maximalism, including in one's expression of joy and love for the season. Looks featuring feathers and feathery fringes have been shown by the likes of Jason Wu and Alexander McQueen, reports Women's Wear Daily. Whether opting for more subtle nods to the trend or going bold with an entire hemline, the bird is the word.

Metallic tones are back in a big way, including garments that bring color and a metallic-looking fabric at the same time. This trend appears to be popular for both accessories and clothing, a holdover from Spring/Summer 2022 that doesn't look to be going anywhere anytime soon (via Women's Wear Daily).

Per Rivet, some of the fascination in this regard appears to be related to the popularity of television series such as "Bridgerton" and the fashions inspired by historical looks shown on them.

"Last season's sexy has evolved into something more elevated and glamorous, with looks for every occasion and an all-out approach to going out-out again. We saw cut-outs galore from Julia Fox's show-open for LaQuan Smith, daring midriff-exposed looks and sheer delights from Knwls and the ultimate head-to-toe pink at Valentino," Heather Gramston, a buyer for Browns, told Who What Wear.

Strategically-placed cut-outs in clothing designs are popping up everywhere, with Harper's Bazaar quoting the Roberto Cavalli A/W 2022 show notes as saying, "Cavalli's magical cut-out thus becomes scaffolding made up of fabric bars that are assembled and disassembled on the body with a gesture of feminine self-affirmation."

Following the pink Giambattista Valli look that "Euphoria" star Sydney Sweeney wore to the LACMA Art + Film Gala, as reported by People, rose detailing is proving to be popular for this holiday season. This includes capes, as in Sweeney's case, and on bodices. Notably, Rodarte also showcased designs featuring roses for Autumn/Winter 2022, as shared by Tom+Lorenzo.

Can't afford couture? No problem: other brands have caught on, too, moving beyond the more typical floral prints to full-on three-dimensional elements in their garments.

As Morgane Le Caer of Lyst told Who What Wear, "The season's overarching mood is one of fun and extravagance, and the A/W trends are set to be all about OTT fashion. Bags are getting bigger, colors are getting brighter, and everything seems to have been covered in shiny sequins."

Remember the miniature handbags that once seemed as though they were everywhere? It's back to practicality. Maybe Balenciaga's so-called "trash bag" took things to the extreme, as Business of Fashion reported, but Who What Wear has shared plenty of looks from the runways that are more wearable.