Everyone’s got their own opinions on what they’re going to be repping and what they’ll be leaving behind as we move into 2023. So far, I’ve heard that “vibes” are out (how??), as well as necklaces and super baggy jeans. From your local Californian stationed in rainy London, here’s my non-exhaustive list of what’s hot and what’s not for the year to come!
HOT: Cowboys and everything Western — I might be a little biased since I come from a rural Old West town, but everything is pointing towards Cowboys and a Western-Americana aesthetic being the move this year. With the continued popularity of vintage denim like Levi’s and Wranglers pushed by influencers such as Emma Chamberlain, it’s clear this influence has been in our minds for a while. American princess Kendall Jenner has shown her love for horses and boots since last year (among other personalities), so I think it’s safe to say it’s time to get in the saddle and giddy up!
NOT: Use of the word “Cheugy” — Personally, I believe this term has been on the outs for a while, but I just have to put it in words. Not only does it sound really gross (just such a weird spelling and pronunciation), but there are so many other terms that would work just as well: cringe, off-trend, outdated. But “cheugy”? No way. In 2023, let’s leave that term behind (or just for the elder millennials).
HOT: Plain Martinis, Whiskey, and Regional Cocktails — It’s time to acknowledge the chokehold that Espresso Martinis and P-Star Martinis have on girls in their teens and early twenties and realise that they are not that great! Please, guys- a plain old regular Martini is classic and cute. It’s not that difficult to order (gin, dry, up, extra dirty with three olives please!) For the budding Cowgirls, whiskey is a need. Start with some Bourbon or even Fireball, then move on from there. Also, let’s give the local town/city drink a chance. A regional cocktail is a way to remember a place you’ve visited forever, in a totally unique way.
NOT: Greens Powder — No offence to you if you’ve got a container of Bloom Nutrition on your counter right now, but would it kill you to just have a salad? It’s well known that trends like the various brands of greens powders going around right now are nothing more than a health fad (like skinny tea or sea moss). These powders often lack the amount of fibre or antioxidants you might find in a fresh vegetable. So leave the powder to the influencers and support a local farm or garden with a fresh salad!
AMBIVALENT: Hot Drinks — Personally, I’ve always been a hot coffee, iced tea kind of girl. I feel like iced coffees are not as much a thing as they were a few years ago, but what about tea? Here in the UK, people don’t seem to drink hot tea as much as they claim. Plus, I’ve been seeing more and more iced sweet tea brands in the store. What do you guys think?