From decaff to chrome, big lashes to Bauhaus brights, discover the key beauty, fashion and lifestyle trends for the year ahead…
1. Pretty Pastel Cardis
Whether oversized, cropped, cute or cinched in at the waist, the pretty pastel-knit cardigan is a key knitwear investment this season. Versatile and effortless, make it your go-to shopping outfit, and add an XL tote. Image; Chanel.
2. Chrome Finishes
Move over brass – cool-toned chrome, pewter, stainless steel and nickel finishes are making a comeback. Shiny and lustrous, these silver finishes look especially luxurious when combined with marble and travertine. Chrome Mushroom lamp, HKliving, €275; www.anartfullife.co.uk.
3. Hair Style
Hair accessories, from ribbons to clips to flowers, are big for SS24, as seen at Versace and Paul Costelloe. Hairbands, as seen here at Chanel, work best with sleek hair: smooth down your parting with Aine Kennedy’s bestselling Smooth Stick, a hair-taming wand to flatten flyaways (€17; www.thesmoothcompany.com). We also loved the plaits woven with satin ribbon at designer Christian Siriano’s show. Wrap a ribbon round your ponytail or bun: find a selection of coloured ribbon at Cloth fabric store, Westbury Mall, Dublin 2; www.cloth.ie. Image; Chanel.
4. Playful Patterns
This season’s pattern book is not for shy and retiring types. Bold two-tone prints featuring fanciful illustrations, fun botanicals and trompe l’oeil details are trending. Image; Dries Van Noten.
5. Highly Decaffeinated
Surveys predict that many will explore the benefits of going caffeine-free this year (in addition to being sober-curious). The benefits of eliminating caffeine include helping the body better absorb micronutrients such as calcium, iron and B vitamins. Of course, caffeine also hinders sleep, which is the main reason to forego our double-shot espresso habit. As an alternative, cacao is now replacing caffeine thanks to its health benefits … Pulcina coffee maker, Alessi, €95; www.connox.com.
6. Retro Perfect
This year, the Fleetwood (as in Mac) interiors aesthetic, inspired the hit TV series Daisy Jones and The Six is trending. It’s a blend of 1970s rock ‘n’ roll glamour and bohemian chic. Think curvy furniture, velvets and flashes of gold. Channelling the trend is the Hotel Panache in Paris, with interiors designed by Chloé Nègre. It’s the perfect bolthole if visiting the city for design fair Maison & Objets, from January 18-22.
7. Old Money Aesthetic
The term “Old Money,” and the lifestyle that comes with it, is a point of fascination for the TikTok generation. Videos of impeccably dressed people lounging in stunning locations are commonplace on the app. It’s an aesthetic taking over entertaining too, as endorsed by entrepreneur Lauren Santo Domingo. She entertains formally, using vintage china and glasses on glossy mahogany tables. Tiffany Crest bone china plates; www.tiffany.com. Or try Newbridge Silverware for more inspiration; www.newbridgesilverware.com
8. Animal Kingdom
Eclectic, distinctive and inspired by nature – this season’s jewellery trends are fascinating and frightening in equal measure. From butterfly earrings to bug-like rings, animal motifs are a huge jewellery trend. We spotted XL sculptural butterfly cuffs (and earrings) at Blumarine, dragonfly necklaces on chunky chains at Erdem, cartoon-like cow pendant earrings (jingling cow bell included) at Tory Burch, as well as a few scary lobsters, snakes and spiders. Be brave! 18ct gold Butterfly diamond and pink tourmaline marquetry earrings, Silvia Furmanovich, €5,412; www.modaoperandi.com.
9. Bauhaus Brights
After a winter where black dominated, a colour revival is on the cards. On SS24 catwalks, fashion designers focused on primary colours inspired by the Bauhaus movement. At The Row, the Olsen twins’ choice of blue was inspired by the geometric rugs of Ivan Da Silva Bruhns (1881-1980). Emilia Wickstead’s collection was inspired by the vivid yellows and sartorial liberation of the French Riviera in the 1930s. American designer Khaite opted for the brightest of reds.
10. Big Lashes
Fashion designers, from Victoria Beckham to Versace, put a focus on lush lashes this season (Acne Studios even decorated a vest top with them). Not necessarily a full set – Beckham featured tiny faux lashes at the outer edge of the eye, while Dries Van Noten used feathers. Perhaps it’s the Priscilla effect. Look to Irish lash entrepreneur Shona Mahon, whose Wink With Mink line is stocked at some 500 salons across the country. She also offers courses for lash artists. Try her Speedy Lash starter kit (€34; www.winkwithminklashes.com). Open your eyes to bold lashes this spring.
