We Try Before You Buy: The 2022 Trends We're Already Championing

Our We Try Before You Buy series aims to take the stress out of shopping and eliminate the number of post office visits you make each month to return failed online orders. We test new-season buys and styling ideas so you don’t have to. Here, we’re letting you know what’s actually worth investing in or styling tricks you can re-create with pieces you already own. 

It might be hard to believe, but the end of 2021 is in sight, and while our New Year's Eve plans might currently be in limbo, there's nothing stopping us from looking ahead to January and everything next year has in store for us in the wardrobe department. For us editors, this is not only an exercise we partake in on a personal level, but it's also our job to keep our eyes trained on the horizon and ensure our readers are kept up-to-date on what's to come.

For the final We Try Before You Buy of the year, it only felt natural that we lay out the trends and styles that we will be wearing in 2022, and that we are already championing right now. We scoured the catwalks, chatted to fashion buyers and, of course, picked the brains of our fellow fashion editors, in order to select our favourite trends. From throwback styles, such as psychedelic prints and 90s co-ords, to wardrobe classics including maxi skirts, if you're looking for some new season inspo to get your creative juices flowing (and distract you from the circus that is life right now), scroll down to see the 2022 trends we'll be repping now and into the new year.

Emma Spedding, Editor: MINI SKIRTS

"For the past few years I have been fiercely loyal to the midi skirt—but my knees are ready to come out of hibernation. This is a Christopher Kane skirt I used to wear in my early twenties, and hadn’t thought I’d ever want to wear it again, but held onto it just in case. But with chunky boots, black tights and an oversized jumper it feels cool again. A mini skirt and stilettos just doesn’t feel like me, but by playing with the proportions of the boots and trench coat, the mini skirt really works and feels more current. Welcome back knees!"

Joy Montgomery, Shopping Editor: 90s MINIMALISM

"I wanted to challenge myself with this styling story, so I decided to pick the 90s trend that has exploded onto the fashion scene over the last year, and shows no sign of slowing down for 2022. Having lived through the low-rise jeans and crop-tops first-time round, I wanted to find a way to wear this trend in a way that felt fresh and, most importantly, refined. My answer was to draw out a more minimalist aesthetic, taking inspiration from the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow who championed silken separates, leather jackets and strappy sandals back in the day. Throwback yet still relevant."

Hannah Almassi, Editor-in-Chief: MAXI SKIRTS

"Like Emma, I've been living in midi skirts over the last decade, and while it's a style that will never go out of fashion, I wanted to try something new for the new year. For 2022 I'll be championing the tube-style maxi skirt. I was concerned that, due to being short, the silhouette of this fab Whistles skirt wouldn't work for me, however, with the addition of heels and tailoring, the finish was unexpectedly streamlined. I'm a total convert!"

Remi Afolabi, Video Content Creator: PSYCHADELIC PRINTS

"Retro '70s-inspired prints dominated the fashion world this year, and it looks like they’re here to stay, with more focus on psychedelic prints as we move into 2022. I love how creative brands have been getting with mixtures of colours and shapes. I’ve been obsessing over this particular dress from a Warehouse lately and I find that it’s a piece I can get away with wearing on casual days as well as a night out. Pairing it with boots and a leather jacket will be my go to combination for spring”.

Zoe Anastasiou, Social Media Fashion Editor: HANGING BY A THREAD

"Inspired by It-brands including Nensi Dojaka and Charlotte Knowles, the trend I’m championing for 2022 is "hanging by a thread.” Characterised by shoestring thin straps and lots of them, this looks has already been seen on the likes of Dua Lipa, Hailey Bieber and Jourdan Dunn. Most often created in shades of black, this trend is all about statement, skin-baring silhouettes that make an impact. I’m obsessed.”

Up Next: 11 Items That Feel Really Fresh for 2022