I'm a Buyer at The RealReal—5 Trends Everyone's Purging Ahead of 2023
No one wants to start off a new year with unwanted baggage, which is why before breaking the seal on a fresh calendar, I always make it a priority to clear out all the clothes, shoes, bags, and more that no longer suit me or my style to make room for the pieces that will in the 365 days ahead. But if there’s anything I’ve learned from doing this year in and year out, it’s that a true closet clear-out shouldn’t be done on a whim. You’ll only have regrets. Instead, it’s best to consult experts before donating a heap of clothes that could possibly hit trend status again in the near future.
With 2022 coming to an end and 2023 fast approaching, I decided to do just that to help determine which trends are ready to be retired and which I should be buying up as soon as January arrives. And who better to confer with on that topic than The RealReal's manager of women’s fashion and new initiatives, Rachel Glicksberg, who sees everything coming in and out of the luxury consignment store's stock? Without further ado, find out which trends everyone is selling off ahead of 2023 and the ones best to shop instead below.
Selling: Tailored, Relaxed Blazer
Buying: Leather Moto Jacket
"We're noticing that consignors are parting with their tailored, relaxed blazers, an office-appropriate trend long in vogue, in favor of the leather moto jackets designers like Miuccia Prada sent down the runway. Looking at Q4 to date of this year versus last, search demand for 'moto jackets' is up 41%. The more oversize, the better. Luckily for you, The RealReal has a vast supply of past season moto styles to choose from."
Shop the trend:
I recently tried this on and man, is it good.
Layer this with a hoodie underneath for every celeb's go-to airport look.
Selling: Micro Miniskirts
Buying: Pencil Skirts
"The micro mini Miu Miu skirt that was seen everywhere can be credited for the trend’s style fatigue. Retire yours, and instead shop sleek pencil skirts that nearly every designer sent down the runway. If we look at Q4 to date of this year versus last, we're seeing demand for Prada pencil skirts, for example, is up 54%. Pencil skirts from The Row are an even bigger jump, up 99%!"
Shop the trend:
For styling inspo, just look to J.Crew's head womenswear designer Olympia Gayot's Instagram.
Selling: Crossbody Handbags
Buying: Structured Top-Handle Bags
"Crossbody bags beloved by office-bound commuters had their moment, but we're now seeing more interest for boxy, structured top-handle bags like the Ana from Luar, fashion's new It bag."
Shop the trend:
Selling: TikTok Trends
Buying: One-of-a-Kind Vintage
"There's no denying TikTok’s selling power in determining trending styles, like Totême's now-viral fringe coat or Adidas's Samba sneaker. Consigning these items during the trend's peak will result in high payouts, which you can then spend on a more unique look from The RealReal’s vast vintage archive like a vintage reissued 1994 Maison Martin Margiela tattoo top."
Shop the trend:
Courrèges's ultra-mod miniskirts and cropped jackets will always be cool.
Loewe's Amazona bag is en route for a serious comeback in 2023. Buy one of the vintage styles before their prices spike.
Selling: Butterfly Motifs
Buying: Heart Shapes
"We're now seeing fatigue with the nostalgic '90s butterfly motif in favor of the classic heart. Try throwback pieces from Tiffany Co. or the more unexpected Bulgari versions on leather rope chains that are trending again."
Shop the trend:
Coming up: These Are the 11 Biggest Spring 2023 Trends, Period
Eliza Huber is a New York City based fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and Replica Handbags . She joinedBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing in 2021 after almost four years on the fashion editorial team at Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a marketing degree from the University of Iowa. She has since launched two monthly columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled the likes of Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, and Sabrina Carpenter for WWW's monthly cover features; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top trends from fashion month, season after season. Eliza now lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, running in Central Park, and scouring eBay for '90s Prada and '80s Yves Saint Laurent.
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