What Not to Buy: A List of the Top Trends to Avoid and Love in 2024

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(Image credit: @emanuellek_)

It's time to take stock of your closet and decide what newness you're ready to embrace and the old pieces worth leaving behind. While the latest spring/summer fashion week back in September gave us a glimpse of what the biggest trends of 2024 would be, it's important to evaluate them through a lens not just of what is popular but also of what is actually worth making room for in your closet. 

Embracing a new trend requires spending your hard-earned money, so it's best to avoid anything too fleeting. Cherry-pick trends based on what's best suited to your personal style, and before you make a purchase, think about the cost per wear. The more you're inclined to put a piece on in the morning, the better the value. (Is this girl math?)

While we'll always support leaning into a micro-trend if it's something you can envision wearing all the time, we'd also be remiss if we didn't call out a few of the small tweaks that you could make to ensure your purchase does not end up sitting in the back of a drawer or gathering dust in the corners of your closet. Ahead, you'll find five swaps that will help steer your 2024 purchases into timeless territory.

Avoid: Overly Baggy Jeans

Love: Relaxed Yet Timeless Jeans

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(Image credit: @juliamateian)

You should never feel like your clothes are wearing you. If you're swimming in a pair of JNCO-style jeans, you may feel more like you're in costume than an everyday outfit. Embrace the baggy-denim trend in a slightly subtler way with relaxed jeans that still fit well. 

Avoid: Uncomfortably Tall Heels

Love: Kitten Heels You Can Walk In 

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(Image credit: @emanuellek_)

It's no fun if a new pair of heels serves no purpose but to sit prettily on a shelf. You want to slide your feet into a style that you can actually feel comfortable walking in. Kitten heels are practical, but they also happen to be cute too. 

Avoid: Neon Hues

Love: Timeless Red

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(Image credit: @lenafarl)

Red is the color of 2024, but don't write it off as a fleeting trend. A pop of cherry or fire-engine red via cozy knitwear or a bold accessory is a timeless way to add heat to your look.

Avoid: Sold-Out Collabs

Love: Classic Sportif Style

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(Image credit: @stephaniebroek)

Don't feel obligated to spend a fortune on sold-out sportswear collabs. Instead, mix in athletic touches with an elevated feel. 

Avoid: Head-to-Toe See-Through

Love: Subtly Sheer

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(Image credit: @louisahatt)

We're all for showing some skin, but if we had to gamble, totally sheer dresses don't stand the test of time. Try mixing in see-through pieces with tailored items for a more timeless look.

This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Aemilia Madden
Contributor