I Did It—the 9 Outdated Trends I'm Finally Ditching and Their 2023 Replacements

Like many, I have the habit of getting a bit emotionally attached to my clothing. Even if I haven't worn something in years, I tend to look at the item from a nostalgic perspective—when I wore it, who I wore it with, how I bought it, etc. The cropped jacket I wore to my Who What Wear internship interview? Still got it. The Forever 21 crochet vest I wore to pretend I was at Coachella in 2014? It has collected dust in my closet since then. While it seems endearing at first, it's now a habit that has contributed to my closet bursting at the seams. Settling into the New Year, I had to face the facts: It was time for a closet clean-out. I didn't get rid of everything, as there are some things that hold too much sentimental value and may even come back around, but a lot of it had to go.

Fashion is always evolving, and I realized that I already owned the 2023 versions of the "outdated" trends that I wasn't wearing. While I'm a believer in owning a variety of silhouettes, there simply was no need for me to hold onto a style I haven't worn in so long. Continue on to see the results of me finally cleaning out my overstuffed closet and which updates I'm keeping.

Ditching: Acid-Wash Denim

Keeping: Boxy Denim Jackets

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(Image credit: @GRECEGHANEM)

Yes, I still owned an acid-wash denim jacket, and I'm not entirely sure why. I kept holding on to it thinking it would make for a cool statement, but it's been years, and it was time to move on. Instead, I'm constantly reaching for the boxier denim jackets in my closet. 

Double denim has this ultra-cool look with a baggier jacket, and I'm also leaning into mismatching denim shades. 

Ditching: Jersey Maxi Skirts

Keeping: Denim Maxi Skirts

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(Image credit: @thatgirlyusra)

I used to own jersey maxi skirts in a multitude of colors. (My favorite was a heather grey Zara version.) I swore they were comfy, but honestly, they were always riding up and causing a bit of a wedgie. 

My love for maxi skirts still runs strong, but I've been reaching for denim versions much more lately. 

Ditching: Micro Bags

Keeping: Roomy Work Bags

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(Image credit: @smythsisters)

As I sifted through my handbags, I could not believe the size of the bags I had purchased in the past. Now I remember why I was always schlepping multiple bags—because I didn't own one quite big enough. 

My roomy work bag is now my most-used, and because of the general focus on maxi bags in the industry, there are a lot more stylish options to shop for now. 

Ditching: Tapered Trousers

Keeping: Puddle Pants

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(Image credit: @jordanrisa)

As someone who feels more comfortable in looser silhouettes, I truly can't believe I opted for tapered trousers so often in the past. Puddle pants offer a more relaxed and easygoing look overall and can switch easily from casual to formal.

Ditching: Silky Bomber Jackets

Keeping: Leather Bomber Jackets

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(Image credit: @NLMARILYN)

Silky bomber jackets had their time, and it took me a while to accept that the time is no more. Instead, leather bomber jackets have been grasping my full attention.

Ditching: Suede Jackets

Keeping: Leather Jackets

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(Image credit: @mariaalia)

I love my suede handbags and boots, but I think that leather is the way to go in the outerwear department. I find myself caught in the rain sans umbrella more often than I should be, and at least a moto jacket will keep me a little bit dry. 

Ditching: Bohemian Silhouettes

Keeping: Minimalist Silhouettes

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(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

Like I said before, I love loose silhouettes, but I can't help but cringe at how many loose layers I used to wear at once. Think loose kimonos, flowy skirts, and peasant blouses. I must have thought I should've been born in the '70s.

Now, I've been leaning toward simple and pared-back '90s silhouettes. I used to feel like I couldn't pull off minimalist pieces because I was afraid they'd come off as "boring," but clearly I was in the wrong. Easy and chic outfits all 2023, please!

Ditching: Super-Cropped Blazers

Keeping: Nipped-Waist Blazers

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(Image credit: @SYLVIEMUS_)

I wish I could go back and undo the DIY crops I made to a few of my favorite blazers (RIP).

Next, I Just Removed 50% of the Shoes From My Closet—See the Dead Weight 

Associate Fashion Editor
Yusra Siddiqui is an editor who resides in New Jersey but bounces between the suburbs and NYC. (She's a Jersey girl at heart.) After interning at Who What Wear in 2019, she found her way to the team after graduating from LIM College in 2022 with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, and Nylon, but she always knew that Who What Wear was where she was meant to be. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing the latest thing fellow Gen Zers are up to on the internet, and sharing what she can about the modest-fashion market. You can also catch her dabbling in entertainment, talking about the costume choices of the latest Netflix series or diving deeper into how the plotline affects the viewers in a myriad of ways. Lastly, she likes to create content for Who What Wear's TikTok. Her personal time is spent doing similar but also different things—deep diving into almost every new TV show (Bridgerton, Gilmore Girls, and Stranger Things are favorites), planning her next local getaway (whenever that may be), and reading the latest Emily Henry or Sally Rooney novel in one sitting.