ASOS predicts top five fashion trends for Gen-Z in 2023

ASOS design experts have revealed their predictions for the top five trends in 2023 for those aged between 20 and 29.

According to ASOS’ Commercial Design and Visual Director, Vanessa Spence, Head of Menswear Design, Nick Eley, and Head of Womenswear Design, Melika Imoru, its target demographic be taking inspiration from Ariel, Barbie and Ken and noughties icons this year.

The list of trends and influences for this year include:

1. Film and music stars are expected to have a major influence on fashion in 2023. Avatar: The Way of Water, and The Little Mermaid, will likely drive appetite for sheer and ethereal dresses and tops, while bright pink – a colour seen across all the catwalks in 2022 – will feature again, thanks to the upcoming release of Barbie, featuring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.
2. Olivia Rodrigo, a favourite among Gen-Z, is set to release new music in 2023. Known for her love of grunge and 90’s fashion, ASOS predicts she’ll be a leading source of style inspiration next year, alongside Zendaya and Jenna Ortega, star of Netflix series Wednesday.
3. Ballet core is expected to grow further in popularity, with pastel tones of greys, nudes, creams and white driving looks that feel feminine yet functional. ASOS expects sales of ballet pumps, base layer jersey tops and sheer bias slips and skirts to grow.
4. The presence of denim on catwalks is taking off again with a resurgence of key noughties brands like Diesel. Double denim is a key look, referencing back to the icons of the era like Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears.
5. Traditional trainers are back with sales taking off for Adidas Samba and Gazelle styles. Clashing colour pops are on the scene but the “it” rotations are between black, white and gum colours, seen on the likes of Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid.

ASOS 2023 Imagery

In addition, a survey commissioned by ASOS of 2,000 Brits aged 20-29 found that they consider clothing and fashion to be their most important priority when it comes to spending in 2023, citing it as important to their wellbeing.

Those surveyed said they are more likely to protect their spending on fashion than other categories of discretionary spending, such as going out with friends, streaming services, gym subscriptions and sports or eating out. Over two-thirds (69%) say they will spend the same or more on clothes and fashion in 2023 as they did in 2022 despite the cost-of-living crisis.

Nearly nine in 10 (87%) of 20-somethings surveyed consider themselves fashion followers, with more than two-thirds (68%) saying their fashion choices are an important way to express themselves.

Vanessa Spence, Commercial Design and Visual Director at ASOS said: “Fashion remains a huge part of most 20-somethings’ lives. What we wear has a massive impact on how we feel and it can help uplift us, make us feel more confident, optimistic and able to express who we are. 2023 is going to be a year dominated by film, ballet core, and grunge trends. We can expect to see sheer and ethereal styles, grunge and 90s fashion or ballet inspired fits on fashion-loving 20-somethings.”