8 fashion trends that will be everywhere in 2023 (including one super romantic look you might want to trial for Valentine's Day)

Who doesn't love getting ahead of the trends?

January may feel like an unusual time to be thinking about spring fashion trends, but – as we all learned last year – time has actually learned to fly, and we're refusing to be caught out again come March.

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Shopping guide: Get the fabulous look for a girls brunch

That, and the fact that daydreaming about next season's wardrobe is the perfect way to tune out of all the ‘new year new me’/New Year's Resolution noise…

Luckily for us, the fashion industry is always one step – and six months – ahead, having staged its spring/summer 2023 runways in September and forecasting our new season wardrobes for us before we'd even given it one thought.

Sure, a quiet Tuesday morning in the office might not see you reach for an anthurium flower to wear across your chest (unless you're an utterly devoted Loewe stan) or a metre-wide clutch bag (although Louis Vuitton's are undeniably tempting), but the seasonal runways are nothing if not bursting with inspiration. These theatrical catwalk accents might not make their way to your wardrobes, but you'd be naïve to assume that the trends on show won't heavily influence the fashion landscape – wherever you buy your clothes.

So what's in store for spring/summer 2023?

2022's obsession with all things fuchsia makes way for a softer, pastel take on pink, while black and cobalt blue are set to be the surprise stand-out shades of the season. Low-rise waists and sheer fabrics will be rife for those looking for something a little sexy, while ‘groundbreaking’ florals for spring get a punchy, three-dimensional upgrade.

For those of you who can't wait three months to indulge, you'll be pleased to hear that there were some strong trends to suit a winter wardrobe too… more specifically, your party season wardrobe. From riqsué boudoir-inspired eveningwear to high-octane sequins and some pretty major party bags (of the glitzy kind, not the plastic 90s kind filled with Haribo, blow bubbles and a napkin-wrapped slice of cake) you'd be savvy to invest in those spring trends a few months ahead of time to truly get your money's worth.

Keen to get ahead? Scroll down for your first look at the 13 fashion trends that will be dominating all of our wardrobes by spring.

SHEER JOY

Sheer fabrics have been having a real moment for several seasons, but never more so than for spring/summer 2023. From dress overlays adding drama atop a simple evening slip to more risqué lingerie-baring pieces, it's a super sexy way to layer and add a sense of sultry intrigue to a look if you want to forgo the more traditional routes of minuscule hemlines and plunging necks.

Spotted at: (L-R) Erdem, Prada & Victoria Beckham – as well as Molly Goddard, Miu Miu, Valentino, Bottega, Chanel, Rejina Pyo, Nensi Dojaka, Cecilie Bahnsen, Susan Fang, Sinead O'Dwyer, KNWLS, Tom Ford, Sandy Liang, Maryam Nassir Zadeh, Huishan Zhang, Fendi & Acne Studios

PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 04: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY - For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) A model walks the runway during the Miu Miu Womenswear Spring/Summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on October 4, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Victor Boyko/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: A model walks the runway during the Molly Goddard show during London Fashion Week September 2022 on September 17, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/BFC/Getty Images)

(EDITORIAL USE ONLY - For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) A model walks the runway during the Miu Miu Womenswear Spring/Summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on October 4, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Estrop/Getty Images)

PARIS - 27 JANUARY: A model walks the runway at the Valentino Haute-Couture show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010 at Couvent des Cordeliers on January 27, 2010 in Paris, France. (Photo by Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/WireImage)

LOW-RISE WAISTS

It's official, the nineties' favourite low-slung waist is back in fashion. With everything from jeans to suiting, shorts to evening skirts having been given the low-rise treatment, it seems our beloved high-rise may be taking an extended sabbatical for summer 2023. Pair your new look with a crop top for full midriff-baring impact.

Spotted at: (L-R) Givenchy, Stella McCartney & Zimmermann – as well as Proenza Schouler, Nensi Dojaka & Sandy Liang

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 31: Julia Fox is seen on March 31, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rachpoot/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 17: Rita Ora leaving The Aubrey Restaurant in Knightsbridge on December 17, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Neil Mockford/GC Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 17: Julia Fox is seen on March 17, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rachpoot/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

HIGH-OCTANE SEQUINS

You don't have to tell us twice. While sequin season may traditionally fall in December to coincide with the seemingly endless stream of festive parties, 2023 is ripping up the rulebook and declaring spring/summer the perfect time for a little glitz and glamour. Crucially, for SS23 the trend adorns a softer, lighter colour palette, with pale pinks, nudes and pastels set to be the most prolific.

Spotted at: (L-R) Nensi Dojaka, 16Arlington & Huishan Zhang – as well as Chet Lo, Valentino, Area, Michael Kors, Tom Ford, Brandon Maxwell, Halpern, Richard Quinn & Chloé

PARIS, FRANCE - JANUARY 26: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY - For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) A model walks the runway during the Valentino Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2022 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 26, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Peter White/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19: A model walks the runway at the Nensi Dojaka show during London Fashion Week February 2022 on February 19, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Joe Maher/BFC/Getty Images for BFC)

(EDITORIAL USE ONLY - For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) A model walks the runway during the Valentino Womenswear Fall/Winter 2022-2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 6, 2022 in Paris, France.(Photo by Estrop/Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 01: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY - For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) A model walks the runway during the Valentino Womenswear Spring/Summer 2022 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on October 01, 2021 in Paris, France. (Photo by Dominique Charriau/WireImage)

COBALT BLUE

Fuchsia was undoubtedly the colour of 2022 (thanks, of course, to a certain Mr Pierpaolo Piccioli who ignited the trend in March at Valentino's AW22 showcase), but for SS23 the shade steps aside as a punchy blue hue takes centre stage. It's been a while since cobalt blue was at the forefront of fashion trends, and its return is a welcome one. Splashed across everything from dresses to jackets, skirts and even boots, you'll be wise to jump on this trend before we inevitably overindulge and return to our neutral wardrobes once again.

Spotted at: (L-R) David Koma, Cecilie Bahnsen & Alexander McQueen – as well as Richard Quinn

PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 28: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY - For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) A model walks the runway during the Cecilie Bahnsen Womenswear Spring/Summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 28, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Thierry Chesnot/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 10: A model walks the runway at the Alexander McQueen SS23 Womenswear show at the Old Royal Naval College on October 11, 2022 in Greenwich, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Alexander McQueen)

BOUDOIR DETAILING

Perhaps not one to trial in the office, SS23 looks set to be one very sexy season with boudoir detailing at the forefront of eveningwear. Whether you dip your toe via a sexy slip with a little lace detailing or dive straight in with a head-to-toe look complete with hold-up stockings and lace gloves.

Spotted at: (L-R) Nensi Dojaka, Versace & Burberry – as well as Tom Ford, Victoria Beckham & Christopher Kane

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: A model walks the runway during the Nensi Dojaka Ready to Wear Spring/Summer 2023 fashion show as part of the London Fashion Week on September 18, 2022 in London United Kingdom. (Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: Vittoria Ceretti walks the runway during the Nensi Dojaka Ready to Wear Spring/Summer 2023 fashion show as part of the London Fashion Week on September 18, 2022 in London United Kingdom. (Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

NEW-YORK, USA - SEPTEMBER 14: A model walks the runway during the Tom Ford Ready to Wear Spring/Summer 2023 fashion show as part of the New York Fashion Week on September 14, 2022 in NY. (Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

PARTY BAGS

If these were the bags handed out at the end of parties then perhaps fewer of us would make a tactical early exit. The antithesis of the plastic party bags of our youth – packed full of Haribo, blow bubbles and napkin-wrapped cake – these are heavily-embellished evening bags that loyally subscribe the mantra of ‘more is more’.

Spotted at: (L-R) Paco Rabanne, Fendi & Jil Sander – as well as Valentino, Hermes, Khaite, JW Anderson & Victoria Beckham

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: A model walks the runway during the Paul and Joe Ready to Wear Spring/Summer 2023 fashion show as part of the London Fashion Week on September 17, 2022 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 07: Lauren Harwell Godfrey attends the 2022 CFDA Awards at Casa Cipriani on November 07, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)

PARIS, FRANCE - NOVEMBER 12: Emy Venturini wears black square sunglasses from Gucci, gold earrings, a gold large chain necklace, a pale pink long shirt midi dress from Fendi, a beige leather and brown sheep interior cropped vintage jacket, gold rings, a brown and white print pattern clutch from Agnona, blue faded denim wide legs pants from Levis, brown shiny leather pointed pumps heels shoes from Miu Miu, during a street style fashion photo session, on November 12, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 07: Cindy Bruna seen wearing dress, mint green gloves, white faux fur bag outside Fendi during Paris Fashion Week - Haute Couture Fall Winter 2022 2023 : Day Four on July 07, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Christian Vierig/Getty Images)

HEART MOTIFS

While the season may kick off at the end of March, there's a certain February 14th feel about one of spring/summer 2023's stand-out trends. Heart motifs were spotted across endless runways in September, splashed everywhere from hips to legs, chests to hemlines. Adorning dresses, in particular, serve up the perfect date night look for those willing to wear their heart on their sleeve (or anywhere else!).

Spotted at: (L-R) Paul & Joe, Nensi Dojaka & Acne Studios – as well as Victoria Beckham & Moschino

FLOWER POWER

She may have slandered them back in 2006, but even Miranda Priestly would find these florals ‘groundbreaking’. More theatrical than your usual spring floral, next season sees the classic trend take on much more of a three-dimensional role, emerging from shirts, shoulders and even taking over your torso. Sure, the latter may be a little much for a quiet dinner with friends, but those unafraid of a stand-out fashion moment can't go far wrong with this one.

Spotted at: (L-R) Loewe, Richard Quinn & Roksanda – as well as Dior, Dries Van Noten, Nensi Dojaka, Carolina Herrera, Prada & Lela Rose