The first few days of 2022 saw shoppers emerge from two long years of sporting comfortable, pandemic-approved clothing. But as the year progressed, Nordstrom saw customers swap sweats for smart tailoring, ditching leggings in favor of colorful ensembles, couture details and sleek, comfortable-yet-mismatched shoes. It was official: Casual wear was back in full effect.
The department store retailer rounded up some of the year’s top trends based on its customers’ behavior as a look back at how 2022 fashion has played out.
A guest attends the Metaverse Fashion Week x MIAFW Art Basel Event For Fashion Future Heritage 2023 at the Four Seasons Surf Club in Miami, Florida.
(Romain Maurice/Getty Images for Red DAO)
Dopamine dressing
Professor Karen Pine from the University of Hertfordshire undertook a study which found that what women choose to wear is highly dependent on their emotional state. When she investigated this in 2012, she found that participants who wore clothes with symbolic value to them increased their perceived confidence. Thus, the theory of “dopamine dressing” was born, created by fashion psychologist Dr. Dawn Karen.
Jeanette Chedda poses at the PAULINA’S FRIENDS show during the Winter Wonder Land fashion show as part of Amsterdam Diversity Fashion Week.
(Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images)
“This discovery shows that clothing not only affects others, but also reflects and affects the wearer’s mood,” Pine said. “Many of the women in this study thought they could change their mood by changing what they wore. It shows the psychological power of clothing and how the right choices can affect a person’s happiness.”
The study found that “happy” clothes, those that made women feel good, were well-cut, flattering and made from brightly colored fabrics. Basically, the anthesis of jeans. Although the study is 10 years old, dopamine clothing took TikTok by storm this year, embracing trends like royal-core and 2000s nostalgia.
Tiffany Hwang at the H&M x ERDEM Runway Show & Party in Los Angeles.
The scientifically proven mood-boosting trend brought with it a return to femininity, with brands like Zimmerman and Erdem giving an opportunity to dress in colour, florals and ruffles. Nordstrom shoppers were drawn to feminine footwear with details that matched the royal Bridgerton and Y2K-inspired base, with brands like Mach & Mach, Prada, Loewe and Miu Miu serving up newness and innovation.
Bright and bold
Bright, eye-catching pieces in vibrant hues were spotted everywhere, a clear shift towards cheerful colours, whether it was a bright blazer or a megawatt monochromatic look. The same can be said for accessories; playful and bold jewelry, belts, bags, and other accessories that complement outfits were one of the most prominent trends Nordstrom saw this year, and it seems to have staying power.
A model wears eye-catching colors on the runway in Los Angeles.
The clever tailor
The pandemic-induced growth of casual and comfortable clothing continues. So it’s no surprise that the retailer saw tailoring take on a softer, looser silhouette, adding a sense of ease as people returned to the office.
Loafers gave back-office workers the best of both worlds when it comes to comfort and polish.
Photo by Keith Tsuji/Getty Images)
Nordstrom noted that the innovation customers were looking for was polished, but not completely copied. Loafers, ballet flats, and even edgy sneakers replaced the old office pump.
A nod to ’60s fashion
Gigi Hadid decked out in Tommy Hilfiger tweed for the 2022 CFDA Fashion Awards at Cipriani South Street in Manhattan.
Like all good trends, 1960s style has come full circle. From tweed textures, well-tailored mini skirts and elegant color palettes to full-mode detailing, the 60s were all about high hems and structured shapes.
Buy sustainably
Nordstrom said its customers are enjoying a moment of appreciation for investment pieces that will be in their wardrobes for years to come. Smart buys that stand the test of time through their modern yet timeless design let customers feel good about making high-end purchases as a more sustainable choice (considering their longer lifespan).
Claire Shay, founder of the blog Reinventing Sustainability, wears Pangaia shorts during NYFW.
Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images
The retailer continued to expand its offerings under Sustainable Style, a category bought to help customers find responsibly produced products made with sustainably sourced materials and part of a return program. This year, Nordstrom added brands with products that qualify for Sustainable Style, including Allbirds and Pangaia.
