Fashion trends of 2023 include oversized clothing and western twists

IWhether you’re looking to head west for the winter or in any other direction, there’s something on this season’s list of fashion trends that’s sure to warm you up no matter what you’re up to. From western-inspired looks and twists on styles from other decades to rugged leather and sharp cut-outs, the must-have options in stores on Long Island and beyond seem endless this year.

“They exist many trends,” says Merav Shiloni, owner of Thred in Patchogue. No exaggeration: Local store owners and stylists agree that the top winter trends are oversized coats, pants and sweaters; cowboy and combat boots, blazers, cargo pants and corsets; midi, maxi and mini skirts and dresses, color blocks, turtlenecks, sheer pants, tank tops, crop tops, plaids, pleated loafers, leggings, leg warmers, small purses and tote bags. Popular colors include green, brown and black.

Here’s a look at what’s coming and what’s coming:

OVERSIZED COATS, TROUSERS

“Oversized things are definitely trendy for winter,” says Joanna Mazzella, owner of Mint Clothing Boutique, who studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan. Her store, with locations in Mattituck, Westhampton Beach, Stony Brook and Southampton, has a customer base she describes as “mothers, daughters and grandmothers.”

Mazzella notes that wider pant silhouettes, which have been in and out of style since the 1920s and have seen a resurgence in the past few years, are being embraced by all ages and may remain popular at least through spring.

“Wide-leg pants and jeans are huge, with a more fitted top to show off the pants,” says Mazzella. “Maybe because they’re so far from what we were doing — it’s a throwback to the ’90s look — we were doing skinny and straight legs.”

COLD WEATHER HEATERS

Turtlenecks have long been a cold-weather staple and popular for layering, says Mazzella, but this winter they’ll be worn in a different way, “under a jumpsuit or a dress that I haven’t seen since the ’90s.”

He says throwback styles are part of a nostalgic trend that’s now popular among young and old. Mazzella says another winter favorite, plaid, will be a major look.

WESTERN TWISTS

Sagine Pierre, stylist and owner of Sage & Angie Boutique in West Hempstead, says that among her core clientele—women 25 and older—cuts and western styles or details are key to being stylish this winter.

“They run the gamut in terms of style, size and placement,” Pierre says of the cutouts. “They’re on the sides of pants, on the sides and front of dresses, and on cold sweaters.”

Pierre says she’s sold out of the Western-inspired fringe poncho, but notes that she has some items with a subtler Western connection, like the handbag she carries in trendy green and black. “It’s actually western influenced because of the snakeskin.

Mazzella adds, “We’ll see Western influences or details on everything from hats and belts to footwear and clothing.”

LEATHER OR CLEAN, TOP TO BOTTOM

Another winter trend is sheers, says Pierre. “There are ultra-feminine sheer materials in tops – lace is part of that – and sheer stockings with logos like Gucci are popular.” She suggests: “Sheer stockings can be worn with leather shorts, an oversized sweater and boots.”

She adds that faux leather leggings are also a bestseller in her store and are available in a variety of colors.

“Leather leggings are good when you’re going somewhere and you’re not sure what to wear, but you know you don’t want to wear jeans,” says Pierre. “They can elevate your look for Instagram and make you look super skinny, especially in black.”

Shiloni says that “leather is very tough,” but the women who visit her store are in their 30s to 50s and seem particularly drawn to the “sequins and glam” and trendy blazers for this winter.

DRIVE A TRUCK

Love and Honey Boutique in East Meadow is a hot spot for fashionistas ages 13 to 30 and has a great selection of cargo pants along with other items that reflect just about everything else that’s on trend.

“This season we’ve noticed that it’s all about cargo pants in different materials like denim, leather and linen, etc.,” says owner Jordan Krauss. “This season you should also wear a vest in bright colors.” Krauss adds, “Leg warmers are back.” However, he suggests styling the ’80s favorites in a “new way” by placing them over shoes.