Fashion trends in 2023 include oversized clothing and western twists

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

“They are there a lots of trends,” says Merav Shiloni, owner of Thred in Patchogue. She doesn’t exaggerate: local shop owners and stylists agree that the main winter trends are oversized coats, trousers and sweaters; cowboy and combat boots, jackets, cargo pants and corsets; midi, maxi and mini dresses and dresses, color block, turtlenecks, heels, vests, crop tops, plaid pants, moccasins, leggings, leg warmers, small purses and massive totes. Popular colors include green, brown and black.

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

OVERSIZED COATS, TROUSERS

“Definitely, oversized items are on trend 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 fashion since the 1920s and have made a resurgence in recent years, accommodate all ages and could remain popular at least through spring.

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

COLD WEATHER HEATERS

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

She says throwback styles are an element of the nostalgia trend that’s popular among young and old today. Mazzella says that another winter favorite, plaid, will be the main look.

WESTERN VOLTS

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

“They’re all over the spectrum 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 cool sweaters.”

Pierre says she’s sold out of the western-inspired fringed poncho, but notes that she has some items with a more subtle western touch, like the purse 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 CLEAR, TOP TO BOTTOM

Another winter trend is transparent fabrics, says Pierre. “There are ultra-feminine see-through tops – lace is part of that – and see-through socks with logos like Gucci are popular.” She suggests, “Sheer socks can be worn with leather shorts, an oversized sweater and boots.”

She adds that faux leather leggings are also a top seller in her store and come 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 enhance your Instagram look and make you look super skinny, especially in black.”

Shiloni says that “leather is very strong”, but the women who visit her store are between 30 and 50 years old, and seem particularly drawn to the “glitter and glam” and trendy jackets for this winter.

GO LOAD

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

“We’ve noticed that this season everything revolves around cargo pants in various materials such as denim, leather and linen, etc.,” says owner Jordan Krauss. “You should also pick up a brightly colored vest this season.” Krauss adds, “The leg warmers are back.” But she suggests styling the ’80s favorite “in a new way” by layering it over boots.