2020 Trend Talk
This article is an online version of the print article for the S/S ‘20 Lexington Line edition. The print version can be viewed here!
New York City college students are known to have their finger on the pulse of emerging fashion trends, so we sat down with three of them to learn about their taste in accessories and thoughts on what trends are coming back in 2020.
Source: Sofia
Sofia Gonzalez
NYU Dance Major
Class of 2023
What is your favorite way to accessorize?
Either wearing my chains and necklaces or having a bright color painted on my nails.
What accessory trends do you think are coming back in 2020?
Heavy and bulky type jewelry is becoming popular in 2020, as well as high platform sneakers or boots.
What accessory trends do you wish to see come back in 2020?
I want those feather hair extension trends from the early 2010s to come back in 2020—they were subtle and fun.
Source: Pinterest
Source: Gabriela
Gabriela Akel
Parsons Fashion Design Major
Class 2023
What is your favorite way to accessorize?
I consider jewelry to be very revealing about someone’s personality. The number of rings they wear, if they mix up the metals—gold, silver, rose-gold, etc. I love wearing different earrings in every piercing I have, and most times, I like adding on one larger pendant to one of the piercings. Existing objects can be worn like jewelry, such as chains and safety pins.
What accessory trends do you think are coming back in 2020?
They mainly revolve around headwear. We’ve seen bucket hats coming back, but I think soon people will start adopting pieces like cowboy hats and flat caps into their wardrobes. The cowboy aesthetic has been growing in the pop culture world with artists like Lil Nas X and Orville Peck making it an artistic aesthetic choice. Headbands are also continuing to grow.
What accessory trends do you wish to see come back in 2020?
Bib necklaces from the 1940s. Choker necklaces have been popular in the last decade, and this trend would be a statement version of chokers. Bib necklaces replace collars, but sometimes are mere pearl strings that stream from one’s neckline. They bring an extreme sense of elegance to any outfit and can vary in style. I would love for gloves to come back in 2020, too. I think they can be modified but remain a timeless, classic, and chic way to accessorize.
Source: Pinterest
Source: Devon
Devon Smith
LIM College International Business Major
Class of 2023
What is your favorite way to accessorize?
I would say layering metals, like doing gold and silver at the same time. The first time I saw layering metals was in Italy, this woman on the side of the road was wearing it, and I really liked it. That was my sophomore year in high school, and now it's everywhere and I love it.
What accessory trends do you think are coming back in 2020?
People are really into chains right now and the pocket chain is coming back in style. I think that the small shoulder bag is also coming back in style, and it’s my favorite thing right now.
What accessory trends do you wish to see come back in 2020?
I would say that I’ve always been obsessed with belts, like the chain belt. I really liked how in the early 2000’s everyone would wear weird, colorful belts, almost like knitted belts. If that came back, it would be really cute since low-rise jeans are coming back, so if that comes back, then the belts have to come with it.
Source: Pinterest
Accessory Trend Report
Nostalgia is creeping into 2020 accessory trends. Some predictions suggest an old-timey classic look that will have us wearing more gloves and hats. There is also a new demand for 1940s bib necklaces, bulky silver, and gold chain necklaces. In fact, our love for mixing and stacking metals will continue to steal the spotlight in 2020. We are also seeing a recurrence of early 2000s trends—on the streets and on social media, the iconic low-rise jeans we never thought would come back are proving otherwise, along with pocket chains, colorful belts, and out of-the-box hair extensions. Shoulder bags will also make a comeback due to the adorable Prada shoulder bags that we just can’t resist.
Some designer accessory collections worth checking out: Palm Angels, R13, Lafayette 148, Carolina Herrera, Nicole Miller, Palm Angels, Dion Lee, and Staud.