Kanye, Kylie and culottes: The year in fashion

As predicted by the likes of Vania Romoff and Jerome Salaya Ang at the start of the year, 2015 did indeed turn out to be “the year to dress down.”

From sneakers becoming acceptable party footwear to tracksuits and jogger pants being more than just your go-to sick day attire, this year gave us so many reasons to celebrate the lazy dresser in all of us.

On the other hand, those who preferred to keep it dressy also had a lot to be happy about with many of this year’s trends revolving around more feminine aesthetics, as demonstrated by coordinated tops and bottoms, delicate camisoles and the sleek, tailored silhouettes of culottes.

We also found that shoulder-baring tops, whether asymmetrical, garter-sleeved or just plain strapless, made quite an appearance throughout the year (here's hoping this flattering trend will continue to reveal itself in 2016).

Finally, a color palette of rainbows, soft pastels and neutrals topped off both dressed down and dressed up looks very well, pushing 2015 Pantone color of the year Marsala to the sidelines.

White sneakers, “athleisure” and Yeezy

If there’s anything that sold out in stores this year, it was those pristine white Stan Smith sneakers and every color and variation of the coveted Yeezy Boosts.

Perhaps a result of Kanye West’s major style influence, the laid-back, sporty and edgy fashion trend now known as “athleisure” has stolen the throne from the 90s-inspired street wear trend of 2014.

What may be seen as the union of minimalistic, streamlined “normcore” and your upgraded workout wardrobe, the athleisure aesthetic is characterized by low-key neutrals, relaxed silhouettes and athletic fabrics like jersey, neoprene and good old cotton.

Some would argue that athleisure is just an excuse to wear your glorified t-shirt and sweatpants out of the house, but if style icons and celebrities the world over have proved anything about this trend, it’s that pulling off this look is actually a subtle art.

Matchy-matchy, midi and maxi

On the other hand, the cute coordinates and feminine full skirts that carried over from 2014 are not as tricky to pull off as athleisure. Matching tops and bottoms à la Jackie O, Kate Middleton, or even Clueless’ Cher Horowitz gave us an instant solution to looking stylish and put-together while full midi- and maxi-length skirts had us looking dainty all day long.

Here’s hoping that polished, feminine dressing will continue to reign supreme in 2016.

Showing off those shoulders

Speaking of polished feminine dressing, another very flattering trend that should carry over to 2016 is the art of sophisticated shoulder-baring. 2015 had us pulling our sleeves down and out or removing our straps altogether.

With the appearance of every kind of bare neckline—from asymmetrical necklines and sparingly strapped camisoles to structured straitjacket sleeved tops and strapless bustiers—it was a great year to show off those shoulders!

Ambiguous bottoms

A trend as ambiguous in reception as the structure of the garment itself, culottes (yes, there is a specific word for those pants that look like a skirt) have proved to be the most challenging item in our closets this year. However, those of us who have figured out how to wear them right can attest to the rewards a classy pair of culottes can bring.

The skort, which is kind of like the more casual, preppy younger sibling of culottes, also made a comeback this year. This pair of shorts made to resemble a skirt represents a wonderful compromise between the dressiness of a skirt and the comfort of a pair of shorts. It’s great that it’s also much friendlier in mixing and matching compared to culottes.

Those lace-up flats

Not wanting to be left behind, there was one more major shoe trend that emerged in the latter part of the year. You surely know this one—pointy-toed, a cross between gladiator sandal and ballerina flat. There is a name for the original design of those lace-up flats that are just everywhere, in every shop and on every foot and it is the Christy Lace-Up Flat from Italian shoe brand Aquazzura.

Given that the design is so distinct and is now being so copiously replicated, the trend will probably not last very long. You have to hand it to Aquazzura, though, for creating such a popular design. Imitation is indeed the highest form of flattery.

Unicorn hair, pastel palettes and King Kylie

Finally we have the trend so colorful it could not be ignored: unicorn hair and the pastel invasion. Possibly helped along by the explosion of rainbow bright pride last June 26, we’ve seen unusual colors popping up on the crowns of celebrities and the average jane or joe alike.

Following last year’s shift to near-white or platinum hair, this year has been a great year to inject color back into those roots—and not just any color, but every color, in light, cotton candy hues.

And speaking of color, despite being the Pantone color of the year for 2015, Marsala hardly made a mark this year. The peak of its time was most likely when it landed on Kylie Jenner’s filler-enhanced pout and the whole world tried to copy it.

It’s also worth noting that King Kylie was among the many celebrities from Katy Perry to Cara Delevingne who rocked pastel colored tresses this year, and that may be why dyed hair got so trendy in the first place.

Apart from in hair color, we’ve been seeing pastels popping up in every other collection of garments and accessories as well throughout the year. It’s no surprise then that we can look forward to a 2016 filled with the dreamy shades of Rose Quartz and Serenity, as predicted by Pantone. It seems that many of 2015’s trends aren’t ready to leave the stage just yet, and we are just as reluctant to let them go.

Pantone’s Color of the Year Has a Political Edge https://t.co/IQk7j9LAWw pic.twitter.com/4oqDWlsUQs

— PANTONE (@pantone) December 29, 2015