Fashion Shockwave: Demure Style Dethrones Genderless Icons as Trad Wives and Finance Guys Reign

Hold onto your hats, fashionistas! The buzzword of 2024 is "demure", and it's not just redefining our vocabulary but also reshaping wardrobes everywhere. The fashion scene is buzzing as classic trad wives and dapper finance guys emerge as the style icons of the year. The era of loud and proud genderless fashion? It might just be taking a backseat!

Brace yourselves—the shift was inevitable! Sandy McIntyre, the fabulous non-binary model and presenter, reminds us that living beyond the binary isn't some fleeting trend. Yet, luxury brands rolled back their gender-fluid labels, leaving runways and red carpets resembling a fashion battlefield not seen in a decade.

Once adorned in bold pearls and skirts, style moguls like Harry Styles, Billy Porter, and Brad Pitt are witnessing a fashionable pivot. Iconic stores in the UK and Finland no longer boast genderless sections, and Gucci's MX line is now a whisper of what it once was.

Trend forecaster Patricia Maeda predicts a rebirth of uber-feminine designs—a modern twist on girlhood classics straight from the nostalgia vault. With Balenciaga leading the lace-laden charge, followed by Gucci, Valentino, and Miu Miu, femininity is being redefined with bows, bubble skirts, and everything in between!

On the men's side? The timeless tie makes a triumphant comeback at Louis Vuitton, Armani, and Dolce & Gabbana. But as the silhouettes shift, so does diversity, sparking a runway controversy echoed by inclusive designer Ester Manas, who made waves with an inflatable elephant at Paris Fashion Week.

Wondering if the swing towards fixed gender norms mirrors historical shifts? Remember when Bowie traded his glam for sharp suits? Could this be the result of the political climate, hinting at the likes of US politics under Donald Trump?

Paola di Trocchio, a voice of fashion academia, emphasizes that, despite the tilt towards conservatism, gender exploration is here to stay. “The genie can’t go back into the bottle,” she declares.

In the face of this style regression, McIntyre confidently strides alongside labels from the queer community—advocating for brands like Nicol & Ford, Youkhana, and Gary Bigeni, offering inclusive fashion that's both hopeful and exciting.

Minorities stand firm despite shrinking representation, with McIntyre leading the charge. “I will ensure that my skirts will get louder along with my voice. Clothing isn’t dangerous; being small-minded is.”

For a thrilling deep dive into more stories visit The Good Weekend page at The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and Brisbane Times.