The Year of the Perfectly Imperfect
By Dayna Isom, Etsy Trend Expert
Etsy recently announced the release of its January Trend Guide and the hot items to watch in 2018, are exactly what we need this year: we’re welcoming imperfection with open arms.
Whether your New Year’s resolution is to level up your accessories game, get real with your home decor, or even plan that one-of-a-kind wedding of your dreams, infusing your day-to-day with some fresh picks can set you up for success and help you step into the year with a little more style and pizzazz.
These insights are gleaned from looking at products gaining momentum across Etsy and the industry as a whole: what sellers are creating, what shoppers are loving, and what’s hot right now in the wider market.
DECOR: Wabi-sabi
An ancient Japanese worldview centered on impermanence and imperfection, wabi-sabi is the perfectly imperfect (and thoroughly refreshing) philosophy behind our favorite modern home decor trend. With an emphasis on organic materials, softly textured fabrics, and natural shapes galore, wabi-sabi is all about embracing authenticity—it’s the anti-retouching. When applied to home decor, we’re talking hand-built ceramics, wrinkled linen sheets, and gently gnarled wood. Perfect for minimalists and maximalists alike, a wabi-sabi approach to home decor honors the beauty of embracing your truest self—and the reality of the space you live in.
JEWELRY: Choker Revamp
The newest versions of chokers incorporate whimsical elements like dangling quartz stones, fringe, or medallion details. Some styles even offer the option to tie the loose ends. It’s a great way to revisit the trend—while putting your own distinctive spin on it.
Mix-and-match earrings
Maybe it’s tied to the recent rise of body jewelry or the sudden spike in unconventional (and multiple) ear piercings. Whatever its roots, the asymmetrical earring look that’s been hitting high-fashion runways of late is poised to become the coolest crossover jewelry trend of 2018. In fact, there are already over 5,000 search results on Etsy for ‘mismatched earrings,’ and no sign of this trend slowing down. There are endless ways to pull it off—from color-coordinated pairs with dramatic size differences to same-size studs in varied shapes—which means you can make as big (or as small) of a statement as you’d like. Bonus: Thanks to this trend, you finally have a way to put sad solo earrings from a separated pair back into your regular rotation. Look out for this style to become a staple in 2018.
WEDDINGS: Jumpsuits
We’re seeing more and more brides forego wedding gowns.
“2018 will officially be the year of the wedding dress alternative—and not just for the bride herself,” according to Isom Johnson, “The whole wedding party is getting in on it.”
Working with shapes from the tuxedo-inspired to the romper-ish, everyone from the bride to the flower girl can skip the skirt and still stand out. Like many of this last year’s trends, it’s all about personal expression, both for the bride and her party. Because while the popularity of bridal parties has not declined—in fact, 99 percent of brides still want a traditional bridal party—two thirds of brides are choosing a personalized approach to bridal party attire, asking their bridesmaids to wear whatever fit or silhouette they prefer, as long as it’s in line with her key color themes. She wants her girl squad to feel their most confident, comfortable, and beautiful on her big day.
PLUS: The next hot hue: Ultra Violet
Drumroll please…Pantone’s 2018 Color of Year is here: ultra violet. Just as in years past, the color is sure to show up across all categories in abundance, and the Etsy community is already getting in on the party. The color—a rich, bright purple—communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking. Sounds like the exact ingredients for a successful year.
