I’m Jess Vanderbeck, your chronically on Pinterest correspondent on all things style, and this is Fetch.
I ran this column under that name “Fetch Fits” in my high school newspaper for four years, and as I grew, it grew with me. When I graduated, I decided to take it with me, continuing to cultivate what it’s become and well, giving it a fresh new look. Instead of “Fetch Fits,” which is a bit reductive to only talking about fashion, I have decided to have it be known as “Fetch,” where I go out and find whatever is happening in the world of not only fashion, but also makeup, accessories, and my many other interests, and I bring it to you in the form of slightly unhinged recaps.
This month, to celebrate a new year of new possibilities, I bring you my predictions for what I want to see both on my feed and on Park Ave., broken up into seven categories (because it’s my lucky number) and two suggestions each (because I’m indecisive.) Keep reading to find out what they are!
Clothes: 2010’s Revival and Proportion Play
Let’s start with what everybody’s talking about: 2016 core. If the “2016” revival has taught us anything, it’s that we, as a generation, have no sense of time and probably can’t count. Yes, the nostalgia feels incredible, but latching on to a specific number instead of a general time frame (like when we brought back the 2000’s) is the increased expectation to be historically accurate. I think the easiest solution is to shift that energy to bringing back all things 2010’s, which not only reduces pressure to make sure everything we do is exactly correct for 2016, but also opens up a wider variety of styles to be brought back. Whether you’re striving for Hipster, Twee, Tumblr Grunge, or Swag Asian (If you know, you know,) dressing how you always wanted to dress when you were kid is all fair game. As for a more general prediction, one of the easiest ways to experiment in the new year is with proportions. Are you big shirt little pants, little shirt big pants, both, neither? Creating new silhouettes is a great way to make a “boring” outfit stand out.
Hair: Intricate Styles and Quirky Colors
The 2010’s was truly one of the eras for hairstyles of all time: space buns, messy buns, “boxer braids,” that half up bun that looked like a pile of shit on top of your head. With a few modifications, a lot of these styles have the potential to be brought back: space buns can be looser and lower, half up half downs can feature cute accessories like bows, and if we try really hard, maybe side parts can become mainstream again. And of course, you can’t talk about 2010’s hair without mentioning bright dip-dyes. Pink, blue, green, purple- none of that cowboy-copper-cookie-butter-swirl stuff. Adding a pop of color in your hair to match your outfits could be really fun, whether that means hitting your favorite salon, hunching over the bathroom sink, or opting for less permanent strategies like clip-on bangs or extensions. Get some blue going on for the new year!
Makeup: “2016 Makeup” and Lots of Sparkle
While “2016” makeup, in all of its cut-crease, lip-kit glory has been parodied plenty, there’s nothing wrong with more glam making a comeback. And if the rise of Zara Larsson means anything, it means that Generation Z is dying to bring back colorful, sparkly makeup looks. I think the easiest way to do this is to take inspiration from the obsession with the glowy, dewy, glossy makeup that has plagued us the past few years and start introducing sparkles in small ways, like lip gloss and highlighter. Colorful mascara in shades like navy, burgundy, and dark green can also add interest while making your eyes stand out. But of course, if you’d prefer going full two-toned glittery cut crease with a matte lip to match, go right ahead.
Nails: DIY Nail Art and A Fun New Trend
2025 nail inspo was certainly… unique. From grocery list adjacent trends like “butter nails” and “blueberry milk nails” to the vaguely Freudian “red nail theory,” trend leaders really were just doing anything, and I think we need to get back on track. The 2010’s really was a great time for nail art, with an abundance of tutorials on everything from water marbling to tiny tuxedo nails (anyone else remember cutepolish?) And of course, in today’s economy, dropping $140 on a set of acrylics isn’t viable for everyone. Plus, in an era of press-on kits and nail stickers, taking the DIY route might be a little trickier, but it provides the biggest hit of satisfaction when you “nail” your vision (get out!) In addition to bringing back the era of fun fingernails, I also want to suggest a trend of my own creation: if everyone has a lip combo, why not make a nail combo to match? Whether that means glossy pinks and reds or doing crazy face paint, I think this hypothetical trend would be equal parts viral and unique.
Bags: Trending Charms and Mary Poppins Energy
Well, it’s time to address the elephant — or , well, the monster — in the room. I’ll just come out and say it: we gotta stop Labubus. Yes, you can still like them and collect them, but as they’ve turned into mascots for overconsumption and brainrot, I just don’t think they can be fashionable statements the way that they used to. But clearly, bag charms and keychain culture isn’t going anywhere, so what’s next? Personally, I nominate Tokidoki for becoming the next big thing. Created in 2005 by Italian designer Simone Legno and inspired by his love of Japanese culture, the brand boasts a wide variety of characters, from the super-sweet Donutella to the adorably dark reapers of Till Death Do Us Part. And of course, you can find all of them in blind box or keychain form, perfect for displaying on your everyday bag or belt loop. To maximize the number of charms you can hang on your bag, I think that bags of choice will become even bigger. Goodbye baguette bags, hello to giant, slouchy satchels that you can actually fit loaves into.
Shoes: Jelly Sandals and Platforms, Please!
I’ll be honest with you: I flinch every time I see a pair of ballet flats. The shoe height pendulum needs to swing back to platform stat — especially if we’re going to keep wearing baggy pants. While flat shoes like Adidas Sambas and Onitsuka Tigers can be styled nicely, do you really want wet, muddy jeans after walking places when it rains? I didn’t think so. To keep with the 2010’s revival, I can see a variation of the iconic Jeffrey Campbell Lita Shoes taking off. Perhaps not those shoes exactly, but a shoe that’s equally tall, chunky, and packing the right amount of edgy-yet-feminine edge that we haven’t discovered yet — or people will resell Litas for the price of a down payment on a house on Depop. Another shoe I can imagine coming back into the mainstream are (and I’m going to hold your hand when I saw this) jelly sandals. While I’m all for the bright, glittery variant, I can see more neutral shades, like black, white, brown, or red popping up in catalogs everywhere. For a really unique look, the more adventurous can even try layering them with fun socks or tights to keep the socks and sandals debate going.
Colors: Olive Green and Very Berry
This last section might seem a little random, but the debate over the supreme “color of the year” nomination was actually what inspired me to make predictions of my own. Between straitjacket white and bong water blue, both options just weren’t doing it for me. So, my two nominations are Olive Green, which is such a timeless color, and Very Berry, which is a name that I made up initially, but upon checking the pantone website, discovered is a very real color. They might seem more inclined to being fall-winter shades, but I think they could work year-round by being incorporated as motifs, like orchids or green-olive-garnished martinis. They can also be worn together or separately, and look great on purses, eyelids, and nails. I really enjoy them, and I hope you do too.
And those are all of my predictions (or well, manifestations) for what we’ll be wearing in 2026! I hope you’ll consider giving some of these a try, and be sure to tune in for more super-stylish content next month!
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