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Ever since watching the second season of “The White Lotus,” I’ve noticed a subtle (actually, relatively loud) fashion trend bubbling up on both my TikTok and Instagram feeds: maximalist fashion. It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact origins of this fad, but for now, I’m naming Jennifer Coolidge’s character’s comically Gen Z assistant, Portia, as the culprit for its latest resurgence. Love her or hate her, you can’t deny that Portia on the hit HBO miniseries managed to generate quite a bit of buzz online for her eccentric style, embracing a level of fashion chaos that’s not often seen — let alone celebrated — on TV. And while the internet has had seemingly no shortage of jokes about her heavily printed, mismatched ensembles and affinity for knit bucket hats, others appear to be trying to replicate it through the maximalism fashion trend.
While style crazes of the last few years have leaned into a “less is more” approach, typically favoring all things minimalism, the maximalist fashion trend has managed to flip the script entirely with a “more is more” approach — think lots of bright colors, quirky sets, bold patterns, eye-catching silhouettes, and practically any outfit pairing that’s sure to make a statement from the moment you walk into a room. The maximalism trend is all about finding freedom in style — it’s fun, it’s unpredictable, and frankly, it’s everything that fashion oughta be. Plus, with the influence of TikTok, we’ve discovered it’s also incredibly easy to replicate.
With that in mind, I went ahead and scoured the internet for the best maximalist fashion pieces to add to your wardrobe this year. Given that it’s been plastered all over my TikTok feed as of late, I have an inkling it’s here to stay for the long haul. From fringe skirts and tiger-print coats to striped bucket hats and even a trippy tie-dye dress, consider this your official guide for how to shop the maximalist fashion trend this year.