by Mary Kinney
The holiday season may be in full-swing, but 2023 is just around the corner. To help you prepare your shop, we’re sharing our latest round of insights on the products shoppers could be searching for on Etsy next season. This year saw trends from across the spectrum: 2022 was the year of crustaceancore, regency-inspired weddings, hot pink everything, coastal grandma aesthetics, and emerald green. For 2023, we anticipate that shoppers will actively embrace duality and contradiction in their lives: Pairing vibrant tones with earthy hues, mixing and matching styles in fashion and decor, and tapping into both nostalgic and futuristic aesthetics.
In the face of much change and turbulence over the past several years, many folks are also experiencing a renewed focus on self care and community. In practice, this means shoppers are seeking out items that are sold locally, celebrate their cultural heritage, or demonstrate a conscious connection to a particular craft—all the while embracing their individuality and eclectic taste.
The year-over-year (YoY) increases below were calculated by comparing search volume on Etsy from July through October 2022 to the same period of 2021.
Table of Contents
Occasions
Trends to watch
How to use this report
The insights here can inspire you to make updates both big and small. Optimize your shop for the upcoming season by:
- Getting ideas for new products.
- Brainstorming content ideas for your social media promotions.
- Updating your photos with on-trend styling.
- Refreshing your Shop Banner with seasonal details.
- Including seasonally relevant top-searched terms in your tags, titles, and descriptions.
- Timing your inventory to take advantage of upticks in relevant searches and in advance of key occasions.
- Choosing which listings to promote through Etsy Ads.
Etsy's colors of the year: indigo and honeycomb
In concert with 2023’s theme of duality, Etsy has chosen not one but two colors as its color of the year. Complementary colors that side-by-side bring out the other’s radiance: Indigo hues invoke a gorgeous night sky and joyful honeycomb lights up a room or outfit just like the stars above us. Consider incorporating one or both of these rich hues into your inventory or listing photos for added depth and vibrance.
Occasions
New Year's refresh
Shoppers are entering 2023 with optimism and motivation to make it a successful year with a keen eye on budgeting and overall value.
Encouraging words
Folks are pursuing all sorts of goals with newfound optimism. Motivation planners, inspirational home office wall art, and thoughtful just-because cards are on shoppers’ lists in 2023.
Budgeting and planning
With more transparency amongst influencers and colleagues alike, people are hoping to create a budget that works for their particular needs, and they’re looking for the right (and stylish) tools to do so.
206% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing “monthly budget”
Small but mighty
Just because some are tightening their belts this winter doesn’t mean that they’re abandoning shopping entirely. Instead, they’re focusing on small but meaningful gifts for their loved ones (and themselves!), like personalized tokens, DIYs that offer a way to relax and bond with friends near and far, and items that speak to a person’s cultural background.
48% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing “paint by number kit adult”
Spotlight on wellness
As the new year rolls around and resolutions come into play, buyers are hoping to emphasize self care in their purchases. Think: cozy robes, weighted blankets, and fashionable lounge and activewear.
69% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing “blanket throw”
Valentine's Day
For the holiday celebrating love of all kinds, buyers fall on a spectrum between simple, romantic forms and digitally inspired, high-octane decor. There are no rules, so folks will likely mix-and-match styles for a truly eclectic aesthetic.
Simplified romantic
Some folks are using Valentine’s Day to pare down with classic, simple heart-shaped forms, retro-style floral patterns, and meaningful DIY keepsakes. Ephemeral gifts like flowers come with a reusable pitcher or other timeless items that recipients will treasure long after the blooms have faded.
30% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing “chrome heart ring”
Organic and nature-inspired
The love of natural fibers, earthy colors, and organic forms remains strong among buyers. Look to rustic materials as a base and elevate them with vintage colored glassware, luxurious linens, delicately woven wicker and rattan baskets, and quilted tapestries and tableware. Dried flowers, mushroom motifs, and rich textures emphasize the rooted feeling of the natural world and a reverence for all things handcrafted.
20% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing “wooden mushroom”
Maximalist gifting
A carry-over from 2022, euphoric gifting remains strong for those who prefer to go all-out for the holiday. For a very Y2K-inspired inventory, consider offering items that cater to a maximalist color palette, including neon pinks, deep lavenders, sunflower yellows, and iridescent tones.
119% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing “iridescent glass vase”
Pared-down tablescapes
After much fuss over butter boards and grazing tables, many hosts are approaching Valentine’s Day with a little more simplicity and focus on a few exceptional pieces like linen napkins, a single eye-catching centerpiece, and a colorful table runner.
Mother's Day
Falling on March 19 in the UK and May 14 in the US, Mother’s Day this year will largely be focused on finding new takes on traditional gifts.
Personalized to a T
As ever, customizable gifting is a popular choice for Mother’s Day, and helps make any purchase a little more special. We expect mainstay gifting items like personalized necklaces, birth flower charms, and custom family portraits to be go-tos for gifters.
56% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing “personalize gift mom”
Natural luxuries
Spa dates are a Mother’s Day staple, and this year, shoppers are focusing on organic materials that create a calming-yet-inviting vibe, including fresh scents like lemon verbena.
Staples with a twist
Shoppers are looking to gift the moms in their lives elegant everyday items with novel details. Think: A vase with an unusual design, a woven blanket with a delicate fringe, a mug or planter in an unexpected color.
53% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing “initial necklace gold”
Bright and playful accents
Another extension of euphoric gifting, colorful patterns and bold shapes are making a splash, particularly in the paper and party supplies category. Consider items that invite a childlike wonder or aesthetic, like whimsical Mother’s Day cards, fresh neon decor, imperfect doodle prints, and graphic shapes.
1420% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing “hot pink decor”
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Trends to watch
Decor trends
During the winter season, some shoppers are hoping to capitalize on what some are calling “the great indoors” by creating a sense of cozy sanctuary in their homes, incorporating earthy cabin-inspired decor and embracing a perfectly imperfect, lived-in feel. Others are looking for more of a futuristic aesthetic, pulling in space age furniture and metallic accents.
Cozy vibes
With cooler temperatures and more folks spending time indoors, a comfortable, welcoming home is top-of-mind. Chunky blankets, handmade quilts, pillar candles, and soft textures are making their way into homes, all in service of snuggling up indoors.
96% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing “cozy room decor”
Desert icons
Crustaceancore and coastal seashells are still having a moment, but desert-inspired landscapes with earthy colors like pumice and rufous clay are on the rise along with speckled, textured ceramics that mimic the look and feel of both sandy shores and arid deserts.
Jewel-toned jungle
Equal parts whimsical and moody, jungle motifs like banana leaves, tree frogs, and fern fronds set against dark backdrops highlighting emerald green and magenta hues have buyers snuggling up, embracing the darker days, and cultivating a natural influence in their decor. Iridescent and metallic accents are also making their way into this styling.
126% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing “dark floral wallpaper”
Natural palette
We’re seeing moss green, soft blues, clay-colored reds, and soothing neutrals as base tones across home decor, with pops of mood-boosting hues reflected in the accessories, such as candles, accent pillows, and table linens.
48% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing “earth tone wall art”
Harvest fest
In anticipation of spring and the farmer’s market bounty that comes with it, cabbage, radish, and string bean motifs—as well as cherries and citrus—are expected to pick up steam. This trend fits naturally into culinary and dining spaces, like serveware, plates, and kitchen linens.
Versatile, pet-centric designs
Flexible living has been an emphasis for a few years now, and those living in smaller, multi-use settings are prioritizing pampering their precious pets with architectural and aesthetic pet furniture, like modular, wall-mounted cat perches and customized dog beds made from natural materials.
902% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing “cat tree natural wood”
Marble marvels
Marbled patterns with heavy veining, squiggle shapes, and lava-like organic forms are on the rise in the home, especially in the kitchen. Consider incorporating waves in small details like an organic scallop along a set of bowls. Or, promote designs that feature the layered waves reminiscent of marble and quartz.
346% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing “marble coaster set”
Contemporary cabin aesthetics
Trendy cabin getaways have made their way into everyday decor, offering a new take on the traditional rustic style, sometimes taking a nod from ‘70s-inspired boho designs. Furniture, wall art, and kitchen accessories that showcase intricate, geometric woodwork are expected to gain popularity throughout the season.
332% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing “wall decor wood”
The return of the room
Because working from home has become a long-term reality for many, open floor plans are less in vogue in favor of segmented spaces for work, sleep, and play. Clever room dividers like slatted panels, carefully-placed bookcases, and closed (rather than open) shelving help individuals separate their homes to fit the multiple facets of their lives.
Metallic details
Not to be outdone by the nature-inspired neutrals mentioned above, metallic accents are also having a moment. Chrome accent decor, iridescent vases, metal statement lighting, and vintage glassware cater to a futuristic feel, while also tapping into a nostalgia for Y2K and 1970s space age decor.
56% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing “space age furniture”
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Style trends
This year, creative layering, maximalist styling, and utilitarian outerwear are on the rise as shoppers hope to keep warm in the winter and early spring and look good while doing so.
Outdoorsy and utilitarian
Despite the often unpredictable weather that comes with the transition of seasons, folks are still seeking to spend time outdoors. They’re enlisting useful-yet-fashionable, hiking-inspired outerwear for the job, a style that some are calling “gorpcore,” named after the hiker’s shorthand for trail mix. (Gorp is an acronym that stands for “good ol' raisins and peanuts.”) In practice, this means padded jackets with quilted textures, pants with ample pocket space, high-fashion athletic wear, and retro-inspired puffer vests are on the rise.
98% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing “quilted vest”
Category is… dress codes
Events that traditionally might be formal, black-tie affairs have become an opportunity to create joyful and unexpected outfits. Especially with the ever-growing trend of nontraditional weddings, where invites may include a particular color palette or motif (such as florals), a challenge to dress for a particular era (like disco), or to come as a walking work of art.
32% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing “floral wedding dress”
Motorcycle aesthetics
An outgrowth of the grungy and ‘90s punk trend, racer jackets, bodycon looks, and streamlined silhouettes inspired by biker culture and rock ‘n roll took Paris Fashion Week by storm and are on the rise with consumers.
107% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing “racing jacket”
Lingerie all day
Fashionistas are incorporating fluid silks, lovely lace, and textured trims into their everyday fashion looks. Maximalist “get ready with me” social media accounts and vintage Edwardian garment lovers alike have found lingerie to be the perfect layering piece for any season.
34% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing “Edwardian skirt”
Cardigan comeback
As shoppers continue to layer up, they’re looking for versatile cardigan pieces that can be dressed up for a cute and trendy preppy look or dressed down for an edgy grunge-inspired outfit. This trend extends to children’s clothing, particularly with neutral tones, playing with the related trend of dressing up little ones as senior citizens.
New takes on the suit
Adjustable blazers, trousers, button-ups with asymmetric tailoring, and suits with bold patterns and colors have been popping up at Fashion Week events across the world and in influencers’ closets. Consider novel takes on formalwear that nod to this trend. This is also an excellent opportunity to tap into the gender neutral clothing trend that we reported on in the Fall Marketplace Insights Report.
281% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing “90s blazer”
Edgy embroidery
An increasingly popular topic on social media, embroidery is getting a fresh update in 2023. Consider tongue-in-cheek nods to the preppy origins of monogrammed bags and clothing, and try embroidery in unexpected places like a sweatshirt collar or on denim jeans.
Accessory stacking
Stacking rings have long been a staple, but now bracelets, necklaces, and earrings are joining in on the fun. Minimalist, gold necklaces of varying lengths and hoops, huggies, and studs that can accommodate multiple piercings are particularly enticing to buyers.
47% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing “huggie earrings”
Dressing for the inner child
In the continued wave of Y2K and ‘90s nostalgia, youthful aesthetics reminiscent of children’s wear from the particular era are gaining steam. Bright colors, graphic sweaters, and cutesy charms are of particular interest. We’re seeing this trend across fashion categories, but especially in accessories, including bags, jewelry, and hair pieces.
61% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing “crossbody bag”
Shapeless silhouettes
An aesthetic that pairs comfort and androgyny, some shoppers are seeking out billowy clothing, oversized button-ups, and wide-legged pants that are part septuagenarian art teacher, part gender-fluid, grungy rebellion. This trend is emerging across the gender spectrum, of particular note with young men.
Oversized accoutrements
Adding to the shapeless silhouettes trend, oversized accessories and details are also having a moment. Large bows, super-sized bags, puffy sleeves, and bubble hems are making a splash with shoppers.
354% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing “chain necklace chunky”
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