This year 104 million shoppers started their fashion search on Lyst. We analysed the data; crunching the queries, page views and sales metrics across six million fashion products from over 12,000 online stores, alongside the global media coverage and social media mentions generated by the year’s biggest brands and trends. From streetwear to spider brooches, Timothée Chalamet to Tevas, here’s what was trending in 2019.
Sustainability: Searches including sustainability related keywords increased 75% year on year, with an average of 27,000 searches for sustainable fashion every month. Searches for specific sustainable materials rose; 102% for econyl, 52% for organic cotton, 130% for repreve and 42% for tencel. Sustainable denim and shoes were the most wanted product categories. A number of brands launched meaningful sustainability initiatives this year, from paying closer attention to the materials used in their collections, to launching donation programmes and investing in re-commerce.
Inclusivity: 2019 saw a number of vocal callouts against the industry’s lack of diversity and representation. Shoppers searched for fashion reflecting the needs and tastes of diverse communities; searches for adaptive and modest fashion rose 80% and 90% respectively. There was a 52% increase in searches for the terms ‘genderless’ and ‘gender neutral’ with fashion. “Woke” consumers looked for designers and retailers that aligned with their values and in response, some of the world’s most powerful brands launched diversity campaigns and programmes to promote inclusivity, some hiring new teams to help them improve at board level.
2019 was the year of romance and over-the-top fashion. Searches for beaded bags, pearl hair accessories, tulle skirts and babydoll dresses significantly increased this spring. Playing with proportions was a global trend: 'mini bags' saw a 50% increase in views over the summer, while brands such as Ganni, Cecilie Bahnsen, Rotate and Jacquemus turned big puffy sleeves into one of this year’s must-haves. Photo by Adam Katz Sinding
From tie-dye to neon green, psychedelic motifs and rave colours were popular this Summer. From Proenza Schouler’s knitwear to Ralph Lauren’s tie-dye polo t-shirt, customers embraced psychedelia. Searches for neon green pieces went up 69% over the summer. Photo by Adam Katz Sinding
A trend rooted in rural Americana, demure prairie dresses were one of the hottest trends of the summer, with searches peaking in July. New York-based label LoveShackFancy was the breakout brand in this new summer dress category; page views rose 65% between January and March. Photo by Adam Katz Sinding
In a politically turbulent year, customers looked to fashion for survival. Cargo pants and utility vests saw a surge in searches in the fall and demand for belt bags increased 33% over the last six months. Stomping boots sales increased 73% in September. Photo by Adam Katz Sinding
From cropped tops to square toed heels and slip dresses, Lyst saw a number of 90s trends gain momentum this year. Fendi’s Baguette bag saw a 164% rise in searches year on year, and celebrities dug out archive pieces from designers like Jean Paul Gaultier, Thierry Mugler and Versace. Photo by Adam Katz Sinding
As dress codes continue to relax and the definitions of luxury, streetwear and sportswear evolve, the phenomenon previously known as ‘streetwear’ powered the year’s biggest trends. This year, customers spent on average $192 on a new pair of sneakers, a 39% increase year on year. The average spend on a T-shirt also increased 16% to $67. Off-White was the most searched for brand of the year. Photo by Adam Katz Sinding
Searches for short suits grew 19% in March, while Scandi girls at Copenhagen Fashion Week inspired a 55% rise in page views for ‘oversized’ blazers. The most common search terms used alongside suits were ‘vivid’ and ‘bright’. Photo by Adam Katz Sinding
Viktor & Rolf’s couture show featured rainbow-coloured tulle gowns adorned with slogans. In just a couple of hours, social mentions for the brand and its “meme couture gowns” grew by over 249%.
Photo by Thierry Chesnot/Getty ImagesLegendary couturier Karl Largerfeld died in Paris at the age of 85. He had been ill for several weeks and absent from two of Chanel’s haute couture shows the month before. Virginie Viard was announced as his successor at Chanel.
Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty ImagesGirl-band Blackpink made K-Pop history when they performed on the main stage at Coachella. The video for their single “Kill This Love” broke YouTube records, becoming the fastest video to hit 100 million views; the biggest YouTube premiere of all time.
Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for CoachellaThis year’s Met Gala theme, “Camp,” saw Katy Perry dressed as a chandelier then as a burger, and Billy Porter arrived, carried by six men, in a “Sun God” ensemble. Lady Gaga had four live outfit changes on the red carpet, one of which sparked a 112% rise in searches for designer Brandon Maxwell.
Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty ImagesAfter months of speculation, Rihanna officially announced the launch of Fenty, becoming the first woman to create an original brand at LVMH. In its first month of operation, the new luxury house generated more than 5,000 media articles from around the world and over 7 million social media impressions.
Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images For FentyFrom a Chanel catsuit to Ksenia Schnaider’s asymmetrical jeans, an Off-White bodysuit, and a 3D Iris van Herpen gown, Céline Dion turned Paris into her own personal runway during Haute Couture Fashion Week. Her numerous couture looks sparked a 7,831% rise in social mentions over 4 days.
Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty ImagesMeghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, guest-edited the British Vogue September issue, entitled “Forces for Change.” Photographed by Peter Lindbergh, the cover featured 15 women chosen by Meghan for their “inspiring impact on modern life,” including Greta Thunberg, Adwoa Aboah, Jacinda Ardern, and Sinéad Burke.
Photo by @SussexRoyal/Kensington Palace via Getty ImagesFrench President Emmanuel Macron and Kering CEO François-Henri Pinault debuted the Fashion Pact. Signed by a reported 32 companies and 150 brands — including Gucci, Chanel, Hermès, Stella McCartney, H&M and Nike — the Pact presented a set of shared objectives the fashion industry will be working toward to reduce its impact on the climate, biodiversity, and the oceans.
Photo by Ole Jensen/Getty Images for Copenhagen Fashion SummitThe Savage x Fenty fashion show was streamed exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, featuring guest musical acts Halsey, Migos, A$AP Ferg and Fat Joe, as well as a diverse group of models including Alek Wek, Cara Delevingne, Joan Smalls, Laverne Cox, and Normani. Searches for Savage x Fenty lingerie spiked 43% in September.
Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty ImagesJennifer Lopez walked the Versace runway during Milan Fashion Week in a new version of her iconic “Jungle” dress, which led to the creation of Google Images in 2001. Her appearance received $9.4 million worth of media mentions and online engagement.
Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty ImagesCardi B stepped out at Paris Fashion Week dressed head-to-toe in florals by British designer Richard Quinn. Cardi’s ensemble contributed to a 17% rise in searches for the brand on Lyst in September. Later in the week she sat alongside Anna Wintour at Thom Browne, choosing a professional look by the designer. She attended Chanel in an ensemble from the fashion house that cost more than $30,000.
Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty ImagesCreative Director Virginie Viard presented her first solo ready-to-wear collection for Chanel during Paris Fashion Week, which was gatecrashed by French YouTuber “Marie S’Infiltre” when she jumped on the runway, before being stopped by model Gigi Hadid. The stunt contributed to a 2,618% rise in social mentions for Chanel.
Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty ImagesFor the royal tour of Pakistan, William and Kate chose outfits by local designers and brands, referencing regional culture and history. After Kate wore a shalwar kameez on her arrival, searches for the item increased 170% the following week. Jenny Packham, Beulah London and Ghost, brands that were worn on the tour, collectively saw a 139% spike in searches week on week.
Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images
