The 6 Most Popular Accessory Trends of 2019 (and 6 That Will Replace Them)

The start of a new decade is always exciting, but before we dive headfirst into 2020 and all the pending fashion moments it holds, let's take a look back at some of the biggest trends from last year. Today, we're chatting solely about accessories—everything from handbags to shoes. Last year was filled with some pretty iconic trends, but according to the S/S 20 runways, everything that's in store is about to trump all the trends you thought you weren't tired of.
Now, the 2019 trends listed ahead are not "out" by any means. So if you're still rocking floss heels and bucket hats, godspeed. This story is not to shame any one trend or person, but it is here to show you the shiny new 2020 version of your favorite pieces. Trends are cyclical, repeating themselves at a rapid rate, so comparing the new to the old for you here will hopefully get you excited for the upcoming accessory assortment that will soon be gracing your closets.
2019: Floss Heels
2020: T-Strap Sandals
Barely there strappy sandals, or "floss heels" as we like to call them, were the talk of the town all last year. This shoe trend is a part of the evolution of the naked shoe movement, and up next in 2020, floss heels will get a slight update thanks to the rise of the T-strap sandal. This new take on the trend feels fresh enough to get people talking while being just as wearable as the floss heels we all know and love.
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2019: Logo Bags
2020: '90s Shoulder Bags
Logo bags aren't going out of style by any means, but while 2019 was all about the Dior Saddle and the Fendi Baguette, 2020 will be about new takes on those returning classics. In particular, the '90s shoulder bag made quite a statement on the spring runways featuring exciting new details like chain straps, crazy prints, and everything in between. So this year, instead of feeling like you have to stick to a label, buy what you like so long as it fits comfortably right in your armpit.
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2019: Bucket Hats
2020: Baseball Caps
I don't know about you, but I am more than ready to put away the bucket hat for the unforeseeable future. Replacing the '90s grunge-inspired topper will be baseball hats. These hats have no frills and no fuss. Instead, they were used on the runway to juxtapose whatever was going on beneath the hat like a strappy bra situation or a sleek tailored coat.
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2019: Mini Bags
2020: Oversize Side-Slung Carryalls
Don't fret—mini bags are still socially acceptable because everything is cuter when it's tiny, but the spring 2020 collections showed us that the big bag trend is still on the rise. Side-slung massive carryalls, in particular, were spotted all throughout fashion month and are just the exciting take on the trend we were looking for.
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2019: Tiny Frames
2020: Granny Glasses
The decline of microscopic sunglasses has been inevitable for some time now, and while shoppers might be initially intimidated by larger frames as their replacement, the shift is happening. Brands like Gucci and Fendi made quite the case for those grandma-inspired sunglasses, and sooner or later, everyone's going to fall for them. You'll see.
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2019: Teva-Inspired Sandals
2020: Gladiator Sandals
You might not believe what you're about to read, but gladiator sandals have officially returned. Replacing the hyper-saturated trend that was sporty sandals, specifically the Teva-inspired ones, will be the more toned-down sandal fit to accompany any spring and summer ensemble of your choosing.
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Before you go, check out all the winter accessory trends we're shopping now.
Lauren Eggertsen is currently the editorial director of Who What Wear and has worked at the company for over nine years, where she started as an associate editor and has since worked her way up. Lauren has worked in the Los Angeles and New York Who What Wear offices but currently calls L.A. home. Here, she leads and manages Who What Wear's editorial team and oversees all editorial content. Lauren's role also includes helping to set the fashion direction for all original photo shoots and often styles many celebrity cover shoots, including big names like Kaia Gerber, Normani, and Sabrina Carpenter. She has also attended multiple fashion weeks, including New York, London, Milan, and Paris, where her style has been featured on sites such as Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, and Elle.
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