Prepare Your Saved Folder—These 10 Instagram-Famous Buys Stopped Me Mid-Scroll

instagram cult buys
(Image credit: Who What Wear)

Longtime readers will know that we at Who What Wear UK have always prided ourselves on predicting the next big trends before they happen. Call us overzealous, but we want to arm you with the best possible info before you shop to make sure you get the most for your money. And, as our talents happen to extend to searching through the posts of thousands of fashionable people on Instagram, we're also pros at spotting the viral pieces that everyone from editors to influencers really love. Whether it's uncovering a high-street hidden gem or spotlighting the luxury investment piece that's truly worth buying, we consider it our job to share with you our edits of the best of the best to save you precious scrolling time. Sound good? Thought so.

As we're (almost) in the throes of spring, this month our radar has been focused on the seasonal heroes and outstanding accessories about to hit the big time, and a quick scroll through our saved posts has thrown up some seriously good burgeoning trends. Quite a few double-tap-worthy items are making a strong bid for inclusion in your wardrobe right now, from the statement flats that kickstarted an entire trend to the very best jackets of the season.

Keep reading for our picks of the best high-street, premium and luxury items that are cropping up on Instagram this month. There's plenty worth screenshotting.

1. Demellier Santorini Basket Bag

instagram cult buys

(Image credit: @fakerstrom)

Style Notes: All it took was this cute basket bag being spotted on the arms of some of Instagram's best dressed to send the internet into a frenzy, and before we knew it, DeMellier bags became a status symbol. These elegant styles strike the right balance between aspirational and affordable, and I lost count of how many times I've spotted the New York tote and Tokyo handbag during fashion month last season, so it makes sense that their seasonal basket would stir up a commotion too.

Shop the DeMellier Santorini:

2. H&M Wide Cotton Trousers

instagram cult buys

(Image credit: @maryljean)

Style Notes: So far this summer has been a bit of a "will-it-won't-it" in terms of sunny weather, but if you are lucky enough to be heading abroad, you're going to need a light layer that does it all, and I'm convinced that cotton trousers are the answer. H&M's candy pinstripe pants would look good with an oversized shirt, baby tee, over a swimsuit or with an equally cute cami a la Mary Jean [pictured above], and at under £40, you can't argue with their cost-per-wear

Shop the H&M Cotton Trousers:

3. Hunza G Jean Bikini

instagram cult buys

(Image credit: @_livmadeline)

Style Notes: Hunza G swimsuits might not be new, but as the variety of cuts, colours and prints expands, the even more popular the brand becomes. Every influencer and editor I know has Hunza swim in the their wardrobe, and this year the striped Jean and Bonnie bikinis are proving to be the breakout favourite. Comfy, stretchy, and incredibly Instagrammable; consider this your sign to shelve that plain black bikini and try this playful set.

Shop Hunza G:

4. Uniqlo Seersucker Gingham Shorts

instagram cult buys

(Image credit: @kimturkington_)

Style Notes: We love any viral buy that also happens to be affordable, and Uniqlo's gingham shorts are a high-street wonder. Cute, comfy and the kind of summer outfit staple you can throw on in five minutes, these are still relatively under-the-radar (and in stock), so let's just keep this secret between us for now.

Shop Uniqlo Seersucker Shorts:

5. Citizens of Humanity Ayla Jeans

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(Image credit: @monikh)

Style Notes: It's been a good couple of years for Citizens of Humanity jeans. We've spotted the loose-legged (often turned up) Ayla style in some of the most stylish casual outfits, and unsurprisingly, the pair has now been copied by many high-street brands. Although imitation is supposed to be the highest form of flattery, you can't beat the OG pair for comfort and quality.

Shop Citizens of Humanity Ayla Jeans:

6. Ganni Peplum Tie Blouse

instagram-cult-buys

(Image credit: @izzydilg)

Style Notes: Ganni has long topped our list of the best brands to channel Scandi styling, and its pretty, playful, and modern aesthetic appeals to influencers and editors who celebrate the joy in dressing up. The eternal favourite? The poplin peplum tie-front blouse has proved a smash hit this year, and the year before, and there's no doubt it'll be doing the rounds throughout the rest of this summer and autumn too. The perfect blouse to throw on with jeans or mini skirts.

Shop the Ganni Peplum Tie Blouse:

7. COS Raffia Sling Bag

instagram cult buys

(Image credit: @deborabrosa)

Style Notes: If ever there was a high-street smash hit that will go down in history, it would have to be COS' Swing Crossbody bag. You might not know it by name, but you will have seen it all over feeds and on every influencer in the last 2 years, so good news then that COS is continuing it's run of impressive bags with this oversized yet elegant raffia sling. Ask anyone, and they'll be convinced that this roomy bag is designer, so if you're looking for a practical investment that's really worth every penny, this is a good place to start.

Shop The COS Raffia Sling Bag:

8. Amazon The Drop Naomi Strappy Buckle Heeled Sandal

instagram cult buys

(Image credit: @nlmarilyn)

Style Notes: Need a minimalist, strappy sandal and fast? Amazon's The Drop specialises in making runway-trends affordable, and this buckle sandal is one of the many hidden gems you can pick up from the site and order next-day with Prime delivery. Not bad for £30.

Shop The Drop Naomi Sandal:

9. HUSH Raye Linen Straight Leg Trousers

instagram cult buys

(Image credit: @emmarosethatcher)

Style Notes: Everyone should own at least one great pair of white linen trousers to go with every outfit in summer. Emma Rose Thatcher [pictured above] put this HUSH pair on my radar, and now I can't stop thinking about their perfect fit. They're currently in the sale at an even better price, and come in regular and petite sizes, so you can guarantee the perfect cut for a steal.

Shop HUSH Raye Linen Straight Leg Trousers:

SHOP MORE OF OUR FAVOURITE BUYS FROM LAST MONTH:

Dissh Ada Long Sleeve Midi Dress

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(Image credit: @iamnkirote)

Style Notes: If there's one brand you can always rely on when it comes to Instagrammable dresses, it's Dissh. Creating cult buy after cult buy, the Aussie brand's ribbed-knit maxi dress has to be one of the most popular pieces on Instagram. There are four colourways and a V-neck version, but it's the Ada in Classic Stone that we're championing this season (and every season to come).

Shop Dissh's Ada Long Sleeve Midi Dress:

Mango Mesh Ballerinas

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(Image credit: @francescasaffari)

Style Notes: If you bought mesh ballet flats last summer, don't pack them away just yet. The staple item of 2023 is sticking around for 2024 too, and if you haven't managed to bag them yet, this pair from Mango is being touted as one of the best designer dupes on the high street.

Shop Mango's Mesh Ballerinas:

Almada Label Double-Breasted Drew Coat

instagram shopping

(Image credit: @anoukvye)

Style Notes: It's time to call off the search—the perfect camel coat really does exist, and you can get it in black too. Almada Label's double-breasted Drew coat is a boxy, perfectly cut, mohair coat ideal for slinging over your shoulders at the weekend or buttoning up over workwear during the week. Smart, sleek and sophisticated—what's not to love? There's a reason it's running low in stock.

Shop the Almada Label Drew Coat:

COS Wide Leg Tailored Trousers

instagram cult buys

(Image credit: @taffymsipa)

Style Notes: You simply can't go wrong with a good pair of wide-leg trousers, and it would seem Instagram agrees, as this COS pair has made its way into the wardrobes of some of our favourite influencers. Take this as proof that cult buys don't have to be four-figure bags and flash-in-the-pan trends.

Shop COS' Wide Leg Tailored Trousers:

Adidas Gazelle Trainers

instagram cult buys

(Image credit: @claudiaberresford)

Style Notes: In case you missed it, trainers are back and bigger than ever, but none more so than Adidas' range of colour-pop brights. 2023 might have been all about the Samba, and celebs are currently shopping the SL72, but on Insta, the Gazelle reigns supreme, particularly in Crayola shades of red, pink, green and blue.

Shop Adidas Gazelles:

Rise and Fall Bandana

instagram cult buys

(Image credit: @annacascarina)

Style Notes: If you kept your eyes peeled during London Fashion Week, you'll have noticed that one breakout microtrend was the knit bandana. Draped around shoulders and tied in a knot, this lighter take on the scarf is the new way to accessorise for this chilly in-between weather, and Rise & Fall's cashmere version is an influencer favourite for its supreme softness and variety of colour options.

Shop the Rise and Fall Bandana:

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Remy Farrell
Fashion Editor

Remy Farrell is a London-based shopping editor with nearly 10 years of editorial experience covering fashion, beauty and lifestyle. After graduating with a journalism degree and working on the editorial and fashion teams for titles such as Grazia, Elle, Cosmopolitan and British Vogue, she moved into the luxury e-commerce sector, working as fashion assistant at TheOutnet.com styling for the social media channels and helping to develop the collections for the in-house brand Iris & Ink. After expanding an assisting and styling portfolio that includes shooting talent such as Gigi Hadid, Victoria Beckham and Miquita Oliver, she also branched out into beauty, creating tried-and-tested reviews and diverse beauty content.In her role as shopping editor at Who What Wear, Remy is interested in discovering new and exciting brands to share with the Who What Wear readership and particularly loves uncovering hidden gems at affordable prices to make shopping accessible to everyone.Born and raised in Sheffield, Yorkshire, Remy moved to London in 2014 and lives in the Docklands with her partner and pug Billie.