6 Items That Went So Viral They Already Sold Out—30 Alts I'm Shopping Instead

These days, it can feel like the viral cycle moves on a 24-hour basis, with new It items rising to peak popularity so fast, it's close to impossible to ever even get your hands on them before the masses do, leading to a complete sell out. Even when an item has a high price tag that, for most people, would call for months of budgeting, somehow, every retailer will sell out of it in days—sometimes even hours—and either take months to restock it or never bring it back at all. In such cases, if you want to get in on the trend, you have to get creative. 

My solution, at least when I've tried and failed to find the exact item in my size on the secondhand market, is to dig through the internet for worthwhile alternatives that will allow me to check the trend off my list without the real thing. Yes, it takes work, especially if you want to find a proper substitute. Nonetheless, I'm almost always able to stumble upon a resolution. 

This week, following my own search for alternatives to the spring items I want but can't have (probably because they went viral somewhere on the internet), I decided it was only right to share my findings. Ahead, discover six sold-out (or almost sold-out) items and the many alternatives I believe are just as worth spending money on. Don't take too long to shop for them, though, as history proves that they, like their predecessors, won't last long. 

Sold Out: H&M Leather Biker Jacket

Alt: Topshop Oversize Biker Jacket

If I didn't know better, I'd have believed in a second that this H&M distressed-leather moto jacket was manufactured by a high-end designer and priced in the thousands, especially given how many influencers have been spotted in the oversize outerwear. Fortunately, that wasn't the case, making its subsequent sell out all the more inevitable. There's no need to fret though. Thanks to the popularity of Prada's spring/summer 2022 collection and its many leather jackets, similar supersized styles are all over the place, with my current favorite alternative being Topshop's oversize faux-leather biker jacket, which retails for $111. 

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Sold Out: Tory Burch Studded Ballet

Alt: Reformation Bethany Ballet Flat

I haven't seen so many Who What Wear editors this excited about a product since Prada released its Supernova bag, a style two of us now own. And all the hype is around Tory Burch's now nearly sold out studded ballet flats. My current count recorded two people who already own a pair and two who are on a sartorial goose chase to find options in their sizes (one of them is me). Unfortunately, after weeks of trying, I've almost lost all hope of getting a pair of my own, which is why I've begun looking for similarly studded options, starting with Reformation's Bethany flats. 

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Sold Out: Tibi Sid Jeans

Alt: Levi's XL Balloon Jeans

I first saw these jeans at Tibi's offices during New York Fashion Week, though, by then, they'd already garnered a massive fan club. At the time, both the regular and petite versions were completely sold out, spurring me to run home afterward and put my name on the waitlist for a pair of my own. Shapely and unbelievably cool, I had to have them. Luckily, a few weeks later, I got an alert in my inbox that they had been restocked in a handful of sizes and I snagged a pair before they once again sold out, a status they've been at for almost a month now. If you're not prepared to wait for another restock, I've got you covered. Or rather, Levi's does (typical). The original denim brand has a new pair of XL balloon jeans that will give you that same ultra-sleek and unique look with a far more affordable price tag. You're welcome. 

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Sold Out: Bottega Veneta Drop Earrings

Alt: Gallery Los Angeles Gracie Drop Earrings

Unless you're not on TikTok or Instagram then you've absolutely seen the craze that is the hunt for Bottega Veneta's drop earrings and similar, more affordable alternatives. The actual earrings are currently sold out in most sizes and colors—in addition to gold and silver, they also come in brown, green, etc.—but in the time since they blew up following sightings on Lori Harvey, Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and more, plenty of available options have hopped on board the oversize teardrop earring shape, with the best one being Galley Los Angeles's Gracie style from Anthropologie. 

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Sold Out: Loewe Striped Polo Sweater

Alt: J.Crew Rugby Shirt

When both Hailey Bieber and Rihanna wear one item in the same week, it's going to go viral and sell out, even if it is a $990 rugby shirt from Loewe. Such is what happened a few weeks back when they both wore this blue-and-red polo-neck rugby shirt with slouchy jeans. Thankfully, J.Crew's men's department has a handful of worthy alternatives to choose from, many of which are currently on sale. Personally, I'm getting behind this asymmetric, striped style that's $98 because of course I am—it's perfect. 

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Sold Out: Miu Miu Biker Boots

Alt: Steve Madden Distressed Boots

Every time I spot a pair of Miu Miu's fall/winter 2022 buckled moto boots on my Instagram feed, a pain deep in my gut sets in that can only be healed by either purchasing a pair of the unbelievably cool $2450 boots or something similar—and that's a fact. Currently, the first option is on the trickier side since my size is nowhere to be found online. That being said, a $250 pair from Steve Madden is available in my size, not to mention every other size available. You know what to do. 

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Next: These 30 Items Are Already Defining 2023—Take Note