If there's one thing we love reporting on a tad more than others (at least, if you ask me), it's trends. We gather our evidence everywhere from the runways to Instagram before deeming a sartorial repetition of any kind of "trend," so when we really hit the nail on the head with our predictions, we feel pretty good about ourselves. Since we can't take any credit for setting said trends, we thought it would be fun to quench our curiosity by looking back at some of the popular movements we broke to you early that are still relevant today. Actually, they are more than just relevant—they're kind of a really big deal.
It's been a while since we've taken the time to reflect on all the new trends that have bubbled over the past year. In fact, it was almost a year ago exactly that I had the idea to comb through our breaking trend content to analyze which stuck around, which flopped, and which blew up. Well, after a year hiatus, I am proud to present 10 new trends we called early that now pretty much everyone is wearing.
So often we get used to seeing the same items worn on repeat by all our favorite fashion girls and end up forgetting that at one point in time, said item was the most trend-forward thing in our wardrobes. So no, none of the trends listed ahead will be news to you, and that's the point. By now, all 10 trends listed below should feel familiar and although I'm biased, I'd like to think that's largely in part to our reporting and influence. Ahead, read through the trends we predicted quite early including the day we called it, the story that broke the news, and our favorite images and products within the trend so far.
Clogs
The trend was called: 17 months ago
The prediction: "Brace yourself because the shoe trend that is 'officially back' is one either you used to love or you used to hate. The trend we want to draw all of our attention to right now is clogs. It's been quite some time since the chunky wooden shoes have had a moment in the spotlight, but after careful observation, it's been made clear that the shoe style is undoubtedly cool again."—Lauren Eggertsen, senior fashion editor, "The 'Ugly' Shoes You Used to Make Fun of Are Officially Back"
The proof it lasted:
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Tummy Ties
The trend was called: 11 months ago (This story was originally published in March 2020 and has since been updated.)
The prediction: "The trend we speak of is better seen than described, but if we had to try it's basically any article of clothing that slinkily ties and wraps around a bare midriff. These wraparound ties can be connected to a top, skirt, or even swimwear, which we're anticipating seeing a lot more of come summer 2020. As we encroach on warmer weather, we're predicting that this micro-trend is about to make it big once again in this decade. Influencers have already started wearing it and retailers are already hopping on board. If you ask me, this is the beginning of a major trend in the making."—Lauren Eggertsen, senior fashion editor, "Ready or Not: This Revealing Trend Is About to Freak Out the Fashion World"
The proof it lasted:
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Baggy Jeans
The trend was called: 11 months ago
The prediction: "If they say three's a trend, then we're officially calling it: The next (and most polarizing) iteration of non–skinny jeans has arrived. The first time we took note of the denim style was when we saw J.Lo sporting a pair of sparkly low-rise baggy jeans after her epic Super Bowl halftime performance. Then, we noticed Bella Hadid sporting a similarly roomy and low-slung pair at Paris Fashion Week, and now, Hailey Bieber marks the latest celeb to join the ever-growing fan club of the new jean trend."—Anna LaPlaca, associate editor, "Hailey Bieber Just Joined the Low-Rise Baggy-Jean Fan Club"
The proof it lasted:
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Unitards
The trend was called: 11 months ago (This story was originally published in March 2020 and has since been updated.)
The prediction: "Yoga unitards, activewear bodysuits, leotards—whatever you want to call them—they're here and they're happening. These one-pieces are like your favorite pair of leggings but taken to the next level for one head-to-toe spandex outfit that I can only really describe as wild."—Anna LaPlaca, associate editor, "The Anti-Legging Trend I Can Only Really Describe as 'Wild'"
The proof it lasted:
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Low-Rise Pants
The trend was called: 11 months ago
The prediction: "If you wore jeans in the early-to-mid 2000s, there's a very good chance that they were low-rise. But as the years went by, the rises went up (and up, and up). It's now 2020, and one of Levi's most popular styles is its Ribcage Jeans. Despite this, there seems to be a desire to let belly buttons get some air, because I've encountered more and more celebs wearing low-rise jeans as of late, and I think this is just the beginning. Unlike the last time, low-rise jeans were popular and it wasn't uncommon to see celebs wearing very tight, very low jeans with tiny crop tops, most of the low-rise jean outfits I've been seeing are infinitely more wearable."—Allyson Payer, senior editor, "Low-Rise Jeans and Pants Are Happening—Here's How to Pull Them Off"
The proof it lasted:
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Flared Leggings
The trend was called: 9 months ago
The prediction: "I am here today to tell you that jazz pants are in fact back, and there really couldn't be a better time for a comfortable pant trend to start bubbling. Made of stretchy fabrics and soft waistbands, jazz pants are here to take away any insecurity you may have had about wearing leggings as 'real' pants because this new style is basically leggings leveled up. We first started seeing leggings take on new forms with the rise of the split hem, and it is clear that jazz pants are the living proof that leggings are evolving and transforming right before our eyes."—Lauren Eggertsen, senior fashion editor, "This Trend Is Starting to Bubble, But It's Destined to Replace Skinny Leggings"
The proof it lasted:
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Chunky Loafers
The trend was called: 5 months ago
The prediction: "I've always been a big fan of loafers. The Gucci Jordaan loafers have been perhaps the most worn shoes in my closet for the past several years, but I'm ready for a fresh update on the classic style. My wishes have been granted, thanks in large part to Prada and its chunky loafer It shoes, and the grunge trend that's such a thing this fall. I'm happy to have snagged a pair and basically just want summer to end so that I can wear them on my rare outings without sweating my feet off. Prada's loafers (which you'll see below) have been all over my Instagram feed and have been selling out left and right, but many other brands have followed suit and gotten in on the trend themselves, which I fully support."—Allyson Payer, senior editor, "The Flat Shoe Trend I'm Buying Instead of Heels This Season"
The proof it lasted:
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Knit Vests
The trend was called: 5 months ago
The prediction: "Yes, friends, the day has come where sweater-vests are no longer a Steve Urkel specialty—they're a fashion-forward fall trend. The F/W 20 runways have my back on this, too, seeing as Prada, Gucci, Dior, and Marc Jacobs all presented the nerdy-chic knit in their collections. Not only that, but Instagram is already drenched with styling ideas that make the intimidating trend actually so wearable, like layered over a button-down shirt or worn as its own top with jeans."—Anna LaPlaca, associate editor, "And Now, the 'Grandpa' Trend That's Taking Over This Fall"
The proof it lasted:
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Knit Boleros
The trend was called: 4 months ago
The prediction: "After several months of keeping an eye on this piece, I can confidently say that it's definitely one you should know about. The item in question? Boleros. More specifically, bolero sweaters. After witnessing how one of these sweaters, in particular, became an Instagram It piece in its own right, I figured that it would only be a matter of time until more versions bubbled up and sure enough, now these sweater sleeves are all over my favorite retailers from Zara to Net-a-Porter."—Anna LaPlaca, associate editor, "This Barely There Sweater Trend Has Officially Moved Me to My Core"
The proof it lasted:
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G-Strings
The trend was called: 3 months ago
The prediction: "As if 2020 wasn't freaky enough, we're here to report on one more freaky thing that is guaranteed to show up in 2021. The trend we speak of is G-strings—built-in ones to be exact. Back in the early 2000s, we saw icons like Paris Hilton put their stringy undergarments fully on display for the world to see, but the exposed underwear look has yet to come back in style until just recently. Much to our surprise, we saw designers like Givenchy, LaQuan Smith, and Versace send out everything from dresses to pants donning tiny built-in G-strings (or something that at least gives off that effect) all over the S/S 21 runways.
Considering the fact that this trend isn't scheduled to blow up until next year, the current assortment of products we were already able to locate is a good sign that the future of the G-string movement is very promising. This trend is revealing, exciting, and sexy—three things we are now looking forward to in 2021."—Lauren Eggertsen, senior fashion editor, "Built-In G-Strings Are About to Be the Freakiest Trend of 2021"
The proof it lasted:
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