I’m just going to say it; “That was sooooo last year.”
Google Canada reveals its #YearinSearch and the results are in. How many of 2016’s top fashion trends did you Google?
10. Pleated Skirt
Pleats’ popularity is partly due to the fact that they’re really photogenic. They might not be desk-job-friendly (those wrinkles from sitting down do tend to spoil a pleat’s line) but when snapped moving they have a pleasing three-dimensional quality that an A-line mini or pencil skirt just can’t claim. My personal fave was the prep school pleat but we also saw tons of retro pleats, metallic pleats and micro pleats.
9. Gaucho Pants
You probably read that and said “whaaaat?” but once you saw the picture, you realized that this is probably the comfiest, yet chic, pair of pants you’ve seen. Gaucho pants are wide-legged trousers for women with a cuff that ends around mid calf. Taking their name from pants once worn by South American cowboys, they were in style for a brief period in the early to mid-1970’s and made a comeback last year – especially in stores like Nordstrom and Uniqlo.
8. Nike Huarache
These shoes are actually 23 years old and still trending (after a handful of remakes of course). The all-white and all-black shoes became a must-have, and the "Triple Black" Huarache became a real resell currency when it dropped at Foot Locker last year. Reissued recently in vast numbers, even with constant restocks, it's still being resold over the recommended retail price. For more info on it’s history check out this article from Complex.
7. Sneakers
I’m not surprised, really. I don’t claim to be a sneaker head in anyway, but there’s been a ton of celeb sneaker collabs that I’ve actually considered buying a pair. Sneakers are no longer just for athleticwear, and athletic people, but they can be a part of a fashioniable outfit – even for women. Check out HighSnobity for a list of their fave 2016 sneakers.
6. Braids
If you ever went on Instagram, even just once, you know that braids made a comeback. It might have started with controversial comeback with the Kardashian’s “boxer braids” but either way, beauty bloggers took it and ran with it.
5. Yeezy Boost
There’s a few reasons circling as to why Yeezy Boost's are so popular. One is because Kanye West is a marketing genius, another is because Kanye is popular so his boots are popular too. Or, maybe Canadians were constantly googling them because we were in shock that a pair of boots could retail for more than $1,000 US. I’m going to go with all of the above on this one.
4. Bomber Jackets
My sister spent AGES looking for the perfect bomber jacket from stores like Forever 21, H&M and Aritzia. No longer confined by its military roots, the bomber is now a true fashion essential, one found draped across the shoulders of nearly everyone who gives any thought to what they wear. If you're wondering who the celebrity most responsible for juicing this trend is, it's the Great and Powerful Ye. Kanye West (you don’t say?) tops the charts of celebrities most associated with the bomber, alongside David Beckham, the Kardashian sisters, Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid.
3. Ivy Park by Beyonce
You've seen the promo videos, dissected the collection in its entirety—even watched Beyoncé wipe out gracefully on her roller skates in a head-to-toe blue lewk. I mean, I feel like this point doesn’t even need an explanation. It’s an active clothing line by Queen B. That’s all we need to know.
2. Purpose Tour Merchandise
Ah, Justin Bieber. I personally don’t understand the “Staff” and “Security” shirts but hey, if that’s your style that you do you. There was a pop-up store here in Toronto for two days and everything sold out so Justin Bieber must be on to something here.
1. Distressed Denim
Denim on denim on denim. Everyone wore distressed denim this year weather it was pants, jackets, skirts, hats, purses… I feel like I can go on forever. You could dress distressed denim up for a night out on the town or dress it down for a casual movie date. Plus, it was a year long trend that everyone could pull off – weather male or female, big or small. 2016 was deifnelty the year of distressed jeans.
