It's Official: These Were The 10 Most-Wanted Fashion Items of the Summer
Looking back at the summer now, from the brisk, quickly shortening days of fall, it can sometimes feel like a blur of nothing more than a few long weekends strung together. How many hours did we spend taking in the sun? How many bottles of rosé did we bury? What was that bag I couldn't stop thinking about? Where can I find those sneakers I saw that influencer wearing? Some of these questions, we'll never have answers for. Others, well, we can set those straight right now. Thanks to the just-released Lyst Index, we have hard data on the 10 hottest products from the last three months.
If you haven't heard of the Lyst Index, it's a worthwhile project to put on your radar. Lyst, a shopping search engine and database, compiles a report of the top ten most highly sought after brands, women's products, and men's products each quarter, and then releases those findings to the public. It's fascinating, really, to have access to the data, which takes into account search volume and sales, as well as social media mentions and engagements, to paint an accurate picture of what items people are excited about at a given time.
We're not just obsessed with this roundup because we're total data nerds, we're also looking to it for major fall shopping inspiration. So many of the products featured below are going to continue being hugely popular throughout the end of the year, and beyond. Keep reading below to see the top 10 most wanted items of the summer.
1. Dior Saddle Bag
If you've logged into Instagram at all this summer, the top product on this ranking comes as no surprise. A combined influencer effort launched on July 19th and propelled this Dior throwback bag into the sights of shoppers everywhere. In Lyst's thorough breakdown of the trend, it cites Beyonce, as well as beloved characters Carrie Bradshaw of Sex and the City, and Marissa Cooper of The OC, as champions of the original 1999 version of the bag. This year, we know it best as seen on Chiara Ferragni, Miranda Kerr, and Eva Chen. To buy one new, you'll have to travel to a Dior boutique, but we've found a handful of Saddles in great second-hand condition that you can get online now, plus save a little cash on.
To buy: $3,367; farfetch.com, $1,350; shopbop.com, $241–$5,672; vestiairecollective.com
2. Off-White Logo Belt
Aside from being behind the second most coveted women's item of the season (a move up four spots since Q2 for the product), Off-White was ranked number one on Lyst Index's list of hottest brands. This visually arresting, construction tape-inspired belt is another Instagram favorite that we've seen styled in the most imaginative ways possible — from cinching blazers at the waist and strung through trouser loops, to wrapped around feminine dresses and skirts. Also an influencer fave, this unmissable yellow accessory has been seen on Bella Hadid and Kylie Jenner, to name a few.
To buy: $225; farfetch.com
3. Birkenstock Madrid Sandal
The Ugly Sneaker Trend has its hooks so deep in fashion that we're beginning to wonder if we need to recalibrate our idea of what constitutes 'ugly,' and if 'trend' is even the right word. Regardless, Birkenstock's latest ugly-cute style to have caught our interest is this dainty slide known as the Madrid. Its celebrity fan list includes comfort-first types — like Gwyneth Paltrow and Jenna Dewan Tatum, which doesn't surprise us, as we know just how comfortable this style is (hint: very.)
To buy: $70–$161; amazon.com
4. Jonathan Simkhai Lace Up Jeans
It's interesting to us that denim would crack this list, based on so many varying preferences for fit, wash, and fabric composition, but this product that ranks fourth-most-wanted actually represents a whole collection of lace-up jeans by the 2015 CFDA fund winner, Jonathan Simkhai. And, honestly, we love every version. Try a wide-leg style, or take a cue from Gigi Hadid and opt for the black skinnies. And if you need a little extra encouragement: a ton of these are on major sale right now.
To buy: $198 (Originally $495); saksoff5th.com, $322 (Originally $644); farfetch.com, $395; bergdorfgoodman.com, $390 (Originally $695); forward.com, $212 (Originally $529); adrianaonline.com, $290 (Originally $724); farfetch.com
5. Nike M2K Tekno Sneakers
Providing further proof the early aughts are back, these sneakers, a re-release of their '00 ancestor, come in as the world's number five most sought after fashion item. Like last quarter's number two spot holder, the FILA Disruptor II, this chunky/ugly/dad sneaker is an affordable way into the trend, and it was spotted all over fashion weeks across the globe.
To buy: $100; nordstrom.com
6. Off-White Denim Jacket
Given Off-White's status as number one hottest brand this quarter, we were certainly expecting to see another of designer Virgil Abloh's creations grace this list. Its hyper versatile denim jackets are hugely popular with both the mainstream and fashion-forward crowds, and come in a wide enough variety to provide the perfect piece for anyone in the market.
To buy: $780; net-a-porter.com, $1,085; matchesfashion.com, $945; farfetch.com
7. Staud Shirley Bag
Indie cool-girl brand, Staud, has officially entered the mainstream with its widely hyped clear bag collection, which was the unofficial carryall of the season. The croc pattern on the handle frame as well as the inside pouch sets this piece above and beyond its transparent contemporaries.
To buy: $210; matchesfashion.com
8. Gucci Flashtrek Sneakers
This is what it looks like when the ugly sneaker trend goes full glam. Never one to play coy, Gucci stomped this shoe straight off the runways and into summer in a dazzling, bejeweled style, as well as a comparably toned-down (though hardly tame) version. The maximalist footwear has a broad array of inspiration, incorporating elements from SEGA to 'gorpcore' — shorthand for trail mix-crunching, outdoorsy hiker style.
To buy: $980; mytheresa.com, $1,590; net-a-porter.com
9. Ganni Dainty Georgette Wrap Skirt
The genius brand behind the season's best femme flowy dresses and separates is poised to dethrone Reformation, and this top-ranking skirt is proof. Its swishy, form-flattering cut make it a joy to move around in, and with all the fun prints it comes in, you can't help but show off.
To buy: $193; farfetch.com, $209; farfetch.com
10. Saint Laurent LouLou Sunglasses
Who knew $400+ Lolita frames could make it to a most-wanted list? Accessories designer, Anthony Vaccarello, apparently, knew when he created these for fashion mega house, Saint Laurent. Despite that we've seen this style walk a few different runways for the season, this pair's sharp, cat eye-like edges caught our attention and have held onto it firmly ever since.
To buy: $420; nordstrom.com
