By Vittoria Socolof ‘22, Arts & Entertainment Writer

In 2019, social media significantly impacted important aspects of our world, from climate change protests to the fashion industry. Celebrities and “social media influencers” started trends in clothing and accessories by posting streetwear and event photos on social media apps. In an interview with the New York Times, Mia Grantham, a 16-year-old British high school student, stated she draws fashion inspiration when she “see[s] something on an Instagram influencer I like.” Apps like Instagram and Snapchat make trend-scouting easy and accessible, and their user base extends beyond teens. Designers and stores also use social media to assemble trend reports to decide what items to stock. At a Gap-owned store called Intermix, Gia Gezzi, a fashion director, and Denise Magid, chief merchant of the creative team, both work to predict trends. They describe identifying trends for the next season as “something of an art.” Gap relies on its creative team to boost sales by predicting trends and stocking Intermix with in-season clothing. As the new year arrives, some of the fashion trends of 2019 are still going strong in 2020. 

Bike shorts, inspired by the aerobic-obsessed ‘80s culture, made a comeback in 2019. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian West and Bella Hadid turned bike shorts into a popular streetwear item, pairing them with blazers and high heels. Gigi Hadid refined the trend with a touch of elegance; she stepped onto the streets of New York sporting bike shorts with black satin boots and a leather shoulder bag. Designers added bike shorts to their runway shows, bringing athleisure back into modern street style. According to Forbes, the booming athleisure trend turned “casual sportswear” into a $44 billion pastime. 

Another popular trend of 2019 was animal print. Kendall Jenner, a popular model, launched the trend by wearing a summery square-neck dress in leopard-print. Designers like Versace created clothing lines that included asymmetrical zebra print and bovine printed dresses. Other designers, like Tom Ford, also added animal print pieces in their runway shows, including cow patches. Vogue magazine highlights the many ways animal print is used to style boots, jackets, and even pants. Leopard print, like bike shorts, carries an ‘80s vibe that designers retrofitted for this year’s fashion. 

Lastly, shrunken bags became a popular accessory this year. Shrunken bags are not the most practical piece of fashion, but according to The Guardian, they are a “signifier of status.” They show others that someone else is doing the heavy lifting. Louis Vuitton launched its own nano bag in two colors, describing it as an “elegant homage to 1920s makeup boxes.” Shrunken bags are perfect for a consumer who values style over function. Shrunken bags are light, easy to carry, and they are perfect if you are tired of sore shoulders. 

Looking at the trends of 2019, one can predict those that will make headway in 2020. The Trend Spotter states that “athleisure is the trend that keeps giving,” and other ‘80s inspired clothing, like animal print, will continue to grow. As for shrunken bags, they will continue to appeal to adult consumers who are interested in style, but most teens will continue to use more practical accessories. Although trends will change in the new year, fashion is cyclical and designers always find a way to take older clothes off the shelf and bring them back into style. It is important to keep a few outdated outfits in the closet because you never know when trends will pop up again in the media.