The Most Googled Fashion Trends of 2019 Are Bizarre—And Yet Make So Much Sense

At first glance, the top ten fashion style searches of 2019 seem like a complete hodgepodge. There are some oldies in there: the eternally goggle-wearing acolytes of “steampunk,” for example, or the “Harajuku” look that defined Western perceptions of Japanese style in the early-’00s. But in the mix were newer and more meme-able terms, too—from “VSCO girls” to “e-Boys,” it’s clear that many of the most trending styles are derived from TikTok’s social media takeover. And yet, this concoction of searches is not completely random. One unexpected up-and-comer was “vintage style”—a result of the industry’s shift towards shopping more sustainability? Could be!

Another overwhelmingly popular search was “yankii”—loosely translated from Japanese as “juvenile delinquent”—that originated in the country after WWII, as a result of the influx of American culture; broaching, but not limited to, the aesthetics of shunned groups like ride-or-die motorcycle gangs. The term lay dormant for several years until this past November, when searches received a mercurial rise. Why, you ask? My theory is the release of Queer Eye’s Japan miniseries that aired on Netflix that same month. Traveling around Tokyo with their host Kiko Mizuhara, the Fab Five met up with Kae, who mentioned that “yankii” style was a key component of her look. Was it the millions of people who tuned into the show that were responsible for the upsurge in “yankii” searches? Given the show’s rabid fandom, the hypothesis is not unfounded.

There was also, of course, the viral term “VSCO girl,” which only emerged this year. The phrase even has its own Wikipedia page, describing it as a popular Gen Z subculture that groups together teenage girls who follow certain fashion choices, described simply as “laid-back.” The VSCO girl’s look is certainly laid-back—let’s be real, it’s a gentle step up from “basic” style, with the addition of something a little more chilled-out and sun-soaked. VSCO girls can be found dressed in a large graphic T-shirt and cut-off shorts, accessorizing with a Venti Starbucks cup containing a bright mystery liquid. Although, whatever you think of the trend, there are currently 72,200,000 Google results for the term.

Another trend to know: the “e-Boy” (and their female counterpart “e-Girl”), who is, again, indebted to the rise of TikTok. The look is a distant cousin of emo, with fans typically wearing a choker, a band T-shirt, skinny jeans, and a permanently sad demeanor. (Another fun fact: Emo was the 10th most searched style this year—is a comeback on the cards?) So far, the “e-Boy” style has a modest 3.8 million search results, but the boom is so great that it’s already begun trickling down into mainstream fashion—just this past week, TikTok star Noen Eubanks starred in Hedi Slimane’s newest Celine campaign, bared midriff and all.

And finally, the number one result was “camp” style. This can, of course, be credited to the theme of the 2019 Met Gala, but probably even more so the question circulating around it: “What is camp fashion?” Admit it: when you first read the term, you had to search what it meant, too.

Here, find the best ways to sprinkle a little of the most-searched magic from 2019 fashion trends into your 2020 wardrobe.

Kim Kardashian West and Lala Anthony Perfect the Glamorous Friend Date

Call it the most glamorous friend date. Last night, after leaving her husband Kanye West’s concert in Los Angeles, Kim Kardashian West stepped out with Lala Anthony in a pair of paparazzi-stopping looks. West donned a black body-con dress with chocolate brown cuissardes boots. For additional oomph, she threw on a shearling leather coat, the same one that she wore in New York City a few weeks back. (Yes, Kardashian West is also an outfit-repeater, just like you and me!) As for Lala? She took a cue from the Latex-loving Kardashian West and wore a full Latex peach-hued body suit. To break up the body-skimming silhouette, Anthony added a generously proportioned MM6 Maison Margiela lavender and white coat.

Yet Kardashian West and Anthony were not the only sources of fashion power in this scene. There was also a rogue, creamsicle-colored crocodile Hermès Birkin bag held by a large bodyguard — or personal bag carrier? (Was it too heavy for the women? Was there a bowling ball in there? A child?)

It’s not the first time that one of the members of the Kardashian-Jenner entourage has been seen with a sticker shock-inducing bag. Just last week, Kendall Jenner was seen lugging a toddler-size Birkin. But leave it to Kardashian West to find a way to outsource her arm candy.

Jennifer Aniston Has a Brand New Show, But Her Dress Is Pure Vintage

No one understands the allure of a deep dark gown like Jennifer Aniston. As Hollywood’s reigning queen of the LBD, Aniston keeps her red carpet style minimal and monochrome. Though she’s been spotted in chic new pieces from Bottega Veneta, Alexander McQueen during this latest press tour, Aniston outdid herself for last night’s premiere of her Apple TV+ series, The Morning Show. Dressed in a vintage gown from James Galanos, Aniston gave the crowd at Lincoln Center a taste of old-school glamour with the classic piece that she bought at the Beverly Hills boutique, LILY et cie.

An icon of 20th century design who outfitted everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Nancy Reagan, Galanos helped to define American fashion with his ready-to-wear collections and onscreen costumes. Known for clean lines and a commitment to refinement, his work meshes well with Aniston’s less-is-more philosophy. With its halter neck and navy color, the gown was striking yet understated—completely in line with the looks Aniston and her stylists, Nina and Clare Hallworth, have chosen of late. A blast from the past that seemed completely modern, the dress was a welcome reminder that the most impactful outfits are the ones that come with history.

Kate Middleton Steps Out in the Ideal Comfortable Pump

This morning, Kate Middleton and Prince William stepped out together in Birkenhead, U.K., where the royal couple were attending a naming ceremony for a new polar research ship, titled the RRS Sir David Attenborough. For the occasion, the Duchess of Cambridge took a page out of Kristen Stewart’s recycle-and-re-wear approach to dressing by busting out an old wardrobe favorite: she wore a light blue Alexander McQueen coat-dress that she’s sported before on multiple occasions. But while Middleton’s choice of outerwear fell in line with her always-polished aesthetic, it was her choice of footwear that was truly noteworthy: look closer, and you’ll see she slipped on the most ideal pair of comfortable pumps.

Opting for a pointy-toe pump in navy suede, Middleton’s shoe of choice today was by Emmy London. She wore the label’s Josie pump, which retails for $455 and features a thick 3-inch block heel—a sturdy heel height that provides longer wear time than a pin-thin stiletto, but still adds plenty of elevation. Consider it the perfect work shoe for fall, and it’s a style you could even commute in (because we’ve all done the shoe swap once at the office). To finish off her look, Middleton then accessorized with a black Asprey clutch and tasteful jewelry. Discreet but chic: it’s a Kate signature, after all.

Sophie Turner Does a City Girl’s Take on Overalls

Denim overalls are one of those pieces that can go wrong real quick if styled incorrectly. Worn oversized and with a grubby tee? You could look like you're ready to corral cows on the farm, and possibly feature on a throwback episode of The Simple Life. But a more body-skimming style worn with a dressed-up top? Suddenly, the jean onesie becomes more chic than country. Today, Sophie Turner recognized the latter approach: hitting the streets in New York City with husband Joe Jonas, and offering a city girl’s take on the tricky item.

The key to Turner’s successful overall styling? She kept to a medium-to-dark denim wash, hers by Mango, and a snug fit, and then paired it with a crisp white cotton top, which matched her chunky sneakers. Meanwhile, accessories like a pearl-embellished headband and sleek sunglasses helped elevate the look. And as for her man? Jonas leaned into the dressed-up casual look as well, with a Harley Davidson T-shirt, skinny blue jeans, and white Converse sneakers. These two newlyweds are always on the same fashion page.

Dua Lipa Wears the Original Inclusive Streetwear Line

Long before Virgil Abloh brought his streetwear savvy to Louis Vuitton’s menswear operations and decades before Hood By Air offered up a gothic sheen on the fashion signifiers that ruled the Brooklyn streets of Shayne Oliver’s adolescent years, Cross Colours shifted the entire fashion paradigm in this urban direction. As the brand’s founder Carl Jones described in a 2014 interview, the underlying goal was to connect with people. “The positive messages, the colors, coming from the street, coming from the ghetto. It’s clothing without prejudice,” Jones said, reiterating the brand’s motto. “It’s clothing for everybody.”

This universal message quickly gained traction with famous celebrities of the era, including Tupac, Will Smith on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air ( Smith was the first major celebrity to wear Cross Colours pieces), and TLC with their oversize Cross Colours pants that they infamously decorated with condoms.

The brand’s inclusive, positive vibe is clearly resonating with artists of today, too. Dua Lipa just sported a Cross Colours denim bucket hat, accented by pops of bright yellow and red in London (the singer wrote she only got two hours of sleep the night before in her Instagram caption). She wore the accessory with an off-kilter sweatshirt and a pair of high-waisted jeans. Cross Colours is due for a comeback given streetwear’s ascendancy, and Lipa is one of the first from today’s celebrity generation to take up the charge.

Lady Gaga’s Latest Look Is a Powerful Win for Georgian Designers

Lady Gaga knows how to make quite the dramatic exit. Yesterday, as she left her hotel in New York City, the singer served a regular dose of her hip-popping attitude, this time with a little help from the Georgian designer Akà Prodiàshvili. Gaga was dressed in a full leather look that consisted of a tiny sheeny bandeau top for a full midriff reveal and a high-waisted, body-clinging skirt with a fist-size metal buckle smack dab at the navel. For some of that sassy Gaga take on old Hollywood glam, she wore the ensemble with matching opera gloves that recalled dominatrix garb, hulking lace-up platform boots for another slice of BDSM-core, and a pair of large sunglasses.

The look came from Prodiàshvili’s Spring 2019 collection. The 23-year-old was inspired by the small but vibrant drag scene in his hometown of Tbilisi, Georgia. He cited the stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race, including Sasha Velour and Violet Chachki, as inspirations. As for Gaga’s specific look? Prodiàshvili wrote that it was based on “The Matrix’s scene when Neo meets Trinity at the nightclub.”

While this may seem like just another newsy celebrity style look, Gaga wearing a Prodiàshvili design bears heightened meaning in Georgia. Prodiàshvili has expressed his support for the LGBTQ+ community in his designs, a group that is often violently marginalized in Georgia where ultraconservative sentiments are still present. “Lady Gaga is one of my favorite queer artists from my childhood,” writes Prodiàshvili. “She is a big inspiration for any LGBTQ+ representative so for me it is very important to contribute to the community this way.” Call it a very happy and very chic day for Pride month both stateside and in Georgia.

Queen Letizia Wants to Remind You That She Wore Plastic Shoes First

The plastic shoe trend has been embraced by plenty of celebrities this spring. Those clear, foot-revealing styles have appeared on everyone from Rihanna to Kim Kardashian West (who often wears Yeezy heels designed by her husband, Kanye West). But before the movement really took off this season, one unexpected public figure had already been wearing them: Queen Letizia of Spain.

Last year, Her Majesty wore, on multiple occasions, PVC-strap mules by Steve Madden that cost less than $100. Visiting the CaixaForum in Madrid today, the Queen wore the style yet again. She switched up her favorite black colorway in favor of a lighter blush for spring, and then matched the rest of her ensemble to it with monochromatic pieces: a tweed vest, simple tank top, and breezy trousers, which were cropped to show off the shoes. In her hands, she also carried a discreet white clutch.

So, while the plastic accessory may not be new territory for the Spanish Queen, her latest venture serves as a reminder that she was one of the first do it. Will Kate Middleton or Meghan Markle soon follow suit? Only time will tell—but for now, the former seems pretty devoted to her yummy-mummy boots.

Kim Kardashian West Reveals Superhero-Worthy Abs at an Avengers-Themed Party

The season's rise in temperatures calls for a well thought-out approach to transitional spring dressing, but also a seasonal shift in hair and makeup looks. As most would resort to a simple skirt or a décolletage-revealing tank, leave it to Kim Kardashian West to have her own ideas on the subject.

Stepping out in Los Angeles last night for Travis Scott's Avengers-themed birthday celebration, the mother of three showed off her seriously sculpted mid-section in between a Bordeaux-hued crop top and curve-hugging red PVC leggings.

A flash of skin is hardly a surprise for the social media star, who's often seen with an exposed shimmering shoulder, but Kardashian West has put a superhero spin on her classic look. Paired with a swirl of flattering bronzer that's likely the work of KKW Beauty's Powder Contour Kit and a hair full of textured long beach waves, it seems the Calabasas-based beauty is perfectly prepped for spring.

Koché’s Pokémon Collaboration Is Tokyo Fashion Week’s Cutest Development

At Tokyo Fashion Week, the battle for cutest collection is big business; new contenders for the title frequently emerge, but this season’s clear winner is Koché’s Christelle Kocher. The French designer restaged her Fall 2019 collection atop Shibuya’s Tsutaya bookstore tonight, interspersing pieces she already presented in Paris with a series of new looks created in collaboration with Nintendo’s Detective Pikachu series, including bright soccer jerseys, logo-covered baseball caps, and a series of flirty separates in Pikachu yellow.

A fan of Pokémon’s manga incarnation, Kocher wanted to highlight the series’ mass appeal with her designs. “Pokémon is already something people are attached to across generations,” she said postshow. “I used to play when I was a kid, but now it’s evolved into a whole new story.” The popularity of the PokémonGo phone app, 122 video games, and a multitude of films and television programs all based on the same concept means that anyone born after 1996 is likely to have experienced a version of the tale. Ubiquity can be a hindrance, but after riffing on Planet Hollywood T-shirts and concert T-shirts in previous collections, Kocher was unfazed. “This was very special,” she said. “The connection between younger people, older people, and [someone like] me who has always been a big fan of Japanese culture.”

Kocher’s admiration extends beyond cartoons. Having visited Japan five times in the past year, she’s immersed herself in Tokyo’s design scene. In preparation for the Shibuya show, she worked with local patternmakers, had 25 looks created in Japan, and culled her cast of cool kids from the streets near the venue. The all-in approach was something she felt was necessary. “It was important to present this collection in the center of Tokyo, in the Shibuya Crossing and in an electric place with so much culture—fashion, books, music,” she said. “We’re on the top of the world, and you can feel the tension.”

If the idea of Pikachu popping up during fashion month still seems left of field, the collection arrives at a time when Pokémon’s parent company is feeling experimental. Last year saw the launch of a streetwear collab with Hiroshi Fujiwara’s Fragment Design, followed by a limited-edition drop for 10.Deep that referenced the hapless villains of Team Rocket. The video-game giant’s other big gambit is a Detective Pikachu movie starring Ryan Reynolds as a wisecracking and live-action incarnation of the character. Far removed from the monosyllabic cutesy version most are familiar with, the project represents a tonal shift that Hidenaga Katakami, the Pokémon Company’s senior director of animation and new media, says opened the doors for out-of-the-box marketing. “This film is edgier for us—it’s not a cartoon, and you have Pikachu doing things people who grew up with the animation have never seen him do. It make sense to align with a brand like Koché.”

Julia Roberts Was a Pretty Woman—In Pink!—At the Oscars

Julia Roberts is Hollywood royalty, so it’s only natural that she would close out tonight’s Oscars ceremony. Presenting for Best Picture, the actress served up a grand fashion finale that was worth the wait. (She chose to skip the red carpet this year, perhaps a strategic move to build up momentum for her look?)

On stage, Roberts wore a flowy-but-fitted bright pink dress by Elie Saab. The color proved to be one of the biggest trends of the evening; stars such as Gemma Chan, Sarah Paulson, and Helen Mirren all chose various shades of pink for the occasion. However, Roberts’s one-shouldered design, fit with an asymmetrical leg slit, managed to be both sexy and elegant at the same time. She accessorized her ensemble with simple Stuart Weitzman heels, as well as jewelry by the Taiwanese designer Cindy Chao.

At 51-years-old actress and her golden statue-worthy outfit, proved that this A-lister will continue to deliver jaw-dropping looks for many more awards shows to come. Julia for Oscars host? Let's start the campaign now.

Céline Dion Gives Executive Realness a Couture Twist

Céline Dion lives for couture. Over the last few seasons, the music legend has turned her Paris trips into an annual affair when she indulges in larger than life fashion and a glamorous lineup of events. Out and about this week with her handsome backup dancer Pepe Munoz, Dion has made a splash in the front row showing off her famous legs and an array of diva-worthy outfits. At this morning’s Ronald Van Der Kemp show, Dion put forth her sumptuous take on the power suit in a metallic piece from Van Der Kemp’s sustainably sourced collection. With its high shine silver fabric, nipped waist, and sculptural padded shoulders, her blazer and cropped trousers combo demanded attention—especially when paired with contrasting gold jewelry and a towering stiletto heels.

Dion’s first time in Van Der Kemp was an eventful one. While posing in the Hotel d’Avaray after the show, she celebrated the designer on Vogue Paris’s Instagram asserting that the clothes made her feel “fierce and elegant.” With that in mind, it’s really no surprise that Dion chooses to wear Couture for just about every occasion. As she put it, “It’s is such an amazing way of making people look and feel their best. It helps me to sing, it helps me to feel strong, to be happier, to function in life in a better way—I wear [couture] and it gets me to where I want go.”