How Many of 2016's Most Popular Trends Are in Your Closet?

Doesn't time fly when fashion's having fun? As the end of 2016 approaches, we're searching for newness: Looking ahead to spring/summer 2017 and all of the exciting things it has in store for your closets is currently our number one occupation. But there's no way of going forward without taking a little look back, as this year's biggest trends will undoubtedly shape the look of next year's. Whether acting as a catalyst for a 180 or simply segueing into a new, souped-up version of what's come before, the development of trends always leaves behind a visual timeline. So we're computing and analysing everything that's happened this year because, well, we're obsessive like that… and we've just received some very interesting inside data intel from the über-shopping search engine, Lyst.com.

The year 2016 has been nothing if not a year of polarizing opposites: We've seen risqué moments rule (anyone recall that nipple debate?) at the same as the Scandi trend for "hygge" (that's all things cosy and snuggly and happy-making) gain momentum. Athleisure has provided us with a glorious amount of stretchy day-to-day comfort, but corsetry has been the backbone of the most directional accessories-lovers. Sky-high heels were many a designer's firm take on what's hot now, but never before have sneakers and flats sales been so strong. Confused? Don't be. We're in the midst of an everything-is-everything period, where one day you can as sporty as Sporty Spice in a boxing class, or as ladylike as an eccentric dame the next. 

So keep reading to see what the biggest shopping trends of 2016 have been—and see how many you ticked off!

"For every pair of fluffy Gucci Princetown backless loafers that came on Lyst in April this year, 180 people tried to buy them," says our Lyst insider. "Six months later, the metallic Gucci styles were UK sell-outs too. The high street was quick to adopt the trend, and by October ‘backless’ was the most searched-for term within the flat shoes category on Lyst. There were more than 4000 more pairs of backless loafers and mules available to buy online this year compared to 2015."

Shop the best loafers for your style.

"Searches for off-the-shoulder pieces peaked in June, when Lyst was seeing 3000 searches an hour for 'Bardot' styles. While standout off-the-shoulder pieces by Tibi, Theory, Ellery, Magda Butrym and Johanna Ortiz spiked Instagram likes and web traffic for these contemporary designers, overall Zara sold the most off-the-shoulder tops to UK shoppers this year."

Even Kate Middleton did this silhouette in 2016!

"The millennial’s shade of choice, pink was the fifth most popular colour on Lyst for women's clothing this year (behind black, blue, grey and white). This represents a phenomenal increase in demand (approximately +810% more page views for pink products than last year) for a colour that was the tenth most popular in 2015. Pink knitwear in particular saw a huge spike this autumn, across both high-street and high-end brands."

See the pink sweater that every blogger picked up.

"UK sales of velvet clothes and accessories increased 45% from August to December. Velvet boots were trending in October, and in November velvet overtook lace as the most searched-for winter party dress look in London."

Want to know more? Check out how to wear velvet and still feel casual.

"Vetements was the second most searched-for designer of 2016 overall (behind Gucci), and the oversize Vetements hoodie was the most popular product by the cult brand. Lyst saw a 48% increase in sales of luxury hoodies in 2016, and the average UK order value for a hoodie has increased from £35 to £85 in 12 months."

See the Vetements floral dress that went global too.

"J.W.Anderson’s Pierce bag was the hottest handbag of the year, as seen on fashion bloggers and editors’ Instagrams during fashion week and beyond. During September fashion week alone, more than 750,000 people searched for a J.W.Anderson Pierce bag on Lyst, and this bag is responsible for a triple increase in traffic to the designer page this year."

See and shop the full designer It bag lineup.

"Trainers officially overtook heels as the British woman’s shoe of choice this year. Away from the gym, the fashion girl’s sneaker of the year was a pair of Vans Old Skool in black and white. Demand for this unisex style started building momentum in spring, and now Lyst sees more than 18,000 searches a day for the monochrome skate shoe."

Get some inspo from all of the street style mavens who wear Vans Old Skool sneakers.

"Searches for puffer jackets increased 300% from September to December, with the best-selling styles the puffiest coats. Raf Simons’s £1700 oversize puffer sold out globally in two weeks after being worn by Rihanna, and a dark green Urban Outfitters puffer became the star of its own viral Instagram page."

Shop more of the best winter coats.

"Sales of logo sportswear increased 64% year on year, with notable comebacks from '00s favourites Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger Jeans, Reebok, Champion and Ellesse. In May we even saw a spike in searches for Von Dutch trucker caps."

Check out the five noughties trends that made a comeback this year.

"As predicted by Taylor Swift at Coachella, chokers replaced flower crowns as the 2016 festival season accessory of choice, and then stayed popular all year long. Sales of chokers increased 120% this year, hitting peak popularity in July."

We think you'll want to know what Alexa Chung thinks of chokers…

"Bomber jackets outsold biker jackets by three to one this year. British shoppers bought a bomber jacket online every three minutes in May. While black was the best-selling colourway overall, satin souvenir styles with embroidered detail were popular this summer too, in every price point from Louis Vuitton to ASOS."

It's not just buying a bomber jacket that counts; it's how you shrug it off the shoulders too.

"Challenging the skinny’s dominance for the first time in three years, the most searched-for jeans by British shoppers in 2016 were straight styles, across high-street brands and designer denim. Frayed, patchwork and step-hem denim all had moments this year (step-hem jeans saw a 140% increase in searches after September fashion week), but the best sellers overall were clean, straight, classic jeans."

Find out about the best jeans these fashion editors have ever bought.

Next up, the most important things on your S/S 17 trend list.

Opening Images: Collage Vintage