An Expert Tells All: Everyone Will Still Be Buying These Trends in 2020

As we finally prepare to wrap up the year, it is always fun to take time to get a little nostalgic about the trends that have come and gone. If you are a hyper-obsessed fashion follower, you have probably already retired some of this year's most popular trends and have begun investing in all the biggest style predictions for 2020. However, the reality is that most of the world, and most of the world's shoppers, aren’t paying as much attention as we are to the latest and greatest styles. Someone like you, a loyal Who What Wear reader, sees a trend come down the runway and instantly beings your search for said It item while the rest of the world needs about a year to really let the trend saturate the market enough for them to feel comfortable buying into it; the following list of trends is proof of that exact sentiment. 

To give a little more context, we recently had the opportunity to tap Alison Stiefel, general manager of ShopStyle, for some insider data surrounding some of the most searched-for trends on its site. In case you aren't familiar, ShopStyle is a website that allows you to search a term like "ankle boots" and you will be greeted with a curation of the best ankle boots on the market. Naturally, ShopStyle has access to what people all over the world are searching for at all times. Consider it the shopping version of Google.

Curious to know what is in store for 2020, I asked Alison to fill us in on which 2019 trends people will still be shopping for next year according to the site's data."We’re going to see that 2020 is the year of the revival trends. Many of the top trends showcase a nod to the ’80s but with a contemporary twist,” says Stiefel. None of the trends ahead are going to be new to you by any means, but the numbers don't lie—these seven trends will still be worn by shoppers all over the world come 2020, just wait and see. 

1. Padded Headbands

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(Image credit: The Style Stalker)

"Headbands have shown the biggest increase in searches within the accessories category. The top style for 2020 will be the padded headband, which has seen a +14,100% spike! Other top styles include embellished (especially with pearls), velvet, braided, and knotted headbands, or any combination of these.”

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2. Neon

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(Image credit: The Style Stalker)

"Neon is officially back. Searches on ShopStyle are up 221% on everything bright from jackets to dresses to swimwear. The most popular neon colors are neon lime and pink.” 

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3. Boilersuits

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(Image credit: The Style Stalker)

"Boilersuits are the jumpsuit to own for 2020, the easy-to-wear utility style is up +162%. Look to on-trend fabrics, such as leather or denim, and design features like zipper closures, tie-waist belts, and flap pockets.”

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4. Velcro Sneakers

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

"Shoppers are investing in the athleisure trend. For the first time, we’re seeing double-digit increases in searches for sneakers that surpass searches for heels. Velcro sneakers have seen the biggest increase with searches for the style up +118%.” 

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5. Square-Toe Shoes

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(Image credit: The Style Stalker)

"Square toe shoes first started gaining popularity this fall, and we’re expecting to see this trend carry straight into 2020 with 94% growth. Top styles include both boots and heels. Look out for square-toe sandals in spring 2020!”

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6. Puffy Sleeves

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(Image credit: The Style Stalker)

"Searches for ‘puffy sleeves’ on ShopStyle are surging by +78%. The puffy sleeve ranges from an everyday detail to high-drama statement on dresses and tops.”

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7. Oversize Blazers

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(Image credit: The Style Stalker)

"ShopStyle has seen a +79% increase in searches for oversized blazers. For 2020, the menswear staple is holding strong. Power suits are not only trending toward more oversized silhouettes, but they are getting a makeover with fresh colors like pastels and neons, prints, and fabrics.” 

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Editorial Director

Lauren Eggertsen is currently the editorial director of Who What Wear and has worked at the company for over eight years, where she started as an associate editor and has since worked her way up. Lauren has over 10 years of experience in the fashion editorial space, starting her career with internships at Marc Jacobs, Marie Claire, and The Zoe Report, where she was later hired as their editorial assistant. Lauren has worked in the Los Angeles and New York Who What Wear offices but currently calls L.A. home. It is here where she leads and manages Who What Wear's fashion team and oversees all day-to-day editorial content and large tentpole moments. This includes all of the runway, trend, and shopping-driven content that ultimately helps to build a strong brand reputation within the industry. Lauren's role also includes helping to set the fashion direction for all original photo shoots and often styles many of the celebrity cover shoots, including big names like Kaia Gerber, Normani, and Kristen Stewart.

She has also attended multiple fashion weeks, including New York, London, Milan, and Paris, where her personal style has been featured on sites such as Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, and Elle. She prides herself on discovering and supporting small brands and on her knack for a good vintage shopping find. When she isn't working, she enjoys researching and dining at reputable restaurants around both her neighborhood and the globe.