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Trends ebb and flow on the runways every season, but looking at the bigger picture, 2019 really was the year of the unexpected – and we have celebrities to thank. Stylish stars hit the streets in daring pieces that were all about embracing the element of surprise. Bags were either enormous, or so minuscule as to serve no practical purpose. Strappy sandals were replaced by the flip flop heel. Male envelope pushers like Harry Styles, Ezra Miller and Lil Nas X experimented with new takes on the man bag and dainty jewellery.
Discover six unexpected trends that took over in 2019 below.
Sexy Cardis & Sweater Vests
A look that was first ignited in the early autumn (which is prime knitwear season, after all), stars put a sexier spin on both cardigans and sweater vests this year. Who could forget Katie Holmes’s viral Khaite cashmere bra and cardigan set? Model Bella Hadid also offered a cooler spin on the sweater vest in a knitted utility vest by emerging designer Reese Cooper. More recently, Harry Styles took his already impressive knit game to the next level, wearing a sweater vest covered in sheep.
’70s Flares
Skinny jeans, what? 2019 was all about ditching slim fits in favour of more voluminous shapes instead – specifically flares. The ’70s-style, wide-leg pant made a huge comeback on both men and women. Margot Robbie and Priyanka Chopra both offered their takes on the trend, while Mark Ronson and Styles made made bell-bottoms a recurring signature.
Statement Bags (Micro, Oversized & Man)
Bags are a daily essential – but 2019 wasn’t about practical carry-alls. This year, celebrities used handbags to make a statement: they were either super tiny, or hilariously large. At the AMAs, Lizzo stole the show when she carried the teeniest, tiniest Valentino bag on the red carpet. At the other end of the spectrum, model Kendall Jenner stepped out holding a giant Hermès Birkin bag, her go-to traveling essential. Men sported purses aplenty this year, too. Ansel Elgort looked particularly slick when he paired his black top-handle style with a classic khaki suit.
Flip-Flop Heels
Celebrities revived the divisive flip-flop heel of the ’90s. The thonged stiletto was first worn by Kim Kardashian West, who frequently sported Yeezy styles designed by her husband, Kanye West. Soon after, the craze continued when fellow stars such as Rihanna and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley started rocking it, too. Huntington-Whiteley is a fan of Bottega Veneta’s cult styles in particular.
Baroque Men’s Jewellery
Men’s jewellery is traditionally understated and subtle – but this year, men went down an altogether daintier route, opting for jewels that felt refreshingly feminine. Ezra Miller wore ornate earrings on the red carpet, while Lil Nas X often favoured sparkly necklaces. During fashion month, rapper A$AP Rocky – who also rocked a babushka scarf for much of 2019 – went baroque with an ornate choker and a pearl necklace.
Autumn Maxi Skirts
Easy-breezy skirts aren’t just for the beach, celebrities switched things up and wore the maxi skirt in the autumn instead. The end result was surprisingly sophisticated, especially when paired with a more structured blazer or coat, as Priyanka Chopra and Jennifer Lawrence did. The look got the royal stamp of approval, too: Kate Middleton wore elegant maxi hemlines for a number of her autumn appearances.
This article was originally published by Vogue.com.
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