9 fashion items that went viral in 2022

TikTok was behind many of the viral fashion moments. That’s thanks to videos documenting the rise of the “Barbiecore” aesthetic and the Valentino pink trend, as well as users raving about their loaded pants and nostalgic outfits. As such, brands aligned with these moments saw a significant increase in sales and exposure.

Below, we’ve compiled some of the hottest fashion items in 2022.

Diesel Brown B-Berny Belted Miniskirt

After taking over as Diesel’s creative director in 2020, Glenn Martens has worked to revive the brand. This year, his hard work paid off. Martens made its Milan Fashion Week debut with the brand in February, and in November, fashion tech company Lyst named Diesel’s revamped D logo its logo of the year. The latest logo paired with contemporary designs caught the attention of consumers, especially in the form of the Brown B-Berny Belt miniskirt. Since its introduction on the runway, the skirt has been at the center of controversy for its micro fit and luxury price. While some called it impractical, others have become obsessed with the barely-there mini skirt trend.

Attico Fern Cargo Jeans

When Kim Kardashian was photographed wearing The Attico’s now-viral Fern Cargo jeans this summer, the pants surprisingly flew off the virtual shelves. Remakes and spoofs of the popular pants were quickly released by countless brands, and the original style was seen on stage throughout fashion month. Along with the Kardashian seal of approval, the denim’s popularity can be attributed to its versatility and fashionable over-the-top fit.

Barbie

Pantone may have declared the color of 2022 to be Very Peri, but it was Valentino PP Pink that stood out among fashion fans. After Valentino presented an all-pink collection at the Fall 2022 Paris Fashion Week presentation, the color was seen across runways and red carpets. Celebrities including Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Vanessa Hudgens and Jenna Ortego were spotted in pieces from the Valentino line. And the search for styles in the popular color increased, influencing the rise of the “Barbie” aesthetic.

LL Bean Boat and Tote Bag

The Boat and Tote bag is by no means new, but this summer, it saw a resurgence that no one saw coming. When TikTok user @graciewiener posted a video of Boat and Tote’s ironic monogram options in June, it sent users into a frenzy. In fact, thanks to the @ironicboatandtote trend, the brand saw its strongest summer sales in nearly a decade.

Beyond the bag

If there is one bag that can be considered the “it” bag of the year, it is the Ana e Luar bag. Raúl López, founder and designer of Luar, first unveiled the bag in 2021 during the brand’s Spring 2022 show. Since then, she has been seen on the arms of countless A-list celebrities and influencers, including Julia Fox and Dua Lipa. The stylish and unique design of the bag, as well as the affordable price of the bag, helped increase its popularity. And López received the CFDA’s American Accessories Designer of the Year award this year.

Y/Project x Jean Paul Gaultier Collaboration

Although the Y/Project x Jean Paul Gaultier collaborative collection only became available to the general public in October, it has been on the radar of streetwear enthusiasts for months. In September, popular streetwear influencer Joel Mcloughlin, also known as Gallucks (350,000 followers) on Instagram, created an inspirational outfit video featuring a suit from the collection that garnered 145,000 likes. First-time parent A$AP Rocky was also spotted rocking a shirt from the collection this summer. This highly anticipated drop is already being sold on the Y/Project site and is being resold on resale sites.

Studios Mohair Acne Scarves

As the temperature has dropped, Acne Studios’ signature scarf has been popping up all over social media. The winter staple gained traction earlier in the year when fashion influencers flaunted it on the streets of London during fashion week. It has since become a status symbol among global consumers, as seen in videos of TikTokers documenting their search for the desired item. In November, the w-commerce platform Depop reported a 42% increase in searches for “Scarf”, compared to last winter.

Coach cushion shoulder bag

Although Coach’s Pillow Tabby bag was officially released in 2021, its popularity carried over into the new year. After receiving an official seal of approval from J.Lo, Pillow Tabby has taken TikTok by storm. On social media, consumers documented their journey from store to store to find the coveted bag. With Coach also securing key celebrity partnerships throughout the year, the brand secured its status as a brand to watch in 2023.

Wrap around sunglasses

An unexpected item that would go viral this year was the wraparound or “gas pump” sunglasses. Companies from Balenciaga to Amazon have released versions of the popular style, which has taken social media by storm. But as with trucker hats, grabbing a pair at a local gas station is popular among “in the know” consumers. What was once an accessory reserved only for dads and athletes has evolved into a cool item for millennials and Gen Z.