Pigeon bags, chunky sneakers and a dollhouse: the rise of the viral accessory
In fashion, desirable accessories are nothing new. See the Fendi baguette, the 2000s It bag or the recent fashion for chunky dad sneakers. But, as the influence of social media on style intensifies, shoes, bags and hats are taking center stage more than ever. It's the era of the viral accessory.
JW Anderson's pigeon bag - a clutch that is a resin model of the bird - is an example. popular. It has a waiting list on the brand's site, where it was the most viewed item in August. It has since been worn by Sarah Jessica Parker on the set of And Just Like That… and by Sam Smith at London fashion week.
Balenciaga is another brand that has makes props for the social media age. Her ads recently went viral for the wrong reasons – they showed kids carrying purses that were teddy bears dressed in BDSM outfits. Previous examples of the brand's viral items include a bag that looks like a rubbish bag but costs £1,290, and a version of the famous Ikea Frakta that costs £1,365 compared to the 40p original from Ikea. /p>
But the viral accessory is not limited to designer fashion. Other items that have reached fever pitch online this year – largely via TikTok – included the £90 Birkenstock Boston mule and a shoulder bag from Uniqlo that cost £14.90.
Videos with #uniqlobag have 35.2 million views on TikTok and inspired a similar design by fast fashion brand Shein. The desire for the Bostons this year was so heightened that dealers were selling them at inflated prices. In October, The New York Times reported that a consumer bought a pair for $330 (£271), against an RRP of $160 (£131).
In its report for Q3 2022, fashion search engine Lyst noted that eight of the 10 most searched items were accessories – Miu Miu ballet flats, which saw a 1,100% increase in searches, at Birkenstock Boston. This is called to continue. In the spring-summer 2023 runway collections, bags like crystal bears (Gucci) and a dollhouse (Louis Vuitton) are already creating buzz, and elbow-length gloves are shaping up to be a trend.
"Accessories have become a world of their own, as opposed to simply being an add-on to ready-to-wear," says Libby Page, Market Director at Net-a-Porter . "For the fall/winter season alone, we have significantly increased our assortment of bags, shoes and accessories by 65% due to strong customer demand."
The Resale app Depop reports that 80% of its shoppers say social media is their source of inspiration, in part because second-hand items are more affordable. "The cost of living crisis is impacting shopping habits across the country, with many of us having less disposable income to spend on replenishing our wardrobes," says Agustina Panzoni, head of trends at Depop.
Designer accessories are a smart choice - they are cheaper and a more affordable entry into luxury brands. They're also a way to show off your fashion prowess, even if the outfit they're worn with is mundane. "We're seeing more and more shoppers test a trend through accessories before committing to more expensive wardrobe staples," Panzoni says. Vintage Fendi baguette bags are particularly popular, with searches up 2,600% this year.
In fashion, desirable accessories are nothing new. See the Fendi baguette, the 2000s It bag or the recent fashion for chunky dad sneakers. But, as the influence of social media on style intensifies, shoes, bags and hats are taking center stage more than ever. It's the era of the viral accessory.
JW Anderson's pigeon bag - a clutch that is a resin model of the bird - is an example. popular. It has a waiting list on the brand's site, where it was the most viewed item in August. It has since been worn by Sarah Jessica Parker on the set of And Just Like That… and by Sam Smith at London fashion week.
Balenciaga is another brand that has makes props for the social media age. Her ads recently went viral for the wrong reasons – they showed kids carrying purses that were teddy bears dressed in BDSM outfits. Previous examples of the brand's viral items include a bag that looks like a rubbish bag but costs £1,290, and a version of the famous Ikea Frakta that costs £1,365 compared to the 40p original from Ikea. /p>
But the viral accessory is not limited to designer fashion. Other items that have reached fever pitch online this year – largely via TikTok – included the £90 Birkenstock Boston mule and a shoulder bag from Uniqlo that cost £14.90.
Videos with #uniqlobag have 35.2 million views on TikTok and inspired a similar design by fast fashion brand Shein. The desire for the Bostons this year was so heightened that dealers were selling them at inflated prices. In October, The New York Times reported that a consumer bought a pair for $330 (£271), against an RRP of $160 (£131).
In its report for Q3 2022, fashion search engine Lyst noted that eight of the 10 most searched items were accessories – Miu Miu ballet flats, which saw a 1,100% increase in searches, at Birkenstock Boston. This is called to continue. In the spring-summer 2023 runway collections, bags like crystal bears (Gucci) and a dollhouse (Louis Vuitton) are already creating buzz, and elbow-length gloves are shaping up to be a trend.
"Accessories have become a world of their own, as opposed to simply being an add-on to ready-to-wear," says Libby Page, Market Director at Net-a-Porter . "For the fall/winter season alone, we have significantly increased our assortment of bags, shoes and accessories by 65% due to strong customer demand."
The Resale app Depop reports that 80% of its shoppers say social media is their source of inspiration, in part because second-hand items are more affordable. "The cost of living crisis is impacting shopping habits across the country, with many of us having less disposable income to spend on replenishing our wardrobes," says Agustina Panzoni, head of trends at Depop.
Designer accessories are a smart choice - they are cheaper and a more affordable entry into luxury brands. They're also a way to show off your fashion prowess, even if the outfit they're worn with is mundane. "We're seeing more and more shoppers test a trend through accessories before committing to more expensive wardrobe staples," Panzoni says. Vintage Fendi baguette bags are particularly popular, with searches up 2,600% this year.
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