The Highsnobiety team spends a hefty chunk of each year's 365 days talking, thinking, and shopping product. A divisive new sneaker or a stan-worthy individual sparking a renaissance in wardrobe pieces we'd canceled from the closet long ago is what gets us going. And 2019 didn't disappoint.
With the sun setting on the year, we've indulged in a retrospective of the products that made waves in our world, exploring the talked-about, loved-and-hated, and meme-generating pieces of 2019. From the fleece's new dawn to the working in of workwear to red carpet fits, a lot went down in the world of shopping over the last year, so don't blame us if we missed a moment or two (we need a holiday too 'ya know!)
Jacquemus Micro Bag
Though just two inches in size, Jacquemus' miniature bag had a massive moment in 2019. An even smaller iteration of the previous year's Le Saq Chiquito, the Mini Le Chiquito was met with a deluge of micro-bag-bashing memes. With sartorial shock-thresholds increasing tenfold this year, we look forward to where Jacqemus takes its accessories in 2020.
Patagonia Fleece
As seen on Kendall Jenner, Wells Fargo Center, January 2019
We all went wild for the wooly stuff this year, and so did the world's number one model. Sure, the everyday use of outdoor wear certainly didn't arise in 2019, but it seemed to be present in the wardrobes of pretty much everyone at the decade's close. As if it needed encouragement, the look got plenty by strong fleece shows from the likes of Kendall Jenner and Shia LaBeouf. With the green one worn by the model now out hard to find, you can cop the blue edition of the Snap-T pullover above.
Arc'teryx Jacket
As seen above, the encroach of built-for-hiking brands on our day-to-day fits blew up this year. Patagonia pieces occupied the more accessible side of this adoption, but a movement for more niche outdoor garments grew too. Arguably Instagram's best account, organiclab.zip is the result of a generation that saw pops' power walk gear turn grail. The fact Arc'teryx is now stocked by most luxe retailers is a telling sign o' the times.
Dickies Eisenhower Jacket
As seen on Kanye West, Met Gala, May 2019
Let's face it, humans are shallow. And when celebs wear something, what often follows is a scramble to cop that very same thing. With our innate shopping habits uncontrollable, it helps when these pieces are affordable. All hail bank balance savior Kanye West and his donning of a sub-$100 Dickies Eisenhower jacket at the 2019 Met Gala. Did it fit the event's "Camp: Notes on Fashion” theme? Not really. But a moment, nonetheless.
Marine Serre Crescent Moon Top
French designer Marine Serre had a real year to remember in 2019, and the crescent moon second-skin-like turtleneck was a key player in the label's monumental rise. A bonafide statement piece, it's probably best to get as much wear out of this one before everyone has it. Did we mention you can get one for your dog too?
The Mule
As seen on our #MuleBoyz Jian DeLeon and Noah Thomas pretty much all year
For many of us here at Highsnobiety, 2019 will go down as the year of the mule. Spearheaded by our very own no-heel heroes Jian DeLeon and Noah Thomas, the mulement went from a quiet tale of two to a bonafide cult of the clog, even getting its own Insta page. A favorite brand for us — Our Legacy — came through with, personally, the mule of the year.
Heeled Boots
Sportswear's occupation of pretty much all sartorial territory strengthened as the decade went on, with 2018 being the point when athleisure reached saturation. Under the everywhere-you-look rule of GORE-TEX, our hunger for more sophisticated options only intensified, and this year saw men explore the footwear plains with more freedom. And thus, the return of the heel happened.
Nail Art
As seen on A$AP Rocky, August 2019
Overall, 2019 will be a year that A$AP will want to forget. But in fashion, Flacko helped drive a resurgence in male nail art, breathing new life into lacquer through painted flames and smileys on his fingers. You'll find some nail-related shopping inspo here.
Jil Sander Oversized Tote
First seen in the label's pre-fall 2019 lookbook
Here's an antidote for those who couldn't quite accept the Jacquemus Mini Le Chiquito. Introduced via the Jil Sander Pre-Fall 2019 lookbook, the giant tote was one for the oversized enthusiasts that laugh in the tiny face of one-coin-only micro bags.
Needles Tracksuit
Another product that was not a new thing for 2019, but one that reached peak dominance this year. Genre-defying and ultra-wearable, the Needles tracksuit has cemented its place as a wardrobe staple for those that know.
Dior Olbique Saddle Bag
The Sorayama edition of the Dior saddle bag was a key talking point of Kim Jones' Fall/Winter 2019 show for the couture label. Retailing at around $30,000 dollars, however, it was more than out of reach to most of us. Here, we've picked out something more affordable. Relatively of course.
Louis Vuitton Iridescent Bag
The SS19 Louis Vuitton show marked Virgil Abloh’s maiden runway for LV, and it was a debut that did not disappoint. Beneath the sunshine outside the Palais Royal, this rainbow of a runway show shone a light on Virgil’s vision for a brand famous for its accessories. The light-bending, and attention-demanding, prism keepall was one particular show stopper — a cult favorite.
Prada Cloudbust Thunder Shoe
Stomping through Prada's Fall/Winter 2019 show as loudly as its namesake, the Cloudbust Thunder can literally not be ignored. A shoe of heavy metal nature, and the perfect accompaniment to a collection where Frankenstein's creature reared its ugly head often.
1017 ALYX 9SM Derby Shoe with Removable Sole
Like the aforementioned Marine Serre, 1017 ALYX 9SM is a brand that went from strength to strength in 2019. Part of the brand's FW19 collection, Matthew Williams' label offered up a highlight footwear piece of the year — the derby shoe, complete with detachable sole for those who like to maneuver between loud and low-key looks.
1017 ALYX 9SM Hero Chain
Yep, 1017 ALYX 9SM again, but can you blame us? A massive year for a brand that now counts Bella Hadid and Skepta among its loyal fans. Its major moves in 2019 were orchestrated largely by the brand's jewelry line, distinguished by the signature Rollercoaster Buckle. The Swoosh featuring Hero Chain was a highlight.
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