GONE are opera gloves, knee socks and heeled loafers, as summer fashion gets laid-back and fuss-free – albeit with a healthy dose of colour, lightness and even eccentricity.
Forget riding the wave of quiet luxury or preppy chic, as shoppers seem determined not to take themselves too seriously, looking instead to fun, casual fashion.
As a result, the beret is being upstaged by the bucket hat, ballet flats are being traded for flip-flops, and oversized bags are being usurped by nature-inspired models as the most popular accessories of the summer.
Fans of 'quiet luxury', 'plazacore' and other old-money-inspired fashion trends may well be in for a shock when the vacation getaway arrives.
It seems that many mere mortals have chosen to leave their most elegant accessories in the closet, or have revised their idea of what it means to be stylish.
At least, that's what the latest report from the global fashion search engine Stylight suggests, focusing on the trendiest accessories for summer 2023.
According to the search and buying behaviour of the platform's 120 million annual shoppers, bucket hats will once again be riding high, as will raffia bags and sunglasses with tinted lenses, all of which are shaping up to be some of the most popular accessories for summer.
Bucket hats are going nowhere
Every summer, it's the same old story. Just when you think the bucket might have fallen back into oblivion, here it is, propelled back to the rank of the season's star accessory. And 2023 will be no exception.
Once considered a has-been and totally outdated accessory, the bucket hat is now a must-have, from the catwalk to the street. Quite a comeback for this headgear that for years was subject to all manner of mockery.
Today, it's a favourite of fashion stars such as Chiara Ferragni, Emily Ratajkowski and even Kylie Jenner, who can't seem to get enough of this hat du jour.
The trend is such that last winter, a fluffy version proved particularly hot property, shoring up the bucket hat's standing in the fashion sphere.
Expect more of the same in summer 2023, with bucket hats lounging on the world's most exclusive beaches – but not just any kind of bucket hat. This year's go-to is the crochet bucket hat – embracing another trend revived during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Stylight reports an increase of over 1,000% for this accessory category compared to the same period last year, representing a 13-fold increase in demand.
Whether designed by a luxury label or homemade in DIY style, the crochet bucket hat will undoubtedly have pride of place in your suitcase this season.
Crochet dresses are proving popular too, with a 24% increase in Google searches compared to last year.
Bohemian vibes
The bucket hat is not the only accessory set to accompany vacationers this summer. Bags made from raffia, an increasingly popular natural fiber, are also in demand, with clicks up more than 1,000% on last year, representing an 18-fold increase in interest.
They come in all styles, and at all price points, with ultrasophisticated models offered by top luxury houses, including Longchamp and Celine, and with more affordable creations found in thrift stores or boutiques specializing in eco-friendly fashion.
To complete this cool, boho look, what could be better than sunglasses with tinted lenses – especially orange – which have seen search interest up 87% over the past year.
This season's other star accessories include oversized sunglasses (+81%), canvas bags (+70%), three-dimensional rose details (+52%) – on dresses, accessories and jewellery – plus caps (+28%), and flip-flops (+23%), but in more sophisticated materials like leather, or with embellishments and straps to add a touch of elegance to summer outfits. – ETX Daily Up, May 27, 2023
*The report is based on an analysis of clicks across the 15 Stylight platforms for the period of March 1 to May 15, 2023, compared with the same period last year. Google Trends search data was analysed over the same period.
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