2021 Lyst Year in Fashion Report Names YEEZY x Gap Most Hyped Collab of the Year

As 2021 comes to a close, Lyst has officially released their Year in Fashion report, reflecting on the hottest trends this year. With the roll-out of the COVID vaccine, the year saw the transition to the so-called “new normal.” While many are grasping onto this new state, it is hard to deny that COVID is still impacting the fashion industry.

Fashion movements have seen a greater shift to digital with the widespread popularity of NFTs to virtual drops to collaborations with the gaming world. One of the most notable saw the Balenciaga x Fortnite collab that saw the physical capsule garner a 72% increase in online searches and 49% uptick for Balenciaga alone. Gender lines continue to blur with big names such as Lil Nas X appearing in a skirt on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Kid Cudi breaking barriers with his at the Met Gala.

Y2K fashion saw a major comeback with the younger generation looking towards the early 2000s icons like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, as their fit inspirations. Online, the #72kfashion hashtag has amassed over 220 million views on TikTok and searches for Y2K have increased 389% this year. In regards to this year’s most wanted products, Levi’s loose-fitted jeans come out on top, on-trend with the Y2K fashion comeback. The Rolex Submariner Watch, Bottega Veneta Mini Jodie Bag, Birkenstock Boston Clogs and Thom Browne Pleated Skirt come in second to fifth place respectively.

When it comes to sneakers, Nike Air Force 1s are crowned the hottest of the year, with the all-white classic becoming a Gen Z staple. The Off-White™ x Nike Dunk Low “THE 50” Series claims second while the YEEZY Foam Runner comes in third.

2021 was also a big year for partnerships with YEEZY x GAP ranked as the No. 1 collab of the year. Generating some of the highest buzz throughout the industry from when it was announced in June, searches for both brands rose by 320% and 325% respectively. Ivy Park x adidas pulled in major numbers as well, with searches spiking 536% within the week of the release of the Ivy Park Rodeo collection. The North Face x Gucci collab makes number three with their technical-focused capsule, while Telfar x UGG comes in fourth and Balenciaga x Gucci rounds out the group in fifth with their high-end “hacking” that saw two mega-brands link up for the first time and making way for other collabs like Fendace.

Unsurprisingly, Balenciaga makes its way to one of the top positions of hottest brands this year. In Q3 of this year, Lyst also named Balenciaga as the world’s hottest brand.

In other fashion news, Maison Margiela has offered a genderless elegance with its new ICONS collection.