Year in review: 2018's top fashion trends

From Google's most-searched-for terms to Net-A-Porter's best-selling designer handbag, these are the top trends for 2018

SUVA, FIJI - OCTOBER 25: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the Unveiling of the Labalaba Statue Meghan, Duchess of Sussex looking straight to camera on October 25, 2018 in Suva, Fiji. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand.  (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
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When it comes to fashion, this year has been all about looking back, if the recently revealed most-searched-for terms on Google are anything to go by. That, and the British royals.

FILE - In this Saturday, May 19, 2018 file photo, Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stand on the steps of St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, after their wedding ceremony. The outfits Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wore at their wedding are to go on public display from Oct. 26, 2018 at the ceremony's venue, Windsor Castle. (Ben Birchhall/pool photo via AP, File)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after their wedding ceremony. AP

The top four search terms of the year in fashion were “1980s fashion”, “grunge style”, “1990s fashion” and “2000s fashion”. Unsurprisingly, Meghan Markle came in at number five, considering the world waited with bated breath for a glimpse of her custom Givenchy wedding gown and now continues to follow her evolving pregnancy style. “Men’s fashion”, “hipster style”, and “Kate Middleton” also made it into the top ten.

The search engine has also released a list of the ten brands people were Googling the most. Fast-fashion website Fashion Nova took the top spot, no doubt thanks to a number of high-profile collaborations with the likes of Cardi B and Kylie Jenner. Interestingly, it was the only high-street brand to make the list, with Louis Vuitton, Versace, Givenchy and Gucci making up the rest of the top five.

The 'it' bag

Although Gucci was only the fifth most-searched-for brand, its 'GG Marmont' bag was the best-selling item on Net-a-Porter, the online retailer's global buying director told InStyle. It sold more than 1,000 units in 2018 of the luxe bag, which has been spotted on the shoulders of celebs from Kourtney Kardashian and Kendall Jenner to Elle Fanning and Dakota Johnson.

The other most popular items of 2018 on Net-a-Porter included the Orseund Iris Boiler Suit, Souliers Martinez’s Woven Pumps and Tohum’s shell necklaces.

The GG Marmont bag was Net-a-Porter's best-selling designer bag in 2018. Courtesy Net-a-Porter
The GG Marmont bag was Net-a-Porter's best-selling designer bag in 2018. Courtesy Net-a-Porter

Dad trainers and cycling shorts 

Every year, a new item of leisure wear manages to sneak its way into our wardrobes, and this year it was the return of cycle shorts and ugly trainers. Ever since Kanye West debuted his Yeezy collection, which heavily featured cycling shorts, the Kardashians followed suit, and naturally, so did the internet.

Another throwback to the nineties, Dad sneakers made a big comeback in 2018 thanks to Balenciaga's triple S trainer, which inspired a whole new wave of the chunky, colorful, block trainer that have dominated street style over the past few months.

Leopard Love 

It's hard to think of a time that leopard print hasn't been in fashion, but in 2018, designers really took the classic style up a notch. Tom Ford, Victoria Beckham and Carolina Herrera's Autumn/Winter shows were all dominated by leopard print - particularly in a red and black style. Animal print has since filtered down into high street stores, and walk into any mall and you'll find just about any print and colour right now.

Tiny sunglasses

For the past few seasons, when it came to celebrities' choice of eyewear, it had always been the bigger the better. But that all changed in 2018 when supermodels such as Bella and Gigi Hadid, and Kendall Jenner were spotted throwing it back to the nineties by sporting tiny, cat-eyed sunglasses. The style was adopted by everyone from Prada and Celine to Zara and ASOS, and took over Instagram as the new 'it' shades.

Google’s most-searched-for in fashion:

1. 1980s fashion

2. Grunge style

3. 1990s fashion

4. 2000s fashion

5. Meghan Markle

6. Men's Fashion

7. Harajuku fashion

8. Hipster style

9. Kate Middleton

10. 1980s Men’s Fashion

Google’s most-searched-for fashion brands:

1. Fashion Nova

2. Louis Vuitton

3. Versace

4. Givenchy

5. Gucci

6. Alexander McQueen

7. Dolce & Gabbana

8. Fashionphile

9. Dior

10. Moschino

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Read more: 

Kendall Jenner is the highest paid model of 2018 - here's how much she earned

Designer of the Year Pierpaolo Piccioli's newfound authenticity

Louis Vuitton is the UAE's favourite luxury brand, followed by Hugo Boss and Dior

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