Men only want one thing — and it’s Kanye West’s Adidas Yeezy slides

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Trends come and go, but it looks like the Yeezy slide might be forever. According to Lyst’s latest quarterly report, the Adidas-backed slippers are the world’s hottest product among male-identifying shoppers.

It’s worth noting that Lyst’s data — accumulated from Google search data, social media mentions, and shopper behavior — don’t speak for all fashion consumers thanks to the overwhelming different ways to shop. Although most may take to the internet to find a desired item, Lyst’s data doesn’t necessarily include shoppers who use apps to purchase or search for goods, and should be taken with a grain of salt (sorry Kanye).

Too hot to handle — Still, it’s no secret the Yeezy slide is in high demand. Ever since it launched in December of 2019, the slipper (like most Yeezy products) has become impossible to obtain. As celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Kanye don the slide, demand rises — meaning prices do too.

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Consumers must enter a lottery-based draw to purchase the Yeezy slide, or hope they score on a third-party website (which could very well be selling fakes). Resellers, armed with bots, compete for the shoe too, either to flex or to make a fat profit. Their presence, along with limited stock, makes a W unlikely for the average consumer — pushing shoppers to buy the $55 slide for upwards of $1,000 on resale sites.

Lyst’s data suggests Yeezy’s exclusive methods work: By limiting its slide so much, Yeezy has been able to keep up demand for the shoe almost two years after its initial release. In a world where trends are changing within weeks, that’s pretty impressive.

Some things will never change — But some things just don’t change, as evidenced by the Lyst Index. The world’s biggest brands seem to have remained so, as Lyst’s data found that Gucci ranked as the world’s hottest brand, followed by Dior, Nike, Louis Vuitton, and Prada to round out the top five.

Lyst

What’s more surprising is what consumers are searching for. Over the course of the past quarter, Lyst found that searches relating to “agender fashion” increased by 46%, which can be noted by the inclusion of Fendi’s Baguette bag (6th place) and Thom Browne’s pleated skirt (10th place) on the hottest men’s product list.

While the results can’t speak for society as a whole, the findings are nonetheless interesting. Could we soon be walking around in Thom Browne pleated skirts and Yeezy slides (if we can get them)?

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If there’s one thing you can take away from the summer runway collections, it’s that designers are thinking outside the box during this season after a very difficult year. Dior Men’s models wore pastel-colored outfits, while fashion houses like Ami designed shorts that are fitting for the warmest season of the year. These brands are certainly pushing the boundaries of menswear by giving you more style options. So if you’re looking to experiment with your wardrobe and reinvent your own personal style, here are some top summer trends for you to try:

Bright Colors

Credit: @dior on Instagram

What makes this specific trend special this summer is that the releases are being dyed in hues that designers have rarely used such as neon and pastel colors. Case in point: Travis Scott’s collaboration with Kim Jones, the artistic director of Dior Men, featured silky silhouettes in lilac, pink, and even dayglo green. Meanwhile, Louis Vuitton’s artistic director of menswear, Virgil Abloh, released a collection of graphic printed tops and wide-legged jeans with neon details.

Sleeveless Tops

Credit: @burberry on Instagram

Keep your jackets and trench coats in the closet, because it’s time to feel the warm summer breeze with a comfy, sleeveless top. Rick Owens’ SS21 collection features grungy, monochromatic outfits that match plain sleeveless tops with baggy pants and shorts. You can also take it up a notch by going for a daring look and pairing wide pants with a vest top. Take inspiration from Burberry’s leather collection of vests used as tops, or Giorgio Armani’s bright and wide vest tops.

Wide Bottoms

Credit: @dolcegabbana on Instagram

Forget those skinny jeans, this season is all about breezy and wide bottoms. In fact, our article on the ‘8 Casual Wear Outfit Tips Every Man Should Know’ emphasizes that chinos and casual pants are a great alternative to casual jeans. You can take inspiration from Gucci and pair it with a bright button-down shirt for a more polished look. But if you want something a bit more hip and youthful, take a cue from the wide-legged and bright shorts released by Dolce & Gabbana and Fendi.

Chunky Sneakers

Credit: @philippplein on Instagram

Retro sportswear is popular once again. So, when it comes to sneakers, those chunky styles from the 80s and 90s are back to dominate the streets. Just take a look at Jaden Smith’s collaboration with New Balance, which is aptly named the “Trippy Summer” Pack — the colors and style truly represent the trendiest sneakers this season. These particular kicks combine a retro style you expect from New Balance models with bright and vibrant colorways, which are currently en vogue. Alternatively, you can take a page out of Wooyoungmi and Philipp Plein’s books, who have paired chunky kicks with wide-legged shorts or pants. You can show off these trendy sneakers as you head outdoors and enjoy the warmth of the summer sun.

Comfy Slides

Credit: @hermes on Instagram

Do you prefer comfort over style? This season is definitely for you as you can pair your breezy pants with your favorite slides. Birkenstocks are becoming popular among celebrities like Chris Pine and Usher, who are style icons in their own right—the casual kind, anyway. Plus, luxury brands like Hermès, MSGM, and Isabel Marant are giving slides a well-deserved promotional push. Their minimalistic style and comfortable fit are perfect for a stroll in the park or for pool parties. This season, menswear is definitely pushing the boundaries to ensure men across the world enjoy both style and comfort.

These trends are an invitation for you to experiment with different styles and colors during the summer season. Despite the bright colors, the breezy silhouettes and the chunky (yet comfortable) shoes will surely bring you a lot of comfort.

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Now that the Spring/Summer 2022 menswear shows have come to an end, FashionUnited reflects on the key takeaways from the collections. Keep reading to discover eight of the menswear trends that’ll come in full blast next summer.

Casual tailoring

Brioni Spring/Summer 2022. Photo credit: Courtesy of Brioni.

Traditional tailoring is taking a step back to welcome a more modern version of this classic wardrobe style. Shapes are more relaxed and colours soften, creating low-key suits and pieces that can be mixed and matched for a less formal take on two-piece sets. At Dior, short-style suits came in an oversized cut and were paired with slides and socks; at Tod’s, timeless suit trousers were dressed down with relaxed quilted jackets while at Brioni, cuffs were rolled up and suit jackets were worn with nonchalance on the shoulder.

Prints, prints, prints

Ahluwalia Spring/Summer 2022. Photo credit: Courtesy of Ahluwalia.

Next summer, prints will be mixed with…prints. Whether they come as colourful patchworks or monochromatic all-over patterns, prints will be in full swing. Bethany Williams paired neutral staples like a suit with colourful details - whether it be with delicate embroideries on a jacket or a multicoloured shirt. Ahluwalia opted for a checked sweater and a psychedelic-print bag while Lanvin showcased an all-over blue and orange look topped off with a checked coat.

Dainty jewellery

Dolce & Gabbana Spring/Summer 2022. Photo credit: Catwalk Pictures

We’ve seen more and more jewellery details appear in next summer’s collections, from stacked necklaces to delicate belt ornaments. While some brands opted for a show-off effect, most of them chose dainty pieces that elevate an outfit instead of stealing the show. Dolce & Gabbana presented an oversized suit with layered necklaces on an open silk shirt and Dior chose a total-black look detailed with an elegant brooch and jewel belt peeking through a tailored coat.

Graphic shapes

Burberry Spring/Summer 2022. Photo credit: Courtesy of Burberry.

The Spring/Summer 2022 collections have shown sculptural shapes and graphic cuts that stand out on their own. Trench coats are elevated with bold shoulders and blazers come in exaggerated dimensions. At Burberry, a sleeveless bomber jacket was uplifted with big ribbed trims and Louis Vuitton introduced nipped-in suit jackets outweighed by large shoulders for zaftig proportions that added dimension to the silhouettes.

Colour galore

Etro Spring/Summer 2022. Photo credit: Courtesy of Etro.

Whether it’s in womenswear or in men’s collections, next summer will be bright and bold. Colours are making a grand entrance and will come in all possible shapes and sizes. Louis Vuitton presented an alpine landscape made of lush greens and bright pinks, Canali chose a fuschia total-look while Hermès opted for a cardigan and sweater ensemble in saturated sunset hues.

Elevated sportswear

Fendi Spring/Summer 2022. Photo credit: Catwalk Pictures.

Sportswear isn’t going anywhere next summer, but it’s getting a polished update. Whether it’s with the help of refined cuts, luxurious fabrics or exaggerated minimalism, sporty pieces reach new heights and mix comfort with refined elegance. Fendi blurred the lines between casual and sporty with relaxed silhouettes paired with structured crossbody messenger bags while A-Cold-Wall* used layers and splashes of colour to lift up technical-inspired pieces.

The slide sandal

Dries Van Noten Spring/Summer 2022. Photo credit: Catwalk Pictures.

When it comes to footwear, the slip-on - or slide sandal - will be the design of choice for Spring/Summer 2022. They’re easy to wear and offer a casual take on even the most elevated looks, making them essentials to reach for in the warmer months. Dries Van Noten finished off his silhouettes with oversized padded two-strap sandals and JW Anderson chose the classic swimming pool slide to upgrade it with the brand’s colourful moniker. At Dior and Fendi, they came with furry straps for an even cosier look.

Oversized proportions

Wooyoungmi Spring/Summer 2022. Photo credit: Courtesy of Wooyoungmi.

Jackets, shirts, trousers and shorts alike will come in oversized cuts next summer. They’ll both offset skinny-fit pieces and complement exaggerated and bulky proportions. At Lanvin, shorts were cut in an extra-long hem whereas Giorgio Armani presented a loose knee-length option. We’ve seen a breezy maxi shirt at Dior in a monochromatic black and white colour scheme and a pinstripe button-down hitting at the thighs at Dries Van Noten.