2017 Fashion Trends: The 50 Most Surprising Looks of the Year
Sometimes there are those fashion moments that have you scratching your head, thinking no one will ever hop on the bizarre look and actually turn it into a trend. And then it happens: You blink and all of a sudden, every celebrity and friend alike is rocking the parody of a wardrobe staple. 2017 has brought with it some of the most surprising trends we’ve seen in forever, so it’s high time that we round them all up. From jeans that snap off to turn into shorts to all-in-one legging shoes; from sweatshirts so cropped they’re basically just sleeves to the high-fashion return of Crocs, we've truly seen it all this year. Here are the 50 most surprising trends of 2017. Would you wear them? You decide.
Instagram.com/@kyliejenner1/51Ultra-Cropped Sweatshirt
Sure, the hem of our shirts have been steadily rising over the past few years, going from tunics to hip-length, up towards our waist, and then some. But no one could have predicted the extreme crop top (that’s basically just sleeves), worn by Kylie Jenner.
Courtesy of Reformation2/51Zipper Jeans
Zipper jeans are the answer to all of your denim dressing woes. From Vetements to Reformation, there’s one for every price point.
Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images3/51Crocs
As head-scratching fashion trends go, Crocs definitely top the list. But, instead of shying away from the colorful and bulbous shoes, designers like Demna Gvasalia of Balenciaga and Christopher Kane actually created their own runway styles.
Instagram.com/@milliebobbybrown4/51Clear-Knee Jeans
For the girl who wants to show off her knees while covering her legs, this trend is for you. First debuted at ASOS, the style that was at first questionable surprisingly took hold, showing up on celebrities such as the uber-stylish Millie Bobby Brown.
Courtesy of Topshop5/51Totally Clear Jeans
Topshop one-upped ASOS's clear-knee jeans by creating a pair made entirely of see-through plastic.
Courtesy of Chloé6/51Furry Sandals
Winter and fur go together, like sandals and warm weather. This year, though, designers at all price points have been creating a hybrid of the two — sandals you can technically wear all year long. Confused yet?
Courtesy of Calvin Klein7/51Nipple-Showing Sweaters
When you want to join the #freethenipple movement and still keep your arms covered... This sheer nude sweater with knit sleeves — conceived by Calvin Klein — was the talk of social media.
Catwalking/Getty Images8/51Legging Shoes
After sock booties took hold, Balenciaga created a pair that were so tight, and went up so high, it was hard to categorize than as either pants or shoes alone.
Twitter.com/@cloutfashion9/51Ikea
Earlier this summer, after Balenciaga debuted their version of the iconic Ikea tote, fans of the brand and store alike were DIY-ing their own creations — from handbags to lingerie, jackets to thongs.
Courtesy of Maison Margiela10/51(Destroyed) Dad Sneakers
Designers are charging upwards of $1,000 for the same retro-looking sneaker style your Dad loves. Many pairs, like one from Maison Margiela, are even designed to actually look as though they’re destroyed.
Instagram.com/@thekylieshop11/51Tracksuits
In a post-2000s world, who could have ever thought that we would be going back to the athleisure look we so vehemently left behind. Paired with everything from sneakers to three-inch stilettos, the tracksuit is back — and more ubiquitous than ever.
Courtesy of Beloved12/51Chest-Hair Swimsuit
File under: ???. Enough said.
Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic13/51Underboob
While some choose to free the nipple in sheer tops, others kept the nipple under wraps, choosing instead to show off nearly the entire rest of their breast instead.
Christian Vierig/Getty Images14/51Sock Booties
In one of the most questionably genius one-and-done ideas of the season, designers have come out in droves with sock booties in all shapes and colors. Why wear socks and heels when you can wear a pair that’s an amalgamation of both?
Marc Piasecki15/51Newsboy Hats
From Bella Hadid to Kendall Jenner to Kaia Gerber, models are all about the newsboy caps this year. What’s more, they range in color and texture for versatility's sake.
Marc Piasecki/GC Images16/51Exposed Tights
Take it from Kendall Jenner, what's the sense in hiding the fact that you’re wearing tights? Instead, show them off, below and above your waistline.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images17/51Rainbow Red Carpet Dresses
In a world that tends to dress in deep black and navy classics, it was nice to see red carpet gowns that boasted a rainbow of hues this year.
Robert Kamau/GC Images18/51Detachable Jeans
They’re like your dad’s zip-off cargo pants — but cooler? Fashionistas are paying quite a premium for this two-in-one creation that will take you through all four seasons.
Getty Images19/51Phone Case Bags
As we’ve steadily moved from the Mary Poppins hold-everything totes to smaller silhouettes, we’ve reached pique miniature with the bag that quite literally holds nothing more than a cellphone.
Josiah Kamau/BuzzFoto via Getty Images20/51Crossbody Fanny Packs
Celebrities have decided that they’re going to re-claim the fanny pack of the 1980s and make it cool again by — wait for it — wearing it like a crossbody bag that barely falls lower than the armpit.
Thaddaeus McAdams/WireImage21/51Belt Bags
And while we’re on the topic of fanny packs, they’ve gotten more tailored and are now coming back with fervor around the waist of stylish girls all over the world, looped through pants like a traditional belt.
Courtesy of PRPS22/51Mud Jeans
PRPS is taking the grunge trend to an entirely new level with a pair of mud-covered jeans that sent the Internet into a tailspin.
Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images23/51Extended Sleeves
Athleisure has met the statement sleeve, with designers creating hoodies and pullovers with sleeves that reached well beyond your fingertips. Impractical as this trend might be, we have to admit it’s a pretty gorgeous silhouette.
Instagram.com/@iamjhud24/51Shoulder Pads
The ‘80s are alive and well, if the resurgence of shoulder pads have anything to say for it. While many revamped 2017 trends skewed towards the minimal, this one definitely goes big or goes home.
Courtesy of Teva x Ugg25/51Teva x Uggs
Two of the most controversial brands in terms of the pretty/ugly debate — Teva and Ugg Australia — collaborated to create a selection of shearling sandals that have us either running to the store or scratching our heads.
Instagram/@KylieJenner26/51Corsets
Women fought long and hard to not have to wear corsets, so it’s questionable why we’re now reverting back to the constrictive top. That said, they do look pretty awesome layered over a T-shirt.
27/51Bike Shorts
Kim Kardashian debuted bike shorts with oversized tees, Naomi Campbell walked the runway in bike shorts and a blazer. No matter which way you style, bike shorts are definitely coming back with renewed fervor.
Instagram.com/@kendalljenner28/51Pant Boots
The most impractical boots of the year were also the most popular. Whether you layered it over jeans like Kendall or with shorts like Rihanna, you couldn't help but turn heads.
Courtesy of Yeezy29/51Clear Boots
When you want to cover your entire leg with a thigh-high boot, but want to show off your killer legs at the same time...
Courtesy of RompHim30/51Mens Romper
We’re all for gender-bending style, and this look was a favorite of ours — though the rest of the Internet didn't necessarily agree. Earlier this summer, mens brand RompHim debuted a shorts onesie made just for the boys.
Instagram.com/@bellathorne31/51All Sheer Everything
Celebrities like Bella Thorne took the sheer trend to the extreme, often taking to social media in tops, bras and even jumpsuits that are 100% see-through.
Instagram.com/@badgalriri32/51Statement Boots
Between allover embellishment and full-on feathers, high-fashion boots have taken over the fashion scene this year (mostly via Rihanna, first and foremost) and we can’t look away.
Mehdi Taamallah/NurPhoto via Getty Images33/51Head-to-Toe Color
Much like the rainbow red carpet dress, fashion-lovers have really jumped head-first into color this year, often wearing the same hue head-to-toe.
Instagram.com/@ryandestiny34/51Half Jeans
When you’re too hot to wear full-length jeans, but don’t want to be predictable and go for shorts, look to actress Ryan Destiny and others, who have chosen to rock a pair of half-jeans that boast only one leg.
Getty Images35/51Shorts Over Jeans
Denim has a way of making it onto the best and the worst of fashion lists, as the fabric is more versatile than most. This year brought with it the introduction of a pair of jeans that was cut and tailored to look as though the wearer layered knee-length shorts over a pair of skinny jeans.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin36/51Underwear as Outerwear
The naked gown made quite a statement on the likes of Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez in past years, but it seems like old news in a day and age when celebrities are hitting the streets in dresses that could easily double as lingerie.
Catwalking/Getty Images37/51Exposed Underwear
No, we’re not talking about showing off that pretty lace bralette of yours. Having just hit the spring runways this season, street style stars have already begun pulling up their briefs and thongs to expose their hip bones above their trousers — a stylish nod to Aaliyah's signature look in the '90s.
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images38/51Logo Mania
After decades of moving away from the branded pieces that have now become so iconic, the logo-ridden trend is back in the market in the form of everything from leather totes to windbreaker jackets.
Christian Vierig/Getty Images39/51Socks and Heels
Borrowing from your grandmother’s closet has never looked so chic, as we’re now mixing in her vintage-looking heels with our grandfather’s argyle socks.
JB Lacroix/GC Images40/51Colorful Sunglasses
This year, we’ve — literally — been viewing the world through rose-colored glasses.
Courtesy of Gucci41/51Crazy-High Flatforms
Want to give yourself some height while saving your feet from the pain of stilettos? Look no further than the flatform: A bold shoe trend that has shown up on everything from loafers to sneakers.
Instagram.com/@kimkardashian42/51Athleisure with Stilettos
Athleisure is all about the dressed-down vibe, so it’s the ultimate head-scratcher that people have begun to pair their sweats with some of the fanciest heels in their closet.
Christian Vierig/Getty Images43/51Double-Waist Trousers
Why wear one pair of pants when you can look like you're wearing two? Designers have cut down on the bulk of actually layering two pairs of pants by creating an army of mixed-media styles that give the illusion of a layered look.
Courtesy of Zara44/51Sweaters as Scarves
You’d be surprised at how versatile the arms of your knitwear become once you start to think out of the box…
Edward James/WireImage45/51PVC Everything
In a world that loves to play with materials, PVC is showing up in every way, shape, and form this year. Whether it’s a colored mini dress, 5-pocked style pants, or clear outerwear, there’s no stopping this futuristic look.
Courtesy of Forever 2146/51Nude Leggings
You know the legging trend has gone too far when people are coming out in droves wearing styles that so closely match their skin tone that they almost look as though they’re walking around without any pants at all.
BG001/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images47/51Lampshade Dresses
And, while we’re on the topic of walking around with no pants, it seems that celebrities like Kylie Jenner, Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, and more have taken to the “lampshade” trend, wearing oversized tees, sweatshirts, and the like that come just long enough to forgo bottoms entirely.
Steve Granitz/WireImage48/51Latex Dresses
Arguably more daring than the naked dress (though they’re certainly neck-and-neck in that department), the latex dress has taken hold, looking as though the wearer has practically painted her after-hours look right on her body.
Marc Piasecki/GC Images49/51Tiny Sunglasses
This fashion trend is certainly more of an accessory statement than a practical shield-your-eyes-from-the-sun situation, as they barely cover much of your eye at all.
Courtesy of Tibi50/51Skorts
For the mini-skirt loving girl who’s afraid of a wardrobe malfunction.
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