The 8 Trends That Earned Me the Most Compliments in 2019

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(Image credit: @anna__laplaca)

I basically spot trends for a living, and believe me when I say it's both a blessing and a curse. Since I'm constantly reporting on the latest trends I'm seeing, I'm acutely aware of the holes in my own closet and 10 times more likely to jump at the opportunity to test-drive a new look. As we round out the year, I got to thinking about all the various trends I tried, and among them, there is a handful that consistently earns the most interest from friends, strangers, and Instagram followers alike.

Below, you'll find the 2019 fashion trends that have consistently earned me loads of compliments and a flurry of "where did you get that?" inquiries each time I wear them or post about them to my social media. The fashion world has crowned these as veritable trends, but I can attest that they are crowd-pleasers IRL, too. From the animal prints that garner the most attention to the classic boots that are having a moment, see how I'm wearing each one and, if you're so inspired, add them to your cart, too.

Snakeskin Print

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(Image credit: @anna__laplaca)

Snakeskin print has a tendency to look ultra cool no matter what kind of item it's plastered on. Be it a jacket like the one I'm wearing above, a pair of boots, or a handbag, the print makes anything more interesting—and compliment-worthy.

Structured Bags

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(Image credit: @anna__laplaca)

I've taken to carrying structured bags since they quickly add a dose of polish to any of my ensembles. The sleek look is an eye-catching one, so it's no surprise they tend to earn a kind word or two.

Leather

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(Image credit: @anna__laplaca)

Leather and its faux look-alikes aren't the most eye-grabbing textures (I'd say they're more classic than anything), but leather-coated pieces that aren't typically found in the material, such as trench coats and button-down shirts, are cool in an unexpected way and tend to earn me compliments whenever I wear them.

Feather Trim

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(Image credit: @anna__laplaca)

It's hard not to smile when you're wearing something whimsical like feather trim, and I'm sure that others pick up on the elevated mood since they go out of their way to comment on these fun pieces.

Puff Sleeves

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(Image credit: @anna__laplaca)

Romantic puff sleeves make any outfit, even the simplest ones, feel more special, so it should come as no surprise that my puff-sleeved pieces were some of the most commented-on that I wore all year.

Zebra Print

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(Image credit: @anna__laplaca)

Graphic zebra print (and tiger print, too, because they're so similar) commands the attention of a room, but it's actually a lot less scary to wear than you'd think and will definitely pay off in the end when people douse you with compliments. Speaking from experience here.

Knee-High Boots

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(Image credit: @anna__laplaca)

For such a classic item like these tall boots, I was surprised to discover how many comments I received on them. It's probably because they're having a moment right now, but I think it's because they take an outfit from good to excellent.

Lime Green

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(Image credit: @anna__laplaca)

Lime green was one of the most unexpected trends to emerge this year. Once I came around to the idea of wearing such a punchy color, I had so much fun styling it. I mean how could you not with a color this bright? The zingy lime hue was a favorite among friends and co-workers, too, as evidenced by the number of comments my green pieces got.

Next up: the world's prettiest shoe trends.

Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.