I Spot Micro-Trends Like It's My Job—Here Are 5 About to Blow Up

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(Image credit: SZYMON BRZÓSKA/THE STYLE STALKER)

Welcome to Micro-Trends. In this series, I'm zeroing in on the hyper-specific iterations of what's trending at large, and I've become somewhat of an expert at spotting them. (Okay, it's basically a pastime of mine at this point.) Once you discover this month's micro-trends, consider yourself an insider.

Here at Who What Wear, we focus a lot of our energy on the biggest trends of the season and while we'll never stop covering the heavy-hitters, there are several micro-trends worthy of honorary mentions. While these aren't causing major style moves yet, we firmly believe that it's only a matter of time until they graduate from micro to macro or, in other words, from niche to mainstream.

After hours of online shopping (all in the name of research!), I'm sharing the micro-trends on my radar at the moment. I've spotted these pieces on the feeds of the most influential women I know and stocked at several key retailers, which tells me that each of them is on the brink of becoming huge. From the color trend that's rivaling all your other neutrals to the new way insiders are styling their knee boots right now, keep reading to see and shop the five micro-trends of the moment.

1. Chocolate Brown

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(Image credit: @piabaroncini)

Don't be intimidated by chocolate brown—it's not as tricky to style as it seems. Think of this rich hue as a fresh alternative to the other neutrals you might reach for like black or beige.

2. Spliced Fabrics

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(Image credit: @alyssainthecity)

Why choose one color, print, or fabric when you can have both? If you're as indecisive as I am, then this micro-trend goes out to you. It's all about pieces that look like they've been spliced into two and re-sewn back together to create a color-blocking effect. 

3. Woven Leather

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(Image credit: @mcristinastyling)

Ready for the next luxurious-looking trend you can snap up at any budget? Enter woven or braided leather. Popularized by Bottega Veneta's iconic intrecciato texture, this braided effect is no longer exclusive to the Italian house—we're seeing similar takes for as little as $150 in the case of this lovely & Other Stories bag below.

4. Long Shorts With Knee Boots

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(Image credit: SZYMON BRZÓSKA/THE STYLE STALKER)

Fact: Knee-high boots are the most important shoe trend of the season. With styling ideas to be found all over the place, there's no shortage of ways to wear them, yet fashion insiders have beeing styling them with knee-length Bermuda shorts so that only their knees are peeking out between their shorts and boots. It's a quirky styling idea to be sure, but one that feels quite innovative. 

5. Back Details

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(Image credit: @discodaydream)

Open-back and backless tops are the micro-trend we didn't see coming, yet designers from Peter Do to Reformation are taking a decidedly tasteful approach to baring skin via subtle cutouts and elegant draping—and we have to say, we're here for it. (We might just want to invest in a sticky bra first, though.)

Next up: Discover the 5 It pieces of the month.

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.