I Study Trends for a Living—These 7 Are Guaranteed to Go Viral on Instagram

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The only thing I do more than scroll through new arrivals and study runway images is stalk Instagram in search of new trends. My saved folder is a treasure trove of ever-evolving fabrics, colours, silhouettes, and accessories, all of which are minutes away from going full-on viral. My latest curation is one of my best.

From high-shine accessories and knife-sharp footwear to 2.0 overalls and completely sheer lace, the trends ahead are fast on their way to Instagram fame. Scroll down to see how these fall fads and many more are manifesting on our feeds as we speak. And while you're at it, shop each one to bring them into the physical world.

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Thanks to brands like Balenciaga and Prada, pointed toes are quickly replacing the round- and square-toe shoe styles that have been commonplace on social for the last half a decade or so. But this year's point-toe footwear isn't just sharp—it's knife sharp, with toes so pointy they could probably cut you. 

Shop the trend:

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Last year, micro miniskirts were all we saw on Instagram—the shorter the style, the better. This time around, though, the skirts becoming ubiquitous online aren't short at all. Rather, they're more often than not floor-length and made of denim, allowing for more wearability now that the weather's cooling down. 

Shop the trend:

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Less practical but equally chic are the sheer lace dresses, tops, skirts, and jumpsuits that have been popping up everywhere online. Thanks in part to lace's popularity on the fall 2022 and spring 2023 runways, the sheer trend combines the rising grunge trend with the naked one that's been building season by season ever since lockdown. 

Shop the trend:

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No trend has risen to viral fame quicker this season than 3D flowers, which seemingly overnight attached themselves to every top, choker, dress, and pair of strappy heels on the market. Prominent on the spring runways at Blumarine, Chanel, and Prada, this is one trend that, despite its quick rise, won't be dying down anytime soon. On the contrary, expect to see it become even more ubiquitous on Instagram in the coming months. 

Shop the trend:

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I swear every swipe on my Instagram feed in the last month has been met with something silver and shiny, whether it's a pair of Prada heels or a Zara bag. And it's not just accessories. Coated jeans, leather jackets, slip dresses, and more have, too, been dipped in liquid metal this season. 

Shop the trend:

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Six months ago, I would've avoided my frumpy overalls at all costs. But after spotting one too many pairs on chic Instagram accounts, my opinion on the workwear one-pieces has done a complete 180. 

Shop the trend:

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(Image credit: @anaasaber; @bellahadid@moeblackx)

Anyone who says tights haven't always been cool is simply out of touch. That's not to say that hosiery doesn't experience the same peaks and troughs as any fashion item, especially when a chic variation starts popping up everywhere online. Such is the case with sheer knee-high socks, which offer up a cool, less constricting option for when full-on tights just aren't the vibe. 

Shop the trend:

Next up: I Always Go Back To This Skirt Trend - 6 Ways I'm Wearing It This Autumn. 

This piece originally appeared on Who What Wear U.S. and has since been updated.

Senior Fashion Editor

Eliza Huber is a New York City–based fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and celebrity style. She joined Who What Wear in 2021 after almost four years on the fashion editorial team at Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a marketing degree from the University of Iowa. She has since launched two monthly columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled the likes of Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, and Sabrina Carpenter for WWW's monthly cover features; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top trends from fashion month, season after season. Eliza now lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, running in Central Park, and scouring eBay for '90s Prada and '80s Yves Saint Laurent.