The Luxury Report: Where to Spend Your Shopping Money This Season

In general, we’re all about
scoring the best fashion finds on a budget, but sometimes we
(and our readers) want to splurge on something ultra luxe. Of
course, when we do, our hope is that our purchase turns out to be
less of a temporary fling and more of an investment—something
that is trending but still on the rise, better than options we
could have bought for under $100, and from a brand that has some
staying power for future seasons. If you’re left wondering how in
the world you’re supposed to ensure all of that, stick with me
because my aim is to help.

By combining insights from savvy Who What Wear readers’ actual
luxury purchases and product clicks, on-site search for top-tier
brands, and intel on what labels our 3.2 million-plus Instagram
followers are giving the most love to when we post, I’ve narrowed
in on not only the buzziest brands of the moment but the types of
items worth spending on, too. So whether you have a
major fall trend on your mind or you’re looking to up
your basics game, the below breakdown can be your guiding
light. Just keep scrolling to get started.

Of
the many, many high-end brands in the fashion space, these are the
stars that are undeniably burning brightest right now. From
established houses such as Chanel and Gucci to (relatively)
newer names like The Row and Jacquemus, these labels have been
spotted all over the street style scene and are dominating our
on-site search and topping Who What Wear readers’ luxury product
clicks and purchases. This tells us that they’re investment-worthy
for not only the season ahead but the long haul.

Not
surprisingly, Chanel is this season (and most seasons’) MVP,
topping Who What Wear readers’ luxury product clicks at number one,
ranking high in on-site search while rising year over year and
starring in many of our highest-engaged Instagrams. Pictured:
Chanel Waist Bag ($5000)

Loewe,
a personal longtime favorite of mine, can also claim a top spot
this season thanks to its rising search presence relative to other
established luxury brands and high quantity of product clicks.
Pictured: Loewe Gate Mini Textured-Leather Shoulder Bag
($1350)

This
should come as no surprise, as Gucci’s re-rise to stardom since
Alessandro Michele’s 2015 appointment as creative director was one
of the most noteworthy fashion comebacks of the decade. However,
here’s a fun fact for you: @whowhatwear’s top-engaged post of the
entire year was thanks to the brand’s dressing of Harry Styles for
the Met Gala back in May. Pictured: Gucci Resin Double G Brooch
($470) and Zumi Mini Bucket Bag ($1150)

Since the
reintroduction of Fendi’s iconic Baguette bag earlier this year,
we’ve not only seen the brand’s street style and Instagram presence
skyrocket, but its search volume and product clicks relative to
other luxury brands on-site have followed suit and increased
accordingly as well. Pictured: Fendi bagSimilar
style: Fendi Baguette Large ($3290)

I
probably don’t need to tell you about “new Bottegas” literal
explosion over the last six months, but to put the brand’s rapid
rise in popularity since Daniel Lee’s appointment as creative
director in to perspective, it ranked second in year-to-date
luxury product clicks on our entire site (topped only by Chanel),
and its on-site search also experienced the second-highest
increase of a top-tier brand since the start of 2019. Pictured:
Bottega Veneta Embellished Leather-Trimmed Mesh Pumps ($890)

Following
Chanel and Bottega Veneta, the third highest-clicked luxury brand
on our site was none other than Prada, and it’s clear why. The
reissuing of its iconic nylon accessories and RTW along with
consistently trend-forward runways and collections makes the brand
among our readers’ (and editors’) top choices.
Pictured: Prada Zip-Detailed Nylon Skirt ($1560)

While
her eponymous label was only launched in 2014, London-based Rejina
Pyo has already become a favorite with luxury buyers and shoppers.
Thanks in part to the brand’s presence on all our favorite
e-tailers including Shopbop and Net-a-Porter, it’s among the
top-clicked on our site and ranks third in search increase since
the beginning of the year. Pictured: Rejina Pyo Ira Draped
Silk-Satin Blouse ($595)

Much
like my own interest in the brand, Nanushka’s stature continues to
rise steadily. Quantifiably, the label ranks high in luxury product
clicks and search volume increase, but all it really takes to know
that its pieces are a hit is to simply scroll through your
Instagram feed (or Who What Wear) and see what influencers,
editors, and celebrities are wearing. Pictured: Nanushka Amas
Vegan Leather Wrap Skirt ($395)

Since
launching in 2006, The Row has quietly gone from
insider secret to celebrity favorite in recent years thanks
to its elevated (and high-quality) essentials and wildly
successful accessories including its Coco mules, Bare leather
sandals, Ascot bag, and Double-Circle bag. In terms of our
audience, the numbers show that The Row is also among the top
clicked and most increased in search. Pictured: The Row Double
Circle Small Satin Bag ($1790)

It’s
easy to instantly spot Jacquemus’s many mini bags all over
Instagram and street style, but a trained eye can tell you that
even the brand’s less-identifiable ready-to-wear items have also
taken over the fashion scene. In line with that observation, we’ve
seen its products garner massive engagement on our Instagram, and
its on-site search has continued to increase period over period.
While Jacquemus didn’t rank for product clicks, my guess is that
it’s because its biggest hits sell out before anyone can even
promote them. Pictured: Jacquemus Thika Leopard-Print Cotton-Blend
Midi Skirt ($1325)

Never
heard of Paris Texas? Now would be the time to bookmark the
brand because from everything I can see, it’s on the up-and-up.
Plus, what better time of year to invest in a luxe and on-trend
pair of mock-croc or snake-effect of boots than right at the start
of fall? Pictured: Paris Texas Metallic Croco High Boot
($865)

After
gaining Rihanna’s stamp of approval (in addition to countless
other celebrities and influencers), it’s obvious why Amina Muaddi’s
photogenic and forward shoes are a hit among our Instagram
followers and on-site shoppers. Still, it’s always impressive to
see such a young brand make such a major splash in the space.
Pictured: Amina Muaddi Begum slingback pumps Similar
style: Amina Muaddi Gilda Crystal-Embellished Satin Mules
($945)

Another
steady favorite of mine? Alexander Wang, of course—and I’m not
the only one. With on-site search trending upward and a recent
Bulgari handbag collaboration cementing Wang’s icon status, we had
to close out our buzzy brand list with the influential designer.
Pictured: Alexander Wang Nova Studded Sandal ($695)

What
exactly are Who What Wear readers spending top dollar on from the
aforementioned brands? The above data-informed list tells you all
you need to know. Noticeably (and understandably) absent are a
handful of pieces that are easier to find expensive-looking
affordable options for. Think basics such as tees and tanks, jeans,
sunglasses, sneakers, and athletic-wear. Naturally, the items
that did make the list ended up being very in line with what
we’ve already talked about in previous articles. For example, our
editor Allyson Payer recently explained why she avoids buying
embellished shoes unless they are high-end. Sometime before that,
my own mom broke down why animal-print pieces are always worthy of
investing in. Ahead, shop my pick for each splurge-worthy
category.

Out
of the approximately 500 photos posted to Who What Wear’s
Instagram account over the last six months, the below snaps ranked
among the highest in engagement when compared to other posts that
included or focused on luxury brands. Given the role social media
and Instagram appeal play in a brand’s success these days, the
approval of our 3.2 million followers helps further
corroborate these brands’ status as some of the top labels of
the year to date and season ahead.