Pantygate, Thee Accessory of the Season

"She's showing her panties," raps Ice Spice in her hit song Deli. And it seems everyone is! Even more so, the true fashionistas are showing nothing but panties, which are as sophisticated as possible.

How'd it come to be that the season's most popular accessory isn't an accessory?

Anyone who's watched The Devil Wears Prada remembers the iconic scene about the Cerulean sweater. As Miranda Priestly states, any fashion trend, however simple it may seem, is always set up by the people at the top of the chain. The same principle counts here.

Miu Miu's moves

Lyst's #1 brand of the year has been shaping girly core fashion for the past few years.

Remember back in 2021 when that cropped two-piece went viral? Now cropped pieces have become a staple to the fast-fashion retailer, well here we go again.

As fashion has become more fluid in the last few years, the acceptance of different body types has been felt and reflected by showing skin. At the same time, 2023 is the year "old-money style" completely took over. In my opinion, Miu Miu perfectly balances those. Combining classic silhouettes and fabrics with modern-day staples, they create the entire dimension: Miu Miu. A collection filled with bedazzled, colorful, embroidered, and sequinned panties seems just about right for the brand. Miu Miu also profits from being so closely linked with Prada. Walking into some Prada stores, it almost serves as a diffusion line. The single rack of Miu Miu pieces has always cracked me up.

The designer plays a big part in creating a trend, but good marketing keeps the fashion industry on its feet. Miu Miu is incredible at appealing to its target audience. Instead of solely focusing on customer achievement, such as other conglomerates do, they focus as much on customer retention, if not more. Shortly, Miu Miu is moving like a Queen in the game of chess that is fashion. However, a game is rarely played solo.

A piece of the pie

Ferragamo is yet another high-fashion brand receiving impeccable reviews for their latest collections. And as you can see, they play well. And when a game is played fast-fashion retailers will be the first to show their hand. With retailers like Zara and Mango making it accessible to the general public, the trend is set.

What's interesting to me is that while enticing the beholder, it leaves something to the imagination. It's sexy yet also sophisticated. It's daring but safe. Some people love it, some hate it.

And that's when you know you've done well.