With only three weeks left until 2022, Google has just dropped its annual Year in Search—a global report detailing the top-10 search trends across a multitude of categories. These lists are a fascinating walk down short-term-memory lane—2021 flew by in a blink of an eye!—as well as a unique bird’s-eye overview of our collective psyche. Here, we take a look at the most-searched aesthetics of 2021, the most-searched fashion and style how-tos of 2021, the most-searched sustainable products of 2021, and the most-searched celebrity duos (couples and non-couples) of 2021.
The Most-Searched Aesthetics of 2021
Nearly a quarter-century after the publication of the first Harry Potter book, the kid wizard and his cohorts still wield influence over aesthetics in the 21st century. Topping this year’s list of most-searched aesthetics—or style (translated for Gen X+)—are Indie, Dark Academia (which is inspired by classicism as well as elements of Gothic and Greek architecture), Cottagecore, and Y2K (think: Britney, the early-ish years).
- Indie
- Dark academia
- Cottagecore
- Y2K
- Sage green
- Kidcore
- Coconut girl
- Kawaii
- Harry Potter
- Slytherin
The Most-Searched Fashion and Style How-Tos of 2021
It’s no secret that Google and YouTube are the first ports of call when figuring out how to do things, and, in 2021, plenty of people in the United States hit up their Google machines to with questions about fashion and style. Some of this year’s most-searched questions are based on revival trends—such as the return of bell-bottom jeans and the perennial popularity of flannel—but there are also a couple of outliers, like: wolf haircut.
NB: In case you’re wondering, a wolf haircut is a TikTok-coined hairstyle that’s an updated mullet-shag cut with long, thick bangs and face-framing layers, all styled into tousled waves.
- How to style straight leg jeans
- How to style a wolf haircut
- How to style a corset
- How to style rings
- How to style a sweater vest
- How to style boyfriend jeans
- How to style bell bottom jeans
- How to style an oversized sweater
- How to style a bob haircut
- How to style flannel
The Most-Searched Sustainable Products of 2021
Shoppers are increasingly concerned with conscientious consumerism—and, if Google’s search trends are anything to go by, more and more people are looking to purchase fashion classics and everyday items with sustainable alternatives. From sustainable and ethical engagement rings to germ-killing hand soap, here are the top sustainability searches this year:
- Hand soap
- Leather jacket
- Denim
- Sandals
- Cleaning products
- Engagement rings
- Swimwear
- Razors
- Pens
- Activewear
The Most-Searched Celebrity Duos of 2021
Two celebrities are better than one—at least, two celebrities photographed together are probably more intriguing than a solo spotting. This year’s hottest duo searches include new couples, old couples, old-old couples, and plenty of speculation.
- Kim and Kanye
- Bill and Melinda Gates
- Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson
- Kanye and Jeffree Star
- Taylor Swift and Jake Gyllenhaal
- JLo and A-Rod
- Tom Holland and Zendaya
- Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer
- Ben Affleck and JLo
- Selena Gomez and Chris Evans
