12 Designer It Items All the Cool Fashion People Are Wearing Right Now

The Luxury List is a monthly column on all things luxury, exploring cult items from heritage brands, tapping the foremost experts in the fashion space, and doing deep dives into the investments pieces that are worth it.

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Hot off the heels of fashion month, we have a fresh set of looks spotted on the best dressed celebs and insiders that are shaping cool style right now. Naturally, everyone brought their A-game to the front rows and street style scene, dressed in the buzziest buys of the moment and their interpretations of the latest trends. Cool It items quickly rose to cult status, and there is a set of must-know pieces that everyone is trying to get their hands on.

I'm here to get into the investment-worthy designer buys to know. Included on this short list are the bags and shoes that are nearly impossible to track down and the most talked-about looks in recent memory, from Hailey Bieber in Tiffany & Co.'s showstopping diamond-embellished lock bracelet to Zendaya in Valentino's major Toile Iconographe print to Kaia Gerber in Celine's padded leather Matelassé bag. Ahead are the biggest designer It items to know right now.

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Miu Miu's satin ballet flats are easily one of the most viral designer pieces of the season, and they were snapped up by editors and insiders the moment they dropped. They helped kick off the balletcore trend that picked up a lot of steam this year, but you can also rest assured that they are a sound purchase because we're seeing ballet shoes continue to be one of the biggest footwear trends from the spring/summer 2023 collections.

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(Image credit: Getty Images/Dominique Charriau; Getty Images/Jacopo Raule)

Valentino's new Toile Iconographe printed pieces are major. A '70s-inspired pattern with an interlocking monogram "V" pattern that was released at the Valentino Unboxing show, the new drop covers everything from hats and belts to the head-to-toe looks spotted recently on Zendaya and Nicola Peltz. While all of the pieces are stunning, I'm specifically placing bets on the printed tights, which I already predict will be one of the most in-demand items on the holiday-party circuit.

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(Image credit: @erinoffduty@sophiaroe)

While Khaite's Western-inspired Dallas boots aren't new this season, they're in their moment and carving themselves out as new classic designer shoes. A modern take on cowboy boots, they're finished with a sleek, tapered toe, topstitching details, curved heels, and materials ranging from glossy leather to soft suede. If you're looking for the ultimate ankle boots to pair with jeans, these are them.

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(Image credit: @haileybieber@christietyler)

With iconic pieces such as the padlock bracelet and key ring, the lock motif is a defining symbol in the history of Tiffany and Co. In one of the buzziest jewelry launches recently, the house debuted its new Lock bracelets earlier this year. The bracelet functions like a padlock but is set in different iterations of fine metals and hand-set diamonds. Celebs such as Hailey Bieber, Sofia Richie, and Florence Pugh are among the A-listers spotted wearing the modern bangle.

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(Image credit: @camillecharriere@palomija)

When Vogue revealed the most-viewed spring/summer 2023 runway collections of the season, Nensi Dojaka took the number one spot out of all of the designer shows, so it isn't surprising to see that the rising brand's pieces are in major demand. The key item to buy? Its signature dresses designed with floss straps, sheer panels, and cutouts.

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(Image credit: @sophiaroe@christietyler)

Timepieces are gaining momentum as investment purchases in the luxury space, and Chanel's Première Edition Originale watch is the piece to have on your radar right now—a reissue of a design that originally debuted in 1987. The reimagined version has an octagonal face and leather-and-chain strap, making it a piece that feels like a hybrid of a bracelet and a timepiece.

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(Image credit: @aimeesong@thefashionguitar)

Recently, I've had so many friends asking for tote-bag recommendations. Perhaps it's because so many people are heading back to the office, but the designer style I'm recommending is the Polo Ralph Lauren ID bag. A cool yet classic take on the hobo bag, the tote is the ultimate piece to carry to the office or wear with an off-duty look on the weekend.

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(Image credit: @iliridakrasniqi@deborabrosa)

Rosettes are one of the micro-trends our editors can't stop talking about from the spring/summer 2023 runway collections. If you want to get an early start wearing flower-embellished pieces, head over to Magda Butrym, a brand that masters floral pieces that are the perfect blend of pretty and sexy. With the rosette trend primed to take over in 2023, the designs are more in demand than ever.

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(Image credit: @kaiagerber@iliridakrasniqi)

Again and again, Celine introduces bags that become go-to styles for fashion people looking for cool, low-key, and timeless pieces. Such is the case with the new Matelassé bag—a padded-leather shoulder bag finished with a chain strap and brand name written on the side in graphic gold lettering.

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(Image credit: @tylynnnguyen@clairerose)

Many of the cult items I've discussed are new this year or this season, but I need to highlight a classic piece that has surged in popularity recently: Cartier Tank watches. Though they are timeless investment pieces that have been around for over 100 years, they are suddenly a key buy among fashion people right now. With a rising interest in investing in luxury pieces that hold their value, it's easy to see why these iconic watches are in huge demand.

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(Image credit: Getty Images/Gotham; Getty Images/Daniel Zuchnik)

Bottega Veneta Creative Director Matthieu Blazy is infusing fresh ideas into the brand. With the new direction the brand is taking, there are plenty of cool cult buys to have on your radar, but it's the Drop Earrings that are topping everyone's must-buy list. They're selling out everywhere, so add yourself to the restock list if you aren't able to order them right away.

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(Image credit: @yoyokulala)

This year, we've seen "pretty things" emerge as one of the biggest trends, including anything covered with bows, all things pastel, and sweet details like florets. A micro-trend within the category? Hearts. While we're seeing the shape across the board, Alaïa has the coolest buy of the season with its Le Coeur bag that every fashion person is wearing right now.

Next: 9 Major Shoe Trends That Will Be Everywhere This Spring

Associate Director, Special Projects

Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.