Jelly Shoes, Cargo Pants & More: Style Trends From the Most Fashion-Forward States

Fashion is one of the greatest forms of self-expression. It allows you to bring your individuality to life in a way that’s authentically “you.” Your personal style lets you decide how you want to be seen. It can make a powerful statement about who you are, what you believe in, and—most of all—how you feel about yourself. The perfect outfit can leave you feeling more confident, empowered, and in tune with your inner self. 

When it comes to fashion, there are a few places in the U.S. that have truly mastered the art of self-expression. These stylish states are constantly ahead of the curve, and always ready to try the newest trends—like jelly shoes, cargo pants, and Y2K fashion. Keep reading to discover our list of the top five fashion-obsessed states, along with the most popular style trends you don’t want to miss out on.

The Most Fashion-Forward American Hotspots

So, which states are leading the fashion industry in 2023? To find out, we examined relevant Google trends, along with the search volume of 636 fashion and footwear trends across all 50 U.S. states. Next, we ranked the popularity of each trend and state, and assigned a score to each one (with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest) based on data from the past 12 months. Ahead, are the five states that came out on top.

1. California

Our research found California to be the most stylish state in the USA, with a total score of 9.17. With its gorgeous weather, star-studded streets, and emphasis on artistic expression, Californians take their personal style seriously. This state showed the most interest in fashion trends across the board. It took the top spot for the most searches around hot trends like cargo pants, corsets, Y2K fashion, parachute pants, and cottagecore. California also had the highest search levels for footwear essentials like black boots and white sneakers, along with kitten heels and jelly shoes.

2. New York

The state of New York is the second most fashionable state in the U.S., according to our research, with a score of 7.29. Often viewed as the fashion capital of the USA, New York is home to top designers, fashion schools, and annual fashion shows. And just like Californians, New Yorkers are passionate about flaunting the latest trends in unique ways. We found the top three trends in New York to be: cargo pants, cowboy boots, and blue heels. New York also followed closely behind California when searching for classic footwear, like black boots and white sneakers, along with knee-high boots and gold heels. New York also wasn’t afraid to try the latest colorful footwear trends, searching for “pink sneakers” more than any other state. 

3. Texas

Just behind New York in third place is the Lone Star State, with an overall score of 7.2. When it comes to Texas and fashion, this state loves to embrace the latest shoe trends. Texas had the highest number of searches for “blue boots” out of any other state. Texans were also, unsurprisingly, interested in cowboy boots, as well as jelly shoes. But don’t take this to mean Texas is falling behind on the clothing game. The state of Texas was also at the top of our list for some of the latest clothing trends, like cargo pants and flannel shirts.

4. Florida

With a total score of 6.11, the state of Florida takes fourth place on our list. Our research found the top three fashion trends in Florida to be cargo pants, blue heels, and cowboy boots. Florida tied with California when it came to searches around the “silver sneaker” trend. But Florida also has its own unique way of expressing its favorite styles. Fashionistas in Florida were especially interested in clear heels, one of the hottest summer shoe trends. The state of Florida also showed extra love for fashion-forward trends like “red heels,” “low-rise jeans,” and “Y2K fashion.”

5. Georgia

Last but not least, we have Georgia in fifth place, with a final score of 4.44. Fashion lovers in Georgia searched for a variety of the latest styles and trends, with the top three searches being centered around corsets, cowboy boots, and blue heels. The state of Georgia was also on top of trends like flared pants, black boots, track shoes, and grunge styles.

Which States Were the Most Curious About Fashion?

Curiosity is a big part of discovering what fashion means to you. That’s why we’ve also compiled some of the most “fashion curious” states in the USA. Although these states weren’t always searching for the latest trends, they showed an overall interest in fashion. The top contenders in this category, based on their level of curiosity, included:

• Vermont
• Wyoming
• Delaware
• Rhode Island
• Alaska

The Most Popular Fashion Trends

No matter which state you live in, there are some trends that are popular across the board right now. Below, we’re sharing some of the most shoppable clothing and shoe trends that people in all states are loving in 2023.

The most popular clothing trends & fashion styles

When it comes to clothing trends and fashion styles, there were a few clear-cut winners. According to our research, America’s most popular fashion trends over the past 12 months were: cargo pants, corsets, parachute pants, low-rise jeans, and flannel shirts.

We also uncovered a handful of fashion styles that people are most interested in replicating. America’s top five most loved fashion styles were: Y2K fashion, cottagecore, grunge, motocross, and punk. Here’s a bit more about each one below.

• Y2K fashion: This style is all about replicating nostalgic looks from late ‘90s to early ‘00s pop culture. Think baby tees, double denim, bright colors, and metallics.
• Cottagecore: Sometimes known as “farmcore” or “country core,” this style is inspired by nature. It’s defined by loose, free-flowing styles with floral prints and fabrics like ruffle and lace.
• Grunge: Grunge is characterized by loose-fitting, androgynous clothing. This often includes chunky boots, skater shoes, graphic tees, and oversized plaid shirts.
• Motocross: This edgy, biker-inspired style is all about leather, especially an oversized leather jacket and motorcycle boots.
• Punk: Punk style is inspired by rebellion and counterculture. This can mean leather jackets, spiky studs, bulky clothing, and bright, colorful hair.

The most popular shoe trends & styles

Our research found the hottest footwear trends in the U.S. to be cowboy boots, knee-high boots, kitten heels (short stiletto heels), track shoes, ballet flats, and jelly shoes. And if you’re looking for fashionable ways to style these trends, you might want to try one of these top footwear styling obsessions: blue heels, black boots, red heels, white boots, and black heels.

Blue heels & cowboy boots

For fashionistas who are extra-trendy, try throwing on a pair of bold blue heels or cowboy boots. These two shoe trends were seen across runways this year and have made their way to the street style scene. They were also the most highly-searched trends out of all the styles on our list. 

Jelly shoes

The jelly shoes footwear obsession goes perfectly with any of your Y2K-inspired looks (another top trend). You can choose between so many vibrant colors and styles, like jelly sandals, jelly heels, or jelly boots. These nostalgic shoes come in varieties for all ages and all seasons, and are now available with more sustainable options than their late ‘90s counterparts. Plus, our research found jelly shoes to be the sixth most popular footwear trend across the nation.

Which Fashion Trend Should I Try This Summer?

Fashion doesn’t just differ by state, it’s totally individual. So, while the above fashion trends may be popular, it’s up to you to decide how they fit into your unique style. At the end of the day, it’s all about taking these trends and making them your own. One easy way to embrace your individual style is with trendy footwear that makes a statement about who you are. Take jelly shoes, for example. This footwear style is universally flattering, on-trend, and easy to incorporate into your wardrobe. 

Learn more about jelly shoes and find a pair that fits your unique style by heading to Melissa Shoes, the leading designer for jelly shoes, as well as other fun-loving, sustainable women’s shoes.