1stDibs is leaning into nostalgia and heritage as its 2025 Luxury ecommerce Trend Report reveals that Y2K dressing, Cowboy Core, and classical glamour are driving how luxury shoppers spend across fashion, jewelry, art, furniture, and handbags. From “Prada heels 2009” topping shoe searches to a Hermès Kelly 25, the data shows that collectors want icons with history, storytelling, and resale value baked in.
Y2K fashion and early 2000s icons surge
For 2025, Y2K and early‑2000s style rank among the most powerful fashion forces on 1stDibs, led by searches tied to Sex and the City and its sequel series, and Just Like That. “Sex and the City clothing” became the top fashion search in Q2, while terms like “Roberto Cavalli dress”, “Christian Dior 2003 fashion”, and “Prada heels 2009” all ranked as breakout queries, with “Prada heels 2009” spiking by 145% and becoming the number one shoe search.
The Y2K mood is unapologetically maximalist, spilling into interiors, where “leopard couch” entered the top 40 seating searches and snake themed jewelry and watches ranked consistently high in favorites. Anthony Barzilay Freund, Editorial Director and Director of Fine Art at 1stDibs, said, “Twenty five years into the new millennium, design lovers are showing nostalgia for creations dating back to the beginning of the 21st century, as evinced by the resurging popularity of Y2K fashion,” clearly reflected in the renewed appetite for Y2K silhouettes, logos, and statement prints.
Heritage glamour and Art Deco revival
Beyond Y2K, 2025 shoppers are again gravitating toward early and mid 20th century glamour, particularly Art Nouveau and Art Deco design. Searches for “Art Nouveau” climbed by 41% in Q3, while “Art deco chandelier” landed in the top 30 lighting search terms, with overall Art Deco chandelier searches jumping 99% in Q1.
Pablo Picasso emerged as 1stDibs’ top‑selling artist of 2025, with orders rising by 54% year over year, and a signed Albert Cheuret “Hérons” chandelier from circa 1925 achieved one of the standout Art Deco sales at $65,323. Modern brands that channel heritage, such as Ralph Lauren, also saw strong search demand, especially for “Ralph Lauren furniture,” confirming that shoppers want contemporary pieces anchored in classic storytelling and craft.
Cowboy Core Western aesthetics and Indigenous craft
“Cowboy Core” and Americana inflected design took off in 2025, mirroring mainstream cultural moments like Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tour and a broader revival of Western style. On 1stDibs, “cowboy boots” ranked within the top 40 shoe searches, while interest in Dior vintage saddle bags surged by 104% in Q1, and “horse painting” became the fifth most popular painting search term, with Remington bronze sculptures entering the top 10 for sculpture.
Indigenous craftsmanship also gained momentum: searches for “Navajo rugs” increased by 39% in Q1 and 32% in Q3, and turquoise jewelry searches climbed 45% in Q3, reflecting deeper interest in turquoise forward and squash blossom pieces. Together, these patterns show a move toward Western and Indigenous aesthetics that feel rooted, tactile, and collectible, rather than purely trend driven.
Heirloom bridal diamonds and celebrity influence
Bridal remained a core growth engine on 1stDibs in 2025, with “wedding gown dresses” ranking as the most searched clothing term and the second most searched term overall. Heritage fashion houses, including Dior, Valentino, and Ralph Lauren, all placed in the top‑10 searches, while a 1950s Tiffany & Co. Emerald Cut 10‑Carat Diamond Ring sold for $526,000, ranking as the third most expensive jewelry sale.
Celebrity weddings and red‑carpet reveals had an outsized impact on search spikes: queries for “Vivienne Westwood dress” jumped 80% after Charli XCX’s wedding, while “Ralph Lauren wedding dress” rocketed 609% following Selena Gomez’s nuptials. “East west ring” searches soared 98% after Zendaya’s Golden Globes look, and Taylor Swift’s engagement ring reveal drove a 27% spike in “old mine cut” ring searches, underlining just how closely luxury shoppers track pop culture.
Watches, handbags, and jewelry as investment pieces
Legacy houses dominated watches and jewelry in 2025, with Tiffany & Co., Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels leading jewelry sales volume on 1stDibs. Orders at Tiffany & Co. increased by 4%, while David Yurman moved into fourth place with a 13% rise in orders, and citrine stones grew 37% year over year.
In watches, Rolex retained its position as top‑selling brand, and Audemars Piguet recorded 56% order growth tied to its 150th anniversary year, with searches for “Audemars Piguet ladies watch” jumping 71% after Rihanna’s Instagram birth announcement featuring her Royal Oak. Meanwhile, “Birkinmania” defined handbags: Hermès bags occupied the top 5 most viewed spots on the platform, and the priciest handbag sale was a Hermès Kelly 25 listed at $88,990, while Louis Vuitton ended the year as the third best selling handbag brand and Versace handbag orders rose 12%.
