eBay reveals key brands, trends and styles defining fashion resale in 2026

The SS26 ‘Watchlist Trend Report’ from eBay is now live, offering a data-rich indicator of where demand for fashion resale stands today and what style shoppers are willing to invest in next.

The Watchlist pairs marketplace data, informed by current trends and drawing on platform insights based on 136 million active buyers and roughly 2.5 billion listings globally, with expert insight from eBay US’ Resident Stylist, Brie Welch.

With rankings based on global eBay purchases from January to March 2026, legacy brands continue to show resilience on the resale market, with Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Burberry and Chanel maintaining the most global purchases in Q1 2026.

Meanwhile, Dior has entered the rankings, as fresh creative energy led by Jonathan Anderson translated into growing momentum for the fashion house.

The report highlights that “closets are in motion”, with listings “surging across the board”. Certain brands are seeing the sharpest listing growth, with Brioni growing 59x and Rhude growing 43x in listing volume, showing how coveted labels are rapidly entering the resale cycle as more users buy and sell.

Additionally, a wave of listings from accessible, widely loved brands like Steve Madden (23x growth) and Birkenstock (11x growth) “underscores resale’s reach across price points”.

Average sale prices are also climbing, led by Rodarte (+721%), Raf Simons (+384%), Aupen (+317%) and Blumarine (+298%), with Eckhaus Latta (+126%) also making the list, signalling growing investment in both archival and emerging design.

The resale value of certain handbags is also on the rise, with global listings in the women’s bags and handbags category up nearly 20% in Q1 2026. Gucci leads the way with key styles such as the ‘Padlock’ bag (+530%) and the ‘Giglio’ bag (+428%), while the value of the Saint Laurent ‘Y’ tote is up 253% and the Bottega Veneta ‘Arco’ tote is up 177%.

On the sneaker front, Adidas was a winner following its design collaboration with Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, who debuted the Adidas BadBo 1.0 during his Super Bowl half-time performance. Searches surged more than 50% globally on the day of the show compared to the day before.

Meanwhile, Lady Gaga’s surprise appearance in a custom Luar dress drove an over 160% spike in searches, “highlighting how the half-time stage has evolved into one of fashion’s most powerful runways”.

Looking at wider fashion trends going forward, Brie Welch said: “Trends like feathery trims and funky colour-blocking - which by all logic shouldn’t quite work but somehow land perfectly - feel playful yet deliberate. There's a gravitation toward textures that catch light, colours that interrupt each other, and silhouettes that shift proportions - items with personality that spark conversation rather than fill a closet.

“The return of irreverent layering and early it-bags is a reminder that great style rarely comes from buying head-to-toe new. Pre-loved pieces, with their character and history, disrupt anything too expected and make style feel more self-assured.”

Other eBay Watchlist top trends for SS26 include:

Weightless drama

Transparency and movement are defining the season as consumers embrace fashion’s renewed appetite for romance and fluidity. Driven by the rise of sheer dressing and tactile statement pieces seen across runways and street style alike, searches for Alaïa ballet flats are up 58% year-on-year, alongside a 31% increase in feather detailing.

Slightly ‘unsettled’
Fashion’s shift away from polished perfection is fuelling demand for silhouettes that feel intentionally undone or slightly ‘off-balance’. As consumers lean into relaxed proportions and anti-pristine styling, demand for Levi's boot-cut jeans is up 67%, while the Balenciaga ‘Le City Bag’ has climbed 52%.

Drenched in disruption

Maximalist styling is making a confident return as shoppers seek pieces with personality, texture, and visual impact. Decorative finishes and statement accessories are gaining momentum, with shearling trim up 132% and searches for the Marc Jacobs ‘Blake’ bag rising 44%.

Colour interruption

After seasons dominated by neutrals, bold colour pairings and retro-inspired palettes are “re-energising wardrobes”. Consumers are embracing playful contrast and expressive styling, driving searches for Missoni beanies up 56% and Chrome Hearts up 35%.

Quiet confidence

Understated luxury continues to evolve through softer tailoring and investment staples that “feel effortless rather than overt”. As shoppers prioritise versatile polish and ease, searches for slouchy blazers are up 1,495%, while searches for The Row loafers have increased 89%.