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Greatest Handheld Followers of 2025
If the warmth wave that tore by way of the nation this summer time proved something, it’s that moveable followers simply is perhaps 2025’s hottest accent and purse must-have.
Residing within the Huge Apple, WWD Store’s editors have noticed dozens of urbanites (slash fellow heat-avoiders) stepping outdoors with their followers all all through the previous few months. Past metropolis streets, the hand-held fan development is surging on TikTok, too: the place there are presently tons of of movies of content material creators displaying off pastel plastic followers bedecked by whimsical keychains and charms or these with an uncanny resemblance to cutesy animals.
Typically, although, battery-operated followers simply gained’t reduce it in the case of hauling round one thing that not solely pairs nicely with however amplifies your outfit. So, if you happen to’re looking out for a extra dramatic and glamorous technique to preserve a traditional physique temperature this season, we’d be remiss to not redirect you to the unique handheld followers which are having a serious trend second as we communicate.
Throughout Copenhagen Vogue Week, which ended simply final week, many burgeoning tendencies popped up on the savviest of European dressers: just like the thong sandals that each It-girl appears to be sporting nowadays and crochet hats closely impressed by classic nightcaps. Additionally amongst these accent tendencies have been handheld followers — carried by attendees at exhibits like Jacquemus and Viktor&Rolf, through which they served as important items of the ensembles, not simply sensible instruments for staying cool. The old-school, foldable followers have been matched to pink bandana headscarves, button-ups, and glowing platform sandals. They served as equally statement-worthy equipment whereas friends donned puffy headbands, tulle skirts, outsized blazers, and glossy boots.
Copenhagen Vogue Week was fertile floor for some sartorial experimentation with handheld followers. Right here, attendees might be seen pairing them with every little thing from pink bandana headscarves and tulle skirts to outsized blazers.
Courtesy Edward Berthelot/Getty Pictures
Earlier this summer time at Couture Week in Paris, an identical sample may very well be witnessed, with numerous showgoers pulling collectively their outfits utilizing dramatic handheld followers. French-Malian singer-songwriter Aya Nakamura, for instance, matched her old-school, foldable fan to a sheer, halter-neck robe that includes striped embroidery; French mannequin and designer Ines de la Fressange, too, used a white fan so as to add much more texture to her high-waisted linen pants, starched shirt, and woven crossbody bag.
Earlier, Paris Vogue Week friends additionally sported a wide range of foldable followers, together with people who featured elegant tassels.
Courtesy Edward Berthelot/Getty Pictures
In June, folding followers made a menswear look when Milan Vogue Week friends employed them in lieu of a clutch. Outdoors the Giorgio Armani present, one such trendsetter selected a bright-blue fan that was an ideal match for his polo shirt of the identical hue, resulting in a glance that was nothing if not composed and coordinated. And for the Royal Ascot as nicely, racegoers resorted to followers not solely to mitigate the consequences of British warmth but additionally to increase the magnificence of their getups (the followers actually appeared très stylish subsequent to cocktail clothes and statement-making hats).
It’s clear that hand followers of the non-automatic selection are having a renaissance and are actually obtainable in numerous iterations from raffia-based to wood-and-paper designs, however the origin of those hot-day necessities can truly be traced again to 4,000 years in the past in historic Egypt. There, they weren’t solely used for spiritual ceremonies but additionally thought-about a logo of energy — to the purpose of being present in King Tut’s tomb. On the time, the followers have been nothing in need of elaborate (suppose ostrich feathers, golden handles, and treasured stone overlays).
Folding fan depicting scenes from Homer’s “Odyssey.”
Courtesy Sepia Occasions/Getty Pictures
Folding followers particularly are believed to have originated in Japan, after which they have been absorbed by Europe’s excessive society: seen in portraits of Catherine de’ Medici and different noblewomen throughout the continent. Notably, Louis XIV liked to fee followers, in search of to maintain their manufacturing inner to France, they usually quickly grew to become a form of carte blanche for the prevailing artwork kinds of the day — bearing Rococo illustrations, scenes from classical Greek mythology and the Bible, plus depictions of monuments that impressed delight. In accordance with the Swiss Nationwide Museum, some followers have been additionally adorned with “brief poems, charades, conversational video games, or rebus puzzles with which the women might occupy themselves when bored.”
Portrait of Catherine de’ Medici, Queen of France, with a fan in her proper hand.
Courtesy Sepia Occasions/Getty Pictures
If the primary picture of foldable hand followers that involves your thoughts is one thing straight out of “Bridgerton,” know that the TV present precisely depicted their prevalence in Regency-era England and the truth that aristocratic ladies used them as a coquettish flirting device throughout social interactions. This present day, you’re unlikely to fulfill the gaze of a stranger throughout the subway fluttering their hand fan to suggest their curiosity in you, however these guide cooling units nonetheless have a agency foothold within the cultural zeitgeist.
A long time in the past, the late Karl Lagerfeld might regularly be noticed with a fan in hand as he greeted paparazzi and attended high-profile occasions, to the purpose of it turning into his sartorial signature. Audrey Hepburn additionally clutched a handheld fan in “Battle and Peace,” and the merchandise was extra not too long ago discovered within the fingers of A-listers from Taylor Swift to Beyoncé, often meticulously coordinated with their OOTDs. All in all, it’s secure to say the attract of this age-old manner of stopping your make-up from melting has not been misplaced on the present technology.
Karl Lagerfeld holding a foldable fan in Paris, France, circa 1995.
Ellen Graham/Getty Pictures
These days, the market is replete with accordion-style followers: confirming that, whereas their spinning counterparts would possibly unburden your wrist, old-school sophistication will at all times be en vogue. Luxurious trend homes have launched their very own iterations, together with Dior’s toile-printed fan; Loewe’s now-sold-out, beach-ready palm and wooden creation; Prada’s equally unavailable striped fan with a leather-based strap and the enduring triangle emblem in attraction kind; and the Pucci Iride Print Fan, whose pink cotton cloth is right for including freshness to summer time and transitional-weather ‘matches. If the worth tags of the above choices are sending you right into a sweat-inducing spiral that may solely be remedied by a handheld fan, worry not — there are many budget-conscious options which are no much less aesthetically pleasing and good at what they do.
Under, the chicest handheld followers throughout all value factors that we suggest buying earlier than summer time is over, as a result of warm-weather consolation shouldn’t come at the price of your meticulous type.
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Poouty Folding Hand Fan
There’s nothing extra traditional than an all-black hand fan that acts like a chameleon in relation to your trend selections. This Amazon decide from Poouty is light-weight, has waterproof bamboo slats which are something however flimsy, and clocks in at solely 13 inches in size when folded (which means you may retailer it in a tote bag just like the Brooklyn Shoulder Bag and not using a second thought). As an added bonus, it opens with a clack that can draw the eye you need, making this best choice simply as preferrred for dancing Flamenco as it’s for strolling down the road with a little bit of angle.
Worth upon publish date of this text: $9.99
Gucci Giant Flora Print Fan
Gucci’s Flora Print Fan makes tapping into boujee maximalism straightforward. A brand new arrival, this luxurious decide boasts the archival, vibrant-as-can-be Flora print and consists out of delicate, swoon-worthy silk satin. Since you deserve to buy from labels which are extremely attentive to element, the fan additionally advantages from a dangling Double-G attraction and is available in a leather-based pouch that lives as much as the standing of the merchandise it homes. This can be a handheld fan you’ll be proud to open up at weddings, date nights, and each occasion in between — letting the intricate patterning communicate for itself, whereas producing a much-appreciated breeze.
Worth upon publish date of this text: $580
Aspinal of London Hand Fan and Fan Case
$240
Aspinal of London is a British model producing luxe, heirloom-quality leather-based items and equipment. Right here, the best full-grain leather-based swaths the fan case — a necessary a part of the set that additionally features a crafted-in-Spain hand fan with a cotton rim outfitted in a print evocative of the English countryside. As you indulge within the visuals of cheerful birds and verdant branches, take a second to savor the moveable fan’s birch wooden ribs, too, which bear the Abanico Español guild seal (the model calls this the final word “mark of authenticity and superior artisanship”).
Worth upon publish date of this text: $240
All Throughout Africa Giant Desert Fan
Handwoven in Ghana from pure fibers and coloured with natural dyes, this eye-catching beaut is also referred to as a bolga fan: historically owned by Ghanaian queens, made out of elephant grass, and identified for its color-happy finishes. Staying true to Free Individuals’s bohemian inspirations, the fan may also be transformed into a chunk of boho-chic decor: wanting simply as show-stopping subsequent to a macrame plant hanger because it does beside your go-to linen gown.
Worth upon publish date of this text: $90
OMyTea Folding Hand Fan
The title of “Amazon’s Selection” signifies that this hand fan, which was bought over 1,000 instances within the final month, is one you shouldn’t overlook throughout your subsequent buying spree. We’re notably large followers (get it?) of its design: replicating “Underneath the Wave off Kanagawa” whereas being manufactured out of high-quality silk cloth and bamboo. Put it in your purse and take it out as wanted, dancing the night time away at an upcoming operate. The acquisition will seamlessly praise marriage ceremony visitor clothes in related coloration palettes, in addition to each different late-summer trend discover in your closet.
Worth upon publish date of this text: $12.99
Olive & Iris Seashell Straw Hand Fan
We don’t know what we love extra about this type staple: its seashell-inspired silhouette or the truth that the fan is woven out of light-weight rattan that’s trending proper now in resortwear. Visually fascinating and evocative of a leisurely day spent on a tropical island, it should develop into a dialog piece in your house and in your hand.
Worth upon publish date of this text: $18
Khu Khu Strawberry Splash Hand Fan
Handmade in Spain by a model whose mission it’s to rejuvenate the hand-fan market, this bestseller will make it easier to win “strawberry woman summer time” (which completely ought to stick round for fall, if you happen to ask us). The whole lot — from these silver particulars on the painted wood sticks to the extremely saturated, sensible graphics of the season’s greatest fruit — feels enjoyable and contemporary right here, with out ever sacrificing high quality development.
Worth upon publish date of this text: $90
The Citizenry Bolga Fan
The Citizenry’s bolga fan choices keep true to their wealthy heritage by coming from the fingers of Bolgatanga artisans and harnessing regionally sourced supplies. This one’s pure coloring will make it fit your most vibrant swimwear, summer time clothes, and texture-rich staples for autumn; the model additionally recommends repurposing the fan as a wall hanging when not actively in use.
Worth upon publish date of this text: $142
H&M Scalloped-Edge Fan
In case your preferences lean extra black-and-white, we’re right here to introduce you to this color-blocked stunner whose scalloped edges would possibly mirror the hemline of your favourite robe. Attain for it every time you wish to really feel a contact extra glam, as you stroll round a brand new metropolis or attend a piece celebration.
Worth upon publish date of this text: $7.99
Palma Canaria Embroidered Ciao Appliqué Straw Fan
$65
Woven straw luggage are sizzling as might be proper now… and so are woven straw followers. This product’s light-colored fibers are contrasted by pitch-black embroidery and a tassel to match; it should turn out to be useful while you’re saying “ciao” to your Euro Summer season trip or hitting up an outside soirée to toast to summer time’s finish.
Worth upon publish date of this text: $65
Salutto Leopard-Printed Hand Fan
This gem would possibly make it in order that your greatest trend funding this 12 months finally ends up costing lower than $10. Channeling 2025’s animal print development (thought-about a impartial at this level), its cotton cloth folds and unfolds relaxed — and shall be at your service everytime you wish to cool off or else simply admire the timeless design. Amazon reviewers reward the fan’s sturdiness, thickness, and accompanying protecting pouch. Nice as a celebration favor, it’s additionally a kind of high-value self-care purchases you’ll be turning to 12 months after 12 months.
Worth upon publish date of this text: $8.99
The best way to Model Handheld Followers in Summer season and Fall
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Meet the Creator
Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Author at WWD. Beforehand, she labored at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, protecting all issues luxurious, tradition, and way of life by way of a design lens. Her bylines over the previous 5 years have appeared in USA Right this moment, Baltimore Solar, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Meals & Wine, and extra. Previous to becoming a member of ELLE DECOR, Datskovska discovered the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, the place she examined merchandise, coated tentpole gross sales occasions, and curated reward information roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s diploma in journalism and worldwide relations. Datskovska commonly reviews on the hot-right-now equipment value consumers’ time.
