2020 may have been a year of sweatpants and Joe Exotic, but 2021 was the epitome of maximalism. With fur collars, funky colors, unique cutouts, and corsets dominating Instagram feeds worldwide, 2021 was indeed the modern fashion Renaissance. Here are our top five picks for the biggest fashion trends in 2021.
Sweater Vests
Goodbye, Grandpa! What was once reserved for professors and geriatrics experienced its largest revival in 2021. Rising along with the vintage nostalgia that pervaded this year’s top trends, sweater vests have taken off and boogied their way into closets worldwide. Worn with collars, on top of button-downs, over t-shirts, or as is, this trend is surprisingly versatile and diverse. These come in various styles and cuts, the most popular iterations being the argyle cropped vest and the oversized black-and-white houndstooth version.
Chunky Shoes
These boots were indeed made for walking. The lug-sole trend can allude to the rise of ‘90s grunge nostalgia and, well, the overwhelming urge to stand out in a crowd. With platform heights ranging from the two-inch Dr. Marten Jadon boot to the six-inch Naked Wolfe Spice boot, chunky shoes are the unifying factor in Pinterest boards worldwide. Another version of this trend is the chunky loafer, a subset of the academic aesthetic. However, chunky shoes are usually worn with streetwear or indie-themed outfits or, most notoriously, with Y2K-style getups.
Athleisure
The “Yanny” vs. “Laurel” debate pales in comparison to its “Flared Leggings” vs. “Yoga Pants” counterpart. Tennis skirts, varsity jackets, and college-merchandise sweaters are now redefining the line between loungewear, sportswear, and “going-out attire.” Worn with each other or various permutations of the small shirt, big pants mantra, these sports-themed fits allow everyone to stay cozy and chic. A much more versatile alternative to last year’s takes on athleisure, we can credit these 2021 trends to the statistical rise in the number of yoga class attendees for that year.
Baguette bags
The standout offspring of the Y2K style craze, rectangular shoulder bags like Prada’s nylon shoulder bag, the Fendi baguette bag, JW Pei’s Gabbi bag, and much more were seen as arm candy on the likes of Emma Chamberlain, Bella Hadid, and pretty much every single girl with a TikTok account. Worn with pretty much any silhouette on the planet and made in nearly every single color imaginable, baguette bags are flexible staples in everyone’s closet.
Corset Tops
Once hailed as restrictive, the corset top has undergone a complete 180. Featuring subtle nods to corsetry, like the boning and the ties, the corset top is a much more versatile version of its historical counterpart. With some even making their corsets out of upholstery fabric, flour sacks, and scrap fabric, the corset top has become a staple for the DIY Fashion Community.
Corset tops are also worn in a variety of different ways, like over long floral dresses, with a monochromatic color palette or with a simple pair of jeans and sneakers. Corsets are a fun and different take on structured clothing, and with designers like Vivienne Westwood becoming increasingly popular, this trend shows no signs of slowing down. With iconic outfits like Bella Hadid’s white corset top spreading like wildfire on the Internet, this trend surely made its mark in 2021.
Nevertheless, what you wear should be dictated by no one else but you. Trends are but a suggestion based on the most commonly worn items at any given period. Ultimately, trends are interesting to look at and entertaining to recreate. However, this need not come at the expense of both your self-esteem and/or your wallet.
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