The beginning of a new year is usually a time of reflection and taking stock. I don’t believe in resolutions but if I did, when it comes to fashion, they would be familiar ones: buy (and sell) secondhand, wear what I love, have fun with it. I would like to go back to doing more thrifting and less Poshmarking, but that’s partially out of my hands – it will depend on how the next few months unfold in terms of the pandemic. Because of that uncertainty, and the likelihood that online “thrifting” will continue to play a big part of my fashion life in 2021, I decided to put together for myself a list of personal trends to guide my future shopping decisions. Basically, these are the things that I’m currently into and would like to add to my closet.
I also did a quick check for items I need to buy or replace. The list, as you may imagine, is very short. I do need a new pair of black tights, some new underwear, and possibly to replace the faux leather leggings that my husband kinda ruined by spilling hand sanitizer on them. However, the damage is not SUPER noticeable, and I don’t really feel like spending $100+ on a replacement pair so … I probably won’t.
As for the rest … here are some of the things I’m loving lately:
Midi hemlines – of course, this is no surprise. Whether we are talking skirts or dresses, slim silhouettes or voluminous ones, midi is the length for me. Technically, it can be anywhere from mid-calf to ankle-length; it’s all good.
Voluminous tiers – I really enjoy a tiered design (see my purple Zara skirt) combined with lots of volume. I like being able to play around with the shape by either belting the volume or wearing it loose. This is a type of design I love for skirts, but especially dresses.
Interesting sleeves – I’m cautiously playing around with puffy sleeves, but they can be tricky because I already have broad shoulders. One type of sleeve, however, that I am really loving lately is the bishop’s sleeve (see my London Skye sweater).
Open, soft jackets – I am trying to avoid the use of the term “kimono” due to its cultural significance, but I still haven’t figured out a good alternative way to describe the type of garment I mean. Plus, there are several iterations I’m interested in, from something more closely resembling a chore jacket to something more like an oversize shrug/wrap (see my Jean Claude Poitras topper). I find these types of jackets really great for my current WFH life; sometimes, I need or want an extra layer, but I don’t necessarily feel like wearing a structured blazer. Plus, these types of jackets can usually be dressed up or down easily.
Large stone rings – I think I have reached that stage of life where I start wearing a ring on every finger. I love big, bold, silver pieces with natural semi-precious stones. My favourites are labradorite, moonstone, turquoise, crysophrase … actually, the list goes on and on.
Patterns – 2019 was all about corporate noir, but in 2020, I started to embrace colour again and I think that will continue in 2021. I am, once more, obsessed with prints. In particular, I love large, graphic prints and mixed patterns. Anything unusual and a little bit kooky. Think Marni, Dries Van Noten, Marimekko.
Mermaid blue – this deserves its own entry on the list. It used to be my favourite colour back in the day, and I have fallen in love with it all over again. It’s blue with a lot of green in it, and with a certain translucence to it – not pastel, but not super saturated either.
I have also updated my avatar inspo for the new year – here are the Prince, the Artist, the Adventurer, and the Bohemian in 2021:
Still the same DNA, but with slightly modified silhouettes and vibes. I am especially intrigued to play around with the “pirate queen” version of the Adventurer, although I’m not sure how often I’ll have the chance to do so, lockdowns considered. Ah, but it’s nice to dream!
What is on your “love it” list for 2021?
I’ve rediscovered open/soft jackets and blazers as a way to continue wearing and showing off my tees (like my RBG one). Not groundbreaking but a nice way to keep them in rotation in the colder months.
I love soft jackets for the layering potential (not just for fashion, but also for warmth). I kinda miss my old blazers, but kinda not. I’ll wait a while longer before I decide what to do with them long-term.
I never calling this type of fashion wear a Kimono because the wraps and jackets did not look like a Kimono really at all. I would call what you are wearing a cocoon or circle jacket. Ones with a straight open edge I would call a duster or an open robe.
I agree with that nomenclature, and I wish it was more consistently adopted across the fashion industry.