2T
020 was not a good year. But the clothes were pretty.
Way back in Winter 2019, I remember scrolling through the Shein app and finding the New Year collections. I wasn’t sure about it. Though a lover of Victorian anything, Neon Victorian didn’t fit the bill. Some of those shirts looked like someone had taken a Victorian blouse and soaked it in a rainbow.
However, after a year of the big sleeves and colorful prints, I am a fan.
I came to learn Shein had taken liberties with their New Year collections. Other shops weren’t so over-the-top, and I absolutely fell in love with the Fall/Winter options at Francesca’s Collections.
I’ll be the first to admit my fashion sense is not what it used to be. Working in retail has helped keep me up-to-date on trends, but my English soul still shines through. And while I am not a fan of the boxy women’s clothes often sold in England, anything cosy has become my new best friend.
Winter 2020 introduced a very Victorian sillouette, while Spring was spilling over with bright florals. Summer, I honestly don’t know because I was cooped up inside, and Fall brought ponchos, animal-print, and fuzzy sweaters.
While the pandemic left something to be desired from 2020, I’d like to share my favourite pieces of the year.
Clothing
Bodysuits. I love bodysuits. They are a newer discovery for me, my first buy happening when I first moved to London.
Living in Georgia, I had little use for them in the heat we’ve had in recent years (Christmas 2017 was 70-degrees Fahrenheit!). But in London, with rain and wind and general higher-latitude cold, bodysuits quickly became a favourite.
Bodysuits are a great addition to any wardrobe. As someone who wears a lot of skirts with my top tucked in, bodysuits are honestly a godsend. My skirt hides my belly and the bodysuit never pulls out of place. (Plus, this whole unsnapping-to-pee addition at the bottom is awesome. Part of me wish normal pants did that.)
Thick Sweaters/Jumpers. I always wear a lot of are these chunky sweaters (called “jumpers” abroad). Especially after living in England, I am all about that chunky sweater. So warm, and as of Fall 2020, very stylish. No longer do I have to sacrifice fashion for warmth.
I’m still on-the-fence about the extreme oversized ones that appeared this Fall Season. I have yet to try them myself, in fear they make me look wider than I am. Nobody wants that! But maybe it’s like a poncho, where it counter-intuitively makes you seem thinner??
Overall Dress. This is a style I would have barfed at two years ago, but I adore it today.
It’s definitely a style common in London, especially in corduroy material for Fall/Winter. (I’ll talk about my love affair with corduroy in a bit.)
Put a bodysuit underneath (or a chunky sweater, if you’re more fashion-forward than I), add your favourite boots, and you’ve got the easiest winter outfit in the world.
Maxi-Skirts. While there is a notable lack of maxi-dresses this year, there are a lot of maxi-skirts. (This was at least true in my store.)
Summer had some t-shirt style skirts, and 2020 has been the rise of the florals. September brought an autumn palette to these floral skirts, and I am not mad about it.
High-low cuts also appeared a lot, which is a style I never liked before I bought an orange-floral maxi-skirt from work.
Jumpsuits & Rompers. The Jumpsuit Tsunami hit us this year. There were so many in the store where I work. They were freaking everywhere.
And then, just like that, the tsunami disappeared come Winter Season. We still had formal jumpsuits (some of which were beautiful), but all other jumpsuits vanished from the shelves. I’m personally upset about this.
Since discovering jumpsuits, I’ve all but turned my back on rompers (also called playsuits). Rompers are not always friendly to my body proportions, and I think I’ve just lost my taste for them since I never wore them in London.
I’ll also be turning 26 this year, so maybe I’ve just grown out of them…?
That said, they’re beautiful on everyone else!
Jeans. Quite frankly, I’m proud of myself for buying new jeans.
I was years late on the skinny-jean trend. I still like them because they tuck into my boots with no fuss.
But I have missed my bootcut jeans. And while bootcuts are not sold where I work, we do have an amazing pair of flair jeans.
(I am also a big fan of this throwback-fashion stuff.)
But for now, I’ve bought a looser pair of “skinny” jeans that are a pale-wash, and more recently, a black straight-leg pair. Because while my black jeans do still fit my ass, wearing jeans I’ve had since middle school doesn’t make me feel like an accomplished adult.
Outerwear
Faux Leather Jackets. I may not like leather pants, but I love leather jackets. (Always faux for me; I won’t buy off the animal.)
A good faux leather jacket, though, can be just as stylish and as staple as a real one—for a much more affordable price.
Besides—I don’t know about you—but I love looking like a badass.
Denim Jackets. Like faux leather jackets, denim jackets are a great transitional piece. Personally, I think (faux) leather jackets have the potential to be warmer than denim, but not everyone cares about that.
Especially down here in the Southern states, denim jackets are a big thing. They’re so versatile, and they’re certainly a little country. Now, all I need is my cowboy hat.*lol*
Chunky Cardigans. There is a simplicity that came to street fashion this year, and I’m digging it. A simple cami and jeans with a chunky cardigan up top, and you’re good to go.
It’s every lazy girl’s dream outfit. You get to walk down the street in a blanket!
Poncho. Speaking of wrapping up in blankets, ponchos are still in.
I’m actually really happy about this because I was skeptical about this last year. I did buy one from Shein and never wore it. I finally gave it away because I decided I never would. (You can see that one here.)
I was wrong. I picked up a similar one from work, and I love it.
Suits. I remember when the suit-and-biker-short thing was going on at the beginning of the year. Let’s just say I was not a fan.
I’m not really a fan of the suit jacket and the suit shorts either.
However, a well-fitted suit and some trousers or a skirt… That’s damn magical.
I’m obsessed with this look, and I honestly just want a job befitting the outfit. Because retail ain’t it.
Bags & Purses
This is a good example of my ever-changing fashion sense.
The kind of purse or bag you carry is in direct correlation to the kind of life you lead. While I was in public school, I carried a wallet with the essentials which lived in my backpack. In (American) college, I carried a big tote bag. Once I moved to London (university), I switched to a backpack-purse—something that could be one and the other.
That was life-changing. You can read about that here.
I’ve carried them ever since for most days. (If I’m going exploring, I have a miniature backpack.)
2020, however, had the return of big tote bags and woven bags from last summer. I think totes are pretty, but I need an organizer to use them or else I go crazy. And I’ve yet to see the appeal of woven or wooden bags.
Maybe that’s because I first saw them in London, and I didn’t understand them with as much rain as London gets.
Shoes
It’s boot season, and I couldn’t be happier about it. But before we get into that, let’s talk about a new find.
Canvas Tennis Shoes. These are a favourite discovery.
I don’t like to wear normal tennis shoes, so these are the perfect substitute. They’re comfy and flat, and simple enough to go with anything without sacrificing the cute.
Booties. You can’t go wrong with booties! Perfect for Spring and Fall (and sometimes Summer or Winter, if you live in the UK). Booties have been around long enough, I don’t need to talk them up.
I’ll just leave it with this: If you do not possess at least one pair of booties in your wardrobe, you are missing out!
Combat Boots. Combat Boots are not a new invention either, but they are having quite the comeback. With the growing hype surrounding vintage and thrifted pieces, it’s no wonder combat boots are back with full steam.
I like this style fine, but it doesn’t tend to look good on me. I am too much of a girly girl to pull off badass combat boots. The leather jacket is plenty for me, thanks.
That said, I do have a pair in my closet that was once used for an archaeology internship. And I still wear them on planes because they have a zipper compartment in the side that is excellent for storing a secret stash of cash. (Similar found here.)
Knee-High & OTK Boots. Now, here’s something I can talk about all day.
I freaking love knee-high and over-the-knee (OTK) boots! I’ve been living in these every autumn/winter since middle school!
The key here is knowing that it’s in your best interest to shell out a little more money for a really good quality boot that will last you.
Tall boots are subject to more wear than most shoes. Tall boots, unlike flats, sandals, booties, or tennis shoes, reach above your ankle, which means they experience friction there. All my high boots have holes at the ankle because apparently, I kick myself when I walk.
My current pair I’ve had for almost three years and worn them almost every day of those three years. At an $80 price point, they’re holding up great. There’s a bit of wear on the toes (London streets are not the smoothest walkways out there), and of course, the hole on the inside of either ankle. Thankfully, those problems are aesthetic.
I’ve never owned a pair of OTKs. Growing up in Georgia, I never needed them. But upon moving to London, I learned better.
Thigh-high socks and knee-high boots pair together as a decent substitute when in a pinch, but OTKs will be one of my first purchases when I move back to England.
Accessories
Masks. (Unfortunately, we’re still in need of a section like this. But the vaccines are out, so hopefully we’ll kick COVID soon.)
It took me a long time to come around to fabric masks. But when it became clear they would be a part of our lives for the long haul, even I eventually got sucked into the pretty.
Masks, once, were an ugly neon sign that said “I am ill”, but that’s not really the case anymore. They’ve become a fashion accessory as much as a hat or pair of sunglasses. And I appreciate a well-coordinated outfit.
It helps, of course, to have one that fits your face.
Scarves. An accessory I once believe was totally unnecessary. Then I lived through a London winter.
And learned scarves actually serve a purpose. And serve it well.
Scarves range all sorts of prices, but honestly, both of my London scarves were under £7/$10 and kept me plenty warm.
Besides, when we’re all wrapped up in coats and mittens, winter can get kind of monochrome. Scarves add a bit of personality back into your wardrobe.
Thigh-High Socks. Another lovely London discovery.
I went through the middle school-stage of wearing knee-high socks like the girls in foreign tv shows, but it wasn’t my style until I learned to wear them for the wet London winters.
Now, I have several pairs.
My recommendation is, honestly—of all places—Shein. I bought all my OTK socks from there for about £5 (~$7), and continue to go back every year to restock. I am partial to the woven ones. They’re much thicker than a normal sock and contains the body heat that tries to escape out the top of my boots.
And honestly, pull on some OTK socks under your knee-high boots, and nobody is the wiser.
Sunglasses. My brother spoiled me to Sunglass Hut years ago. I have two pairs from there now, and I adore them. Personally, I prefer the expensive ones because it encourages me to keep track of them. My mother likes cheap ones because it doesn’t matter if she loses them—because she always loses them.
Whatever your preference, even in London—the cloud-cover city—a good pair of sunglasses not only makes you look like a damn queen, but they’re a great headband, too.
Hair
The Return of Hair-Dressings (aka scrunchies, headbands, barrettes). It’s taken me only all season to get into these. These were my childhood—I mean, like, 3-years-old childhood. And while I still see Anne Boleyn’s court headpiece in the pearled-headbands, I am a big fan (finally) of the return of hair bows.
My brother’s attempts at telling me that wearing them makes me look like a 5-year-old are out-of-date. Now, I just need ribbons to come back in style.
And scrunchies don’t pull my hair out of my head every time I take them off, so that’s a win.
I think I’ll come around to the big headbands. I’ve come to see some of those barrettes as quite classy since Seo Ji-hye wore them in Crash Landing on You.
Hats. I’m so late on the hat train. Hats appeared a few years back as an, again, appropriate accessory. I’ve always loved them, but I was never quite brave enough to wear them. Working at Francesca’s now is breaking down my insecurities.
For those who don’t know, Francesca’s employees are encouraged to wear jewelry and accessories from the store during their shifts. Unfortunately, due to COVID, we are not currently working as living models.
But I can promise as soon as we’re allowed to again, I’m gonna be taking all our hats off the walls and wearing them every shift.
Fabrics
Corduroy. I love corduroy. It’s a new love, but I love corduroy.
The brilliance of corduroy is lost on those who live where it’s warm. There is no appeal to wear corduroy if you’re not insulating against the cold. I get it.
But they insulate. Boy, do they insulate. Wear corduroy, and you will not be feeling that chill any time soon. (Within reason. Y’know, don’t opt-out of that winter coat because you’re wearing corduroy. It’s not magic.)
Prints & Colours
We recently received a massive shipment of jeans and jean-likes in a variety of colours. The coworker who took them out of the box calls them the “The Technicolour Dream Pants”, and it’s kind of true. While I’m a fan of jeans in colours other than the standard blues, you’ll never find me in a green jean that’s called “Hello Again Green”, when we all know it was called “The Vomit Pants” in the warehouse.
Even if it is made of corduroy…
Sage & Olive Greens. Unfortunately, my skin tone does not agree with many green tones, despite my green eyes. Olive and sage tones, however, do okay next to my red hair.
I do love green sweaters.
Plum/Maroon/Burgundy Identity Crisis. We all know this colour; it’s been popping up for years. It’s that reddish-purple colour that every store labels something different.
This colour used to make up the majority of my wardrobe. I honestly thought it still did, as it’s been my favourite colour to put on for most of my life. But I’m running low!
What I do know about this colour is it fits well in all seasons and tends to look good on everybody.
In Review
2020 fashion had a rocky start with me, but I have to say, I’mma miss it. And I sure hope the simplicity and the cozy aspects stay around for 2021.