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It goes without saying that 2020 turned out to be a much more casual year than most of us anticipated. With widespread stay-at-home orders, we saw a rise in search for oversize joggers, stretchy pants, and cosy tube socks. But if you're anything like us, you know that though comfort is life, it's still cool to appreciate the season's current and upcoming trends. We of course took note of what the "cool girls" wore to the (virtual) fashion shows and, more importantly, in their living rooms.
We did some research and partnered with a few of our favourite online retailers to see what trends we shopped for this year. With the help of Stephanie Nelson-Roberson, SVP and head of buying at Shopbop, and Celenie Seidel, senior womenswear editor at Farfetch, we rounded up the pieces everyone seemed to be in the market for this year, because they still have staying power through 2021.
"[During] this time of year, cosy knits are always a hit. Oversize sweaters, embellished cardigans, and cable-knit pullovers are essential for feeling [both] festive and fashionable!" Stephanie said, adding, "Printed tops — think gingham, floral, and geometric — are guaranteed to add a pop of personality to any look. I especially love this Ulla Johnson Pippa Blouse, for example. Floral prints paired with puff sleeves and ruffles give this blouse the perfect feminine feel!"
Seidel from Farfetch summarized our approach to 2020 shopping perfectly: "Undoubtedly, 2020 has seen a seismic shift in our collective shopping habits. With our lifestyles changing so drastically, there was a collective realisation around being ill-equipped to function comfortably within the framework of our new reality. Significant time spent at home, with nowhere to go, has seen our customers gravitating noticeably towards loungewear, activewear, and knitwear, all speaking to our need to seek comfort during uncertain times."
As we round out a year that most of us never could have anticipated, we thought it'd only be right to share the items that were searched for and highlight some of our favourite examples in case you want to stock up for 2021.