The 8 Most Popular Fashion Trends Shopped For in 2020
8 Fashion Trends Everyone Searched For Nonstop in 2020 — and We Still Love Them
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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.
1 Puffer Coats
"The perfect puffer does exist and we have many! We've seen a variety of different styles with this seasonal trend - designers are experimenting with distinct textures and fabrics, cropped fits, and the oversize look. I'm currently obsessed with this Veronica Beard puffer. It's oversize fit paired with a reversible pattern makes it on trend and functional," said Nelson-Roberson.
2 Veronica Beard Puffer
3 Elevated Essentials
There's no doubt that blazers are an essential part of our wardrobe, and going into the new year, that won't be changing. With an emphasis on sustainability and curating a more streamlined, essentials-focussed wardrobe, research shows that trends continue to be trumped by forever pieces and classic, elevated essentials.
4 Eloquii Blazer
5 The Frankie Shop Blazer
6 Fashionable Activewear
"We're all living in activewear right now and Shopbop customers are definitely taking this time to upgrade their fitness gear. Printed leggings, colourful sports bras, and textured tanks make any workout (or just lounging around the house) more fun. Include a pair of Bala bangles that adds both resistance and a pop of colour to any wellness routine," Nelson-Roberson said.
7 Tory Sport Bra
8 Tory Sport Shorts
9 APL Sneakers
10 Bala Weights
11 Coordinated Loungewear
If nothing else, 2020 highlighted the need for multiple pairs of work-from-home basics and with new stay-at-home orders, you can bet we'll continue to see a surge in cosy co-ords. For an ultra-chic living room look, go matchy-matchy in a head-to-toe monochromatic set.
12 Tkees Hoodie
13 Tkees Joggers
14 Eloquii Cardigan
15 Eloquii Pants
16 Cosy Cable Knits
"This time of year, cosy knits are always a hit. Oversize sweaters, embellished cardigans, and cable knit pullovers are essential for feeling festive and fashionable!" said Nelson-Roberson.
17 Eloquii Skirt
18 ASOS Design Vest
19 Cool Sneakers
"Sneakers with a cool twist! Funky patterns, bold colours, varied textures and bright laces are the perfect way to upgrade this staple piece and our customers can't get enough of them!" Nelson-Roberson told us.
20 Golden Goose Sneakers
21 Veja Sneakers
22 Straight-Leg Jeans
The return of classic, straight leg jeans is very much here, as noted in our
2021 denim guide. "A cool but classic straight leg jean is always high on our most-hearted list. Comfortable, versatile, and timeless, a straight leg jean can be dressed up or down and is an essential piece for all seasons," Nelson-Roberson said.
23 Dr. Denim Jeans
24 AGOLDE Jeans
25 Belt Bags
Whether you call them fanny packs or belt bags, this is unquestionably a gender-neutral wardrobe essential that continues to be on the rise. "Belt bag sales have been strong, nodding to our need for only the essentials (keys, cards, phone, mask) on quick trips to grocery stores." Seidel said. We couldn't agree more.
