Is it too late to do a little 2020 roundup? I hope not, because I don’t think I’ve ever done a post like this before and I’m pretty excited about it.
To many it may seem pointless to talk about fashion in 2020, as so many of us were at home for the most part of the year. But I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again – fashion is what saved me in 2020 (together with other things – don’t worry peeps, I’m not completely insane). I shopped way too much considering not only what was happening in the world but also considering what fashion does to the planet – I’m going 100% mea culpa here and know that I have to be more responsible with my shopping habits. Having said that, I did get some pieces that I really, really hope I can keep in my wardrobe forever – or for as long as they’ll last!
And because summer 2020 in the UK was essentially the only time we did get to go out and enjoy life a little (in hindsight: bad idea), most of these items are summer go-to’s. Plus, I’m a summer girl through and through – it’s when I fully come alive, and that shows in my summer style. So without further ado, these are my top 10 fashion purchases of 2020.
1. The Blazer
2020 will be the year of a lot of things – and one of the things I don’t mind remembering it as is the year I fell in love again with blazers. That long-forgotten item of clothing in my wardrobe had a rebirth when I bought this white beauty from Wallis. To say that I am obsessed with it is an understatement – I wore it what felt like constantly and with so many kinds of outfits. I also wore it as long as I could – such as a chilly day in late September when it was really just too cold for light blazers. And the ironic thing is that it’s barely been on my Instagram.
2, 3 & 4. The Summer Dresses
I almost fainted when I counted exactly how many summer dresses I bought this summer – and while I could have easily just done a separate blog post on dresses, these are the three that have really stood out for a multitude of reasons. Mainly because l felt like a million dollars every time I wore them. Secondly, they’ve come to store a bunch of memories that will remind me of a very particular time in my life and in history – a time that was anxious yet carefree and heartbreaking yet wonderful all at the same time.
Aw man, this dress gives me all the nineties vibes and I love it. I don’t generally like nineties fashion but there’s just something about the cut, colour and print of this dress by Fashion Union that makes me want to keep it forever. It was the dress that instantly made me feel pretty and effortless – that I could wear on a date (only if the date was worthy of it though) and to basically any other kind of summer outing. I could wear it with heels if I wanted to be super glam or with trainers if I felt like emulating Lily Allen – whatever I felt like, this dress would oblige.
I can’t pinpoint what it is about this Stradivarius dress that makes me adore it. Has it got a slight eighties prom feel that an eighties lover like me can’t resist? Is it the little lilac floral print? Is it because it can be worn for absolutely anything and has a super easy-breezy vibe? Maybe it’s because I found a perfect pink wall that made it even prettier, leading to one of my favourite shoots of 2020 and a new Insta profile picture… Whatever it is, I hope that despite its precarious viscose composition it lasts for a very, very long time.
This, for me, is the dress of all dresses. The dress of the summer. One step sexier than all of those ‘cottage core’ vibes spotted on the ‘gram, this dress (by an Australian brand called Sisters of The Tribe that I stumbled upon on ASOS) is possibly one of the sexiest dresses I own. It takes A LOT for me to feel comfortable enough not to wear a bra, and somehow this dress miraculously gives me the confidence to free the nips. But as sexy as it is, I think it’s got a lot of prettiness too – thanks to its skater skirt, delicate floral print and butterfly sleeves. I feel like I wore it lots over the summer – or certainly always felt like wearing it – and honestly can’t wait to get it out again.
5. The Tops (In Any Colour)
For some – well, everyone – it was all about those Zara bodies. For me, it was all about those gorgeous Topshop racer vests, which I think the now-troubled brand brought out at the end of 2019. Never would I have thought that I’d fall in love with a humble racer top – but for some reason these ribbed beauties make me feel like a million dollars. I bought them in a bunch of colours – first black and grey, then blue, pink and green. I wish they had brought one out in red – and lilac would have been good too… But greediness aside, I’m delighted with all of the colours I’ve got and can’t pick just one for this section.
6. The Jumper
As autumn was approaching I tried my hardest to stir away from my bad habits and not go bananas with knitwear. I didn’t exactly succeed and treated myself to a few pieces, mainly cardigans. 2020 has in fact been the year of the matching cardigan and top for me – but I got so many that I couldn’t choose just one to share in this post. However, there is one jumper that has really stood out to me in terms of cost per wear: this black beauty I got from H&M in October. I don’t know why but I am obsessed with it and gravitate towards it when I’m unsure about what to wear. The neckline is so different and elegant, whereas the long sleeves are like little comfort blankets for my hands – these details make it a jumper that can be so easily dressed up or down. Would I have liked it in another colour? Surprisingly, no – I think the blackness is what makes the neckline stand out perfectly.
7. The Jumper Dress
I am, ultimately, a lazy dresser – hence why dresses, apart from the fact that they make me feel great, are my salvation. So believe me when I say I miss wearing them during winter.
Enter jumper dresses – a whole different ball game from my easy-breezy summer dresses. I’m not normally a fan of jumper dresses – why do they have to so oversized? I’m not that slim but oversize jumper dresses swamp my small frame – so personally I prefer something a little more fitted. And that’s why I believe a long version of a roll neck jumper does the trick.
I bought the same design of this Missguided dress in the colour lilac in 2019 and it was one of my most worn pieces throughout Autumn/Winter 2019-2020. I was dying for it to come out in black and the one-year wait was 100% worth it; I love it. Black is not my favourite shade by any means but for some reason I gravitate towards this dress constantly and had to bring it with me to Spain. Also, it can kinda double-up as a top – double win! Maybe in 2021 Missguided will treat us with a red version of it?
8. The earrings
I am such a magpie when it comes to earrings but after having a little think I concluded that these little hoop earrings from ASOS were the earrings of the year for me. Whether I want to wear something cute, simple or semi-statement, these Mejuri-croissant-inspired hoops really have become my go-to earrings that perk up the dullest of looks and outfits.
9. The shoes
In a year in which shoes really did take a step back, I’ve got to hand it over to these brogues by Jones Bootmaker. Good with a ton of jeans, shorts, trousers, skirts and even certain dresses (I’d wear them with all the dresses I’ve mentioned in this post), these neutral brogues have proven to be worth every penny.
10. The bag
Embarrassingly I bought quite a few bags in 2020 (I know, I know, even more pointless than clothes) – I say it’s best to have a look at my Instagram to spot these newbies if like me you’re a handbag lover. But if I had to pick just one? Well, it’s this humble £8 piece by Primark. I only got it in either October or November and yet it really does feel like it’s the bag that was missing in my collection. If one’s Insta feed is anything to go by (not always, but sometimes), it must be a good sign when I’ve shared it 5+ times. Fingers crossed it has a relatively long life.
I could have thrown in a few more pieces – but 10 is a nice number, am I right? So these are the items that helped me out with (and even shaped) those precious moments of normality we had last year. They may have come into my life during these turbulent times, but they’ll stay with me way beyond 2020.
Pictures taken throughout 2020 (and jumper dress taken today!)
xxx