As we enter a new year, filled with new trends, it is important to reflect upon last year and assess what went well in the world of fashion and where we went wrong. From overall themes down to accessories, let’s take a torrid down memory lane in our most fashionable shoes.
First up, the trend that survived the transition from 2020 to 2021, but will it make it to see another year, Y2K. The overall Y2K aesthetic of sparkles, flip phones and tiny everything first became big in 2020. This was not a surprise as trends tend to run on a 20-30 year cycle. Some trends that can be attributed to the Y2K aesthetic are: bedazzled baby tees, low rise jeans, bright colors, track suits, baguette bags, ultra-mini denim skirts, etc. Some just dabbled in the trend by adding a few pieces to their wardrobes and others went all in, adopting the style as their one and only. I think the people who just updated their wardrobe slightly will be done with it in the new year. But, for those who went all out, it’s here to stay for them.
Another aesthetic that has been gaining popularity over the last year, and peaked in the fall, is the “preppy” aesthetic. This aesthetic has been building up for a while and we saw it explode in popularity in the transition from spring/summer to fall/winter of 2021. This can also be called “business casual”. It takes the form of sweater vests, blazers, vests, loafers, and the ever-so popular white button up.
Another trend that took the fashion world by storm in the fall/winter season was leather. Once again, leather had a slow build-up that started way before it’s peak in the latest season, but when it hit mainstream fashion, it hit hard. We saw leather pants, leather corsets, leather jackets, leather vests, leather shoes; anything you could put on your body, make it leather. First made popular by the “model off-duty” look with the leather blazer. And of course, leather pants are always lingering around. You will never look out-dated with a good pair of leather pants. But it became incredibly popular to wear full leather outfits or to experiment with leather accessories this year.
2020 saw the rise of chunky “dad” sneakers. 2021 saw a whole new level of chunky shoes with the rise in popularity of platform boots. Made iconic by the brand “Naked Wolf” other companies such as Versace and Steve Madden hopped on the band wagon by releasing shoes with platforms that might break an ankle. It was typically seen as black boots that were ankle or knee high, but then turned into platforms heels, platform sandals, platform sneakers, etc. Another shoe that became widespread in 2021 were the cowboy boots. They gained traction in the Spring/Summer of 2021 and were typically paired with stereotypically feminine pieces like flowy dresses and skirts. Influencers and celebrities such as Laini Ozark and Emily Ratajkowski were at the forefront of this trend.
And finally, one trend that survived the transition from 2020 to 2021 and hopefully into 2022 was knitwear. This gained popularity during quarantine as many people looked for entertainment in new hobbies. We saw knit/crocheted cardigans, tops, bathing suits, etc. 2022 will see the rise in knit balaclava, whether you like it or not. I can’t say I didn’t participate, hopping on the bandwagon to knit my own cardigan.
Some trends I am hoping are left behind in 2021 and others I look forward to seeing evolve in the new year. Wishing you all a happy, successful and stylish 2022!