The Absolute Best Fashion Trends Of 2021

Everyone and their mother had their hands on a tote bag this year. Whether it was for popping down to the store for some groceries or for heading out for a lunch date, all of us carried a tote bag on our shoulder at one point in 2021. In fact, for many of us, the casual cotton tote became a bigger fashion statement than any designer leather bag could be.

As The Guardian noted in November, branded tote bags became a sort of status symbol. In the U.K., bags from certain cool, local brands, such as the Ginger Pig and Daunt Books, were commonplace on the streets. Some brands even latched onto the trend to sell new products. For instance, when Sally Rooney's new book was released, a tote bag was a big part of the marketing campaign.

The New York Times also noticed the tote bag trend. In August, a designer told them, "There's a trend in New York right now where people are wearing merch: carrying totes from local delis, hardware stores or their favorite steakhouse." Our guess is, this trend is here to stay.

In 2021, we wanted to look fierce — ultra professional, sophisticated, and confident. And what better outfit to show off that side of our personalities than the power suit? This year, the gender-neutral, fitted monochrome suit became a must-have.

As Vogue reported in 2021, power suits were all over the streets of Paris, Milan, and Copenhagen this year. The great thing about the power suit is that you can really get creative. Instead of opting for an all-black or navy suit, a power suit can come in any color of the rainbow — think bright red, pale pink, purple, or even patterned. Wear it over a shirt or with nothing underneath. Wear it with heels. Wear it with shorts. The options are endless.

We love the versatility and potential for personal expression that comes with this powerful, bold look. After a year of staying indoors, it's no wonder we all turned to such a statement!

When it came to outerwear, there was one style we saw everywhere in the fall. The retro fringed jacket certainly had a moment this year. While this classic look isn't a new trend, it came back with a bang in 2021. Everyone seemed to be going for the '70s cool girl vibe.

In March, Editorialist noted that "the resurgence of 1970s style" was "in full swing." "The popularity of the buckskin fringe jacket has never been more prevalent than it has in recent seasons," noted the publication. Town & Country concurred, writing, "If you love a statement topper, why not double down with an oh so chic fringe jacket."

Whether it was the classic tan jacket with fringe around the breast and pockets, or a more adventurous jacket with extra long fringe, these eye-catching, highly swingable jackets were the go-to spring and fall look this year.

Jewelry got pretty funky in 2021. We said goodbye to our classic pearls and our understated gold hoops, and, instead, we brought the bright and the bold with the seriously incredible beaded jewelry trend.

In September, Grazia took note of our obsession with all things beaded, noting that the trend stemmed from our post-lockdown desire to get creative. We were all drawn to beaded necklaces, earrings and bracelets because, as Grazia put it, they "conjure[d] up nostalgic memories of the long, free summer holidays we [were] craving." Glamour also took note, writing, "From the poshest designers, through to independent jewe[l]ery brands and the high street behemoths, everywhere you look there are sweet beaded pieces that remind us of summer holidays spent threading beads onto strings." The trend became so popular it even appeared on the runway at Versace's spring/summer 2021 show in the form of seashells on jewelry.

Some of us crafted our own unique pieces, while others flocked to local designers and boutiques to pick up their funky accessories. Either way, everyone was bedecked in beads this year.

Wait a minute, was this 2021 or 1960? That's right — the mini skirt came back in full force this year in all its mod girl glory. While the last few years have been all about those long floaty prairie girl dresses, this blast from the past actually felt like a real update.

As L'Officiel noted in October, our obsession with the mini skirt was probably symptomatic of our time spent cooped up indoors. "As we emerge, our fashion is getting bolder, and our hemlines seem to be getting shorter," they wrote. And those short hemlines were everywhere. Brands like Miu Miu, Saint Laurent, and Michael Kors all featured mini skirts in their collections this year — even in their fall/winter collections! That's right, in 2021, mini skirts weren't just for the summer. Pair a mini skirt with some sheer tights and tall boots for the perfect trendy winter look this year. This look is definitely here to stay.

What was once the ultimate grandpa look has somehow made it into the top trend list of 2021. While the idea of wearing a knit vest over top of a button-up shirt may fill you with terror, it's actually super fashionable now!

In September, StyleCaster called the vest "the new blazer," citing Kendall Jenner as a vest trailblazer. InStyle also highlighted some stylish vest-over-the-shirt trends. You could wear a turtleneck knit vest over a tight black long-sleeved shirt, for instance. Or, you could pair an oversized v-neck vest with a black turtleneck underneath. The biggest vest trend, however, is the v-neck knit vest over a button-up, collared white shirt. This trend may take some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, you'll love how cozy and confident you feel! Plus, a vest gives you a chance to add some color and personality to your more straightforward work outfits, so it really is a win-win.

Thought the cowboy boot went out of fashion sometime in the '70s? Think again. This year, cowboy boots burst back onto the scene. And it's not hard to see why. 2021 called for big, bold looks, and cowboy boots certainly delivered. This is one of those styles that always grabs attention and makes a statement — and what could be better after a long year sitting in front of Zoom?

Who What Wear noted that bright, colorful cowboy boots were in during the warmer months, while more classic muted boots came back into fashion in the fall and winter. That's right, you can wear boots all year long! Nylon also picked up on the trend, writing, "With other western trends also in the mix, this boot is a guaranteed wear through fall and into next spring and summer." It seems that western-inspired looks are here to stay, so dust off those cowboy boots for 2022!

Nothing is bigger or brighter than an outfit covered in sequins, so it's hardly surprising that after a year indoors, we wanted to add some sparkle (literally) to our wardrobes. Sequins were seriously in this year. "People are not just ready to get dressed up — they're ready to get dressed up in the most maximal ways possible," fashion journalist Joe Zee told Bloomberg. "There's something incredibly joyful to look at something that's shiny." Zee was referring to how almost every fashion designer included sparkles and sequins in their collections this year.

As Harper's Bazaar noted, the sequined looks of 2021 weren't necessarily like anything we'd seen before. This year, designers focused on incorporating sequins on seemingly regular items of clothing, such as pants, jackets, and day dresses. Want to end the year on a high? There's no better way than by covering yourself in glimmering sequins!