The World's Best Shoppers Share What They're Buying for 2021
Welcome to our World's Best Shoppers series, a monthly feature in which we tap into the shopping leaders of the fashion world—the best fashion directors, buyers, and stylists—for sartorial insight on what to buy each season.
I know I'm not the only one who is delighted to finally bid farewell to 2020 and welcome with wide open arms a hopeful 2021. A new year always brings with it renewed energy and excitement, and sartorially speaking, there's a whole host of thrilling trends and It-items for us to look forward to this year.
If you're looking for a little guidance and inspiration on what exactly to buy for the year ahead, we tapped into a handful of sartorially savvy fashion experts to share the must-have pieces they'll be buying, wearing, and Instagramming in 2021. From modern dresses to chic jewelry scroll below as the world's best shoppers share their must-have picks for the season ahead.
"We have seen a lot of cut-out modern dresses for spring 2021. Jaquemus has some great iterations to invest in this year."
"I am obsessed with ensemble combinations such as jackets over dresses or matching crop tops with shorts. I feel we all need a bit of extra fun next summer. My go-to style is mini skirts or shorts with high heels or a cool pair of luxe flip-flops by the likes of Amina Muaddi or The Attico."
"Ultimately, you should invest in a white crisp shirt this year, which never goes out of style, and you will have it in your closet forever. It is versatile and works with everything. Easy to dress up and down."
"I'm thrilled about this new-to-Shopbop brand, Goodee, which is the latest addition to our Style Support program. This chic Bassi Market Tote is 100% ethically made and sustainable, and comes in a range of bold colors and patterns, adding some stylish details to the upcycled fabric."
"We are so excited to have the Last Line here at Shopbop. This rainbow hoop huggie is an absolute must this year. The colorful stones paired with the drop-emerald liven up any look for a playful and fun-loving feel—the perfect stacking addition to my ear party!"
"Tie-dye is the perfect trend for winter and one which I will be carrying into the new year. I love the animated pattern, ribbed edges, and neon drawstrings of this Rodarte hoodie. It brings some brightness and warmth to my closet as the weather gets colder."
"The Kika Vargas Shona Dress features a beautiful collar and exaggerated sleeve detail perfect for those video calls. The bubble hemline feels fresh for the season and pairs perfectly year-round with boots or pointed-toes flat during the warmer months."
"The Third Crown Arc Bangle is a beautiful arc shape that I can layer with my other bangles or stand alone as a statement piece of jewelry. The designers were inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, which is a special place for me."
"I believe many of us are feeling very optimistic about next year and expect to be back in the office at some stage. Looking forward to getting back into workwear and this Peter Do blazer in particular."
"There's nothing quite like a new coat to lift one's spirits in the busy months of Q1 each year. Natalia of A.W.A.K.E. Mode always gets novelty outerwear right."
"We all know that knitwear is having a serious moment and we forecast this trend to continue well into 2021. When it comes to knits, we learned we need not sacrifice form for function and this Proenza dress from their last runway show certainly proves that point."
"I'm fully embracing print and color for spring 2021, both for the virtual world and hopefully for reconnecting with people IRL. Nordstrom has some amazing Scandanavian brands such as Stine Goya that will be getting me out of my rut and into some happiness."
"Let's be honest: We're not going to ditch comfy clothes entirely, however, I'm going to step up my game with some matching sets in fun prints and pastels."
"In keeping with the current modern minimal trend in apparel. Accessories and footwear are following suit. Particularly, soft and supple leathers in a sophisticated tonal palette look incredibly luxe and are so easy to wear."
"I'm loving this lightweight wool trench dress in the most beautiful blue. The notch label neckline with the pintuck detail on the sleeves give it the coolest vintage vibe."
"Everything is right about this skirt. It's easy to get into with its elastic waist, and the shirring throughout along with its midi length works for every body type."
"This striking red jumpsuit is one and done! It's so versatile, seasonless, and chic. For colder months, wear it with tall boots and an overcoat."
"Mules, square-toes, and padded toe thongs—3 big deals in 1! This shoe ticks all the boxes and the sky blue hue conjures up images of breezy summer days."
"This shoulder bag is the epitome of versatility. Wherever we're at by spring 2021, this bag will see you through daytime socially distanced meet-ups in the park to weddings, evening occasions, and everything in between."
"Invest in a relaxed-fit blazer for 2021. Suiting is going to get even more comfortable next year, and this Vince blazer hits all the marks with its perfectly slouchy fit, transitional fabric, and gorgeous neutral oatmeal color."
"Faux leather pants are my go-to wardrobe piece for 2021 because they look good with everything. Style with a vintage tee, an oversized sweater, a second skin mesh top, or a crisp oversized button-down. The options are endless."
"Spring means it's time to treat yourself to a new dress. For this season, puff sleeve dresses inspired by the 1940s were all over the runway. I love this simple, chic dress from Billie the Label. And after Pantone's color of the year announcement, you can't go wrong with yellow for 2021."
Up next, these are the most important spring 2021 trends, period.
Judith Jones is the senior fashion market editor at Who What Wear who specializes in shopping content and trend stories with high-affiliate impact. She shares the coolest, most desirable fashion market finds and brands for every budget. Previous to working in fashion, Judith worked as a TV host on the PBS travel show Globe Trekker (airing on Netflix and Amazon Prime) sharing her passion for travel and culture.
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