These 4 Trends From Last Year Are MIA, But These Are Still a Thing

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Miu Miu)

Let's time travel back to fall 2019 for a moment, shall we? This time last year, we had Katie Holmes nearly breaking the internet with her matching cardigan and bra look, everyone lusting after the latest Bottega Veneta It bag, and droves of people styling themselves head-to-toe beige ensembles. While some of those things are surprisingly just as relevant today (hello, Bottega!), the state of fashion today (and let's face it, the state of the world) looks quite different now than it did 365 days ago.

The good news is that there are actually plenty of reasons to keep wearing last fall's wardrobe. The F/W 2020 runways iterated on a number of trends from the past few seasons like leather outerwear and lingerie-inspired dressing, which is why we're conducting a quick status update to inform you of what's just as relevant now. And, of course, as the headline suggests, we're also pointing out last year's trends that have basically disappeared. Sorry, in advance if you love the things we're calling outdated here—we're just reporting on the runways, so please, continue to do you.

With that, here's our lineup of what's here to stay and what's been given the proverbial boot.

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Utility Everything
(Image credit: @trustmebuythis)

The utility trend held a strong grip on the fashion front for a while, and even though there will always be a spot in my closet for a boilersuit or cargo-inspired pants, I think we're starting to see a larger shift towards more classic items.

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Stick-of-Butter Dressing
(Image credit: @joiedejude)

Nothing against stick-of-butter dressing, tonal outfits in shades of beige and cream will always look chic, but we've noted that the buzziness of the look has started to fade out. Its potential successor? Oat-milk dressing.

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Itty-Bitty Bags
(Image credit: @laurenegg)

Although Jacquemus put microscopic bags on the map, their popularity has given way to bigger and slouchier shapes. Bottega Veneta's It pouch being one example.

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Houndstooth
(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

Houndstooth was one of those trends that showed up the runways in previous seasons and as timeless as it is, it hasn't really caught on the way other prints have.

The Ones That Are Still Kicking

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Leather Separates: Fall 2019
(Image credit: Courtesy of Maryam Nassir Zadeh)

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Leather Separates: Fall 2020
(Image credit: Courtesy of Miu Miu)

Get ready to load on the leather. From slick blazers to skirts and, of course, leather pants, designers like Fendi and Miu Miu showed a range of cool leather separates and confirmed that the trend is still going strong.

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All the Chains: Fall 2019
(Image credit: Courtesy of Tom Ford)

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All the Chains: Fall 2020
(Image credit: Courtesy of Bottega Veneta)

Whether they were embellished on clothing, featured on shoes and bags or worn as jewelry, chains were just as strong a theme throughout multiple collections this fall as they were last. 

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Slouchy Suiting: Fall 2019
(Image credit: Courtesy of The Row)

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Slouchy Suiting: Fall 2020
(Image credit: Courtesy of Bevza)

Yup, we're stuck on suits. Again. Designers keep showing modern tailoring in their collections, and each new update is even better than the last. So who are we to resist? This fall, in particular, it's all about a return to basic suits with slouchy, untailored tailoring.

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Chunky Boots: Fall 2019
(Image credit: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images; Pictured: Prada F/W 20)

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Chunky Boots: Fall 2020
(Image credit: Courtesy of Stella McCartney)

If you bought into the chunky-boot trend last year, congratulations. The runways confirmed that this weather-friendly, comfortable, and all-around practical pick will continue to be a trend-forward option, too.

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Lingerie-Inspired Dressing: Fall 2019
(Image credit: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images: Pictured: Dion Lee F/W 19)

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Lingerie-Inspired Dressing: Fall 2020
(Image credit: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images; Pictured: Fendi F/W 20)

Lingerie-inspired pieces like lace-trimmed slips and corset tops that were once reserved for the bedroom have been in and out of style for years, but we don't recall a time when the trend was quite as persistent as it has been now.

Next: 5 Hair Accessories All the Fashion Girls Are Wearing This Fall

Senior Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.