2020 Fashion Wrapped

For the last few years, mid-December unveils a flood of millions of Instagram stories revealing Spotify users’ top songs and artists of that year, better known as “Spotify Wrapped.” While Spotify commemorates your year in music, we thought we’d pay tribute to other trends from this crazy year that is 2020. As the popular app Tik Tok blew up, so did many fashion fads. Quarantine allowed the world to make loungewear all the more trendy, while nicer modes of dressing still stuck around. So, why not a “2020 Fashion Wrapped” to memorialize this remarkably abnormal year?

Sweats and athleisure—but make it fashun.

The spring of 2020 was spent primarily shut away in our houses, thus we would have expected fashion to be put on the backburner. Instead, it was reinvented. We found new ways to make our loungewear and sweats look trendy, pairing them with gold jewelry or colorful accessories. Influencers like Danielle Bernstein (third picture) began to design expensive sweatsuits for consumers. Other fashion connoisseurs began to tie dye sweatsuits in their home for a personal touch. Overall, we embraced the relaxed look to match our minimized social lives, and we are oh so grateful for this comfy trend.

Baggy Leg Jeans

The skinny jean obsession? Gone. Flared bell-bottoms? Once again, a thing of the past. Baggy legged jeans are the new look. This fall, we saw a very Billie Eilish-level baggy jean become the new thing. Whether paired with a crop bra top, graphic tee, or equally baggy sweatshirt and blazer combo, we love this look. It allows the wearer to feel confident, yet comfortable—dare we say a more socially acceptable sweatpant? We love how these jeans cinch at the waist, but the legs are loose and forgiving. You can find this style of jean at both high end brands, or more affordable stores like PacSun or Urban Outfitters. Here’s hoping these jeans stick around for a while.

Hair Accessories

One thing we spent more time on in 2020 was attention to our hair. Many went from washing their hair every day to every three days, after some steadfast oil training during quarantine. Easy styles became all the rage, and the easiest way to add some pizzazz to our hair is with an accessory. From tiny to large butterfly clips, to hair scarves worn in a multitude of ways, we found new styles for our heads. Luckily, they’ve stuck around past their five minutes of Tik Tok “how to wear” fame.

Sweater Vests

I have to admit, this one came as a bit of a surprise. This seventies style made a huge comeback this fall as celebrities, influencers, and large retailers embraced the sweater vest. Sweater vests are unique because they can be thrifted for a few dollars, or purchased from luxury designer brands like Gucci and Prada. They are being worn both as dresses, over long button up shirts, and as cute crop tops on their own. Like much of 2020’s fads, social media deserves much credit for the explosive magnitude of this fall trend. 

Corsets

The corset follows the pattern of reaching back into the past for our latest vogue, but this time we reached wayyy back. While corsets were once seen as restrictive and oppressive, women are now taking back this trend to showcase their figures and accessorize their outfits. Corsets have taken off; they can be found built into dresses, on blouses of all sleeve lengths, or on their own, worn over another piece. Lingerie as clothing has been worn for the last several seasons, but this take gives corsets their own place in the fashion world, and they are accessible to all as they are sold for a vast range of prices.

The Old-School Uniform Look

While we may have been in virtual school, the preppy school uniform trend made a comeback—though maybe not for zoom class. In 2020, women were seen sporting tennis skirts and plaid kilts, accompanied by white sneakers and tall socks, loafers, button down shirts with sweaters on top, and varsity cardigans. These outfits were mixed and matched, looking effortless and achieving the “not trying while actually trying” look. We are a huge fan of the glammed up sweatshirt, which frequently made an appearance in this look.

Western Boots

Last but not least, cowboy boots had their own fashion moment in 2020. These shoes were a great accessory to many of the other looks, from corsets to school uniforms. While the floral dress and cowboy boots look has not resurfaced, western boots became a chic accessory in 2020. They are often paired with glamorous items to make them a bit more casual or add some edge. 

Have you tried these 2020 trends? Show us your looks by tagging @theedgemag on Instagram!

FashionGreta Bollmeier