2021 Best Buy's
- Dec 31, 2021
- 10 min read
Updated: Jan 20, 2023
For me, 2021 was the return of shopping. It was also the year I wanted to ensure anything and everything I bought, and kept, fit within who I want to be as a woman in my 30's. If I couldn't see myself wearing something well into my new decade, then I wouldn't buy it - if it doesn't align with me and my style, then regardless of the cost, it wasn't worth it. Every piece I've bought this year has been more considered than ever before, so much so, that when I contemplated doing this piece for the worst pieces bought this year, unlike this one where it was hard to narrow down as there were so many, it was hard as there were so few. This is something I'm proud of - it's something I've always preached, which I'm now practising more than ever before.
The below pieces were hard to narrow down to, but nevertheless, certified worthy of this list on all levels! When I was thinking about this post, these are the pieces which not only came to mine first, but also were never doubted once unlike some others which just didn't make the final cut.
These are what I'm so thankful fashion in 2021 gave to me, with the reasons why, and some looks from my digital wardrobe of how they've been worn:
1)
As dupe as dupes can be, the Duke's from Kurt Geiger are my version of the Jimmy Choo patent Bing's and I adore them. Not a direct, cheap copy, but a tasteful version of a designer favourite over recent years. Available in a handful of other colours, this pale, soft leather tan was the one for me - classic, classy and versatile! A gift from my boyfriend and they take pride of place on my shoe shelf for special outfits and special occasions, and they bring me nothing but pure joy when my eyes glare past them as a piece of art bought from love!
If you'd like a pair yourself, they're still available, here's a link!
2)
Oh my gosh, I never expected to love this piece as much as I do but the richness in colours, the movement of the fabric, the subtle lurex sparkle in the fabric, the pretty print and the flattering shape made me want to live in it! The browns, creams, pinks and golds within the print make it perfect for the autumnal season and I just love that other shades of neutrals and beige match it perfectly! Most of the time, me, as well as most others, team neutrals and beige with outfits just because it's easy - with this dress, they actually compliment it beautifully. It fits in all the right places and the loose sleeves and skirt have so much movement that although it's an A/W piece it feels light and comfortable. A truly versatile, quality dress for a more than reasonable price from my favourite brand, River Island, at £48.
Not shocking but not available anymore! There's a mid-length version available so here's a link to the brand anyway!
3)
A recent buy but a good one, and even better that I was lucky to snap this up in the sale for just £13 from New Look, and what's better, is that at £23.99 (which I was more than happy to pay) on the label with no markdown price, I was given a lovely surprise at the till! We should all know by now that I adore boucle fabric; this style, a check, and some embellishment in button form - it's a dress made for me so it was always going to make this list, no matter how late in the year I actually bought it!
It fits really well, the zip is more than substantial and this is something I find usually lacks in a boucle dress - where this fabric is quite tough and has no give, it needs an equally tough zip, nothing flimsy and small, and I've unfortunately had to get rid of boucle pieces in the past for this reason alone so I'm thrilled that I'll have many more wears in this one! The button detail is silver - different to my normal love of the warmth of gold, but I think on this dress, I actually prefer it! It looks great with pearls, another reason I adore it, could be dressed up and worn with heels for the evening but I just love it with an ivory pussy-bow blouse underneath, some 15/20 denier tights and some heeled boots and a Chanel style bag. Equally, a smart high neck knit underneath with one more casual boots also works, just like in the screenshot above from my digital wardrobe app! A versatile dress in this capacity, i.e. with the fabric type and feature buttons is a rare find but of course one I obviously value as a worthy wardrobe piece of mine.
Not available online anymore but here's a link for the brand anyway!
4)
The only problem with this top, is that there could be even more, and even bigger, ruffles! This is quite possibly a piece of fabric art that should go down in fashion history in my opinion! It may sound a little extreme, particularly for a high street piece, but I was described as the "Woman of Wimbledon" when this was last worn, and to be honest, that compliment summed up how powerful and fabulous I actually felt, which is how I believe all women should feel in all their clothes. Flattering, extravagant, dramatic and still feminine.
The sheer fabric is double layered in all the right places for modesty, and not layered in all the right places for a classy level of sexiness too. It features a low back, v-neckline and a peplum hem, and looks truly fabulous with a white pencil skirt which is how I've always worn it. I have one which has a zip all the way down the back, so the back of my outfit is just as interesting and the front, but for the denim lovers too, this top works with white denim and blue high-waist jeans just as well, styled up for the day as well as the evening. By far the most unique and interesting purchase of 2021 and again, from my beloved River Island at £38.
Not shocked to say this isn't available anymore, but here's a link should anything else similar come available again!
And if you want something VERY similar, in white, I found this...
5)
When it comes to my style, this blouse has become a pivotal piece in my wardrobe.
The puff sleeves, spot sleeve fabric and neckline with a bow diamanté brooch are as Blair Waldorf scheming in a headband is! It's been styled with so many skirts and dresses of mine, and is a piece that isn't going out of style any time soon - it's a style that will always work for me and my wardrobe and although bought in early autumn, it already has a cost per wear of £5.14. Not bad for a £36 top once again from my beloved River Island.
I'm not surprised but this isn't available anymore! Here's a link to the brand anyway, in case anything similar comes back in!
6)
I consider this a rogue piece - firstly because it's from Karen Millen, but secondly because it's not what I'd call a typically Karen Millen style at all, but, I love it! Again, a classic check with some waistline detail and in a classic shape, particularly for my style.
So easy to style with knits, boots and winter coats, it's a heritage style piece that isn't really ever going to out of style.
The shape is my favourite and it's a skirt I can honestly use in a multitude of outfits and it makes this list because it will be a wardrobe staple of mine for a long time to come. Although expensive at £99, a price I wouldn't normally pay for this type of piece, I managed to nab a discount, get free delivery and considered how often I know I'll wear it and with how much.
It's still available and I can't recommend it enough, here's a link!
7)
Long gone are the days of Lipsy body-con dresses with diamanté's details, they're having a revival right now! I actually didn't own a red coat before this one, but it was something I wanted for my wardrobe, I was just waiting for the right one, and this is definstely it! The colour is a true, bright red, with some gold hardware detailing and a wrap style shape. With my signature Red Dior lip and so many of my clothes, this coat has my name all over it, and is by far the best piece of outer-wear I've not only bought this year, but within the last few seasons too! £68 from Next, and with this quality and price, hopefully Lipsy will be back as a store in it's own right!
Not available in this gorgeous colour anymore, but in others instead, have a look, I can't recommend this style enough!
8)
Another Lipsy number here, and another coloured piece of outerwear which was missing from my collection where I was waiting for just the right piece to come along, and here it is! A gorgeous, rich maroon, with a black faux-fur collar and gold button detail, this coat is smart, snug and fitted to perfection. whilst being warm at the same time, I love that this looks great both buttoned up and undone too, and matches perfectly with my maroon, merlot coloured clothes in autumn/Winter months! Again at £68 from Next who thankfully still stock this reviving brand!
You're lucky enough that this is still in stock! Here's a link, you're welcome!
9)
Now I know most women on the planet own this blazer, but when something is so perfect, is it really that surprising? This boucle, blue blazer with silver buttons has my name written all over it, and I am beyond thankful that I managed to snap one up, because these sold out fast! It's just another piece perfect for my style, and perfect for staying in style for years to come also. I can honestly say it's a piece for my wardrobe which I can't ever see myself "growing out of" or "going off".
Perfect with a multitude of outfits, but for me, teamed with a white dress, embellished white sandals and a headband to match, it does everything I wanted it to when I first laid eyes on it, and telling you how much I love it doesn't do it justice!
Surprisingly, because the rest of the world have this, it's no longer available, but we all know that Zara are trusty boucle blazer providers, and before you know it, they'll provide once again! in the meantime, here's a link to one very similar, and it's on sale too!
10)
Another Zara piece which the world went crazy for, and again another piece where I can see why.
It's not just the boucle fabric I love with this one, but the fact that it's one solid colour - a gorgeous, bright, summery, feminine pink, and has shoulder pads giving a subtle nod to the 80's, an era I adore for structure and drama. The gold double breasted buttons make it super easy for my to match to so many outfits, and with worn when done up or undone, again can be worn with so much versatility.
I already knew I loved it, I've styled it with pink accessories and feel a million pounds in it, but it was only gone and featured on new bombshell Emma Hernan in Selling Sunset! She's powerful, successful and beautiful, and seeing her in my blazer which I love, reignited my love for it all over again, during a season where I can't wear it but can't wait to once again in warmer months. Better yet, she styled it up in a way I hadn't considered - belted for extra power, and I'm all here for it!
Unsurprisingly, this one is sold out, but we all know Zara will come through with the goods again. Until then, here's a link for another one similar, again, on sale!
11)
Another blazer, another River Island piece! This has been allll over my Instagram, not just because I love it, but because it can be styled with so many outfits in my wardrobe. Quite possibly one of the most versatile pieces I've bought this year, another classic style which I can't see myself ever not loving. I bought a mini skirt to match, but the blazer can be styled with so much more it just had to make this list - with jeans, the matching skirt, other skirts and so many blouses and knitwear. It feels incredible too - soft, thick and pure quality, with gold button detailing. £75 and my cost per wear is £5.76 while it's used in 22 outfits - if that's not a fashionable investment I don't know what is!
Sadly no longer available but to shop hopefully something similar here's a link to the brand anyway!
12)
I always say, why buy designer when you can buy Dune? Their quality, design and achievable price structure make it my favourite brand for footwear and accessories, and this bag has been an absolute favourite all summer long! A perfect size for your essentials, gorgeous stitching detail, a beautiful gold hardware clasp, the most beautiful, bright pink and luxurious chain, I honestly don't know what isn't to love! I love it so much, I bought it in red too, but this pink has been a summer staple that just had to make this list! It's taken pride of place on my bag shelf and next summer it'll once again take pride of place on my arm in a perfect outfit for it!
The pink is out of stock, but Dune offer 5 other colours in this beauty, here's a link!
13)
Another day, another dupe! My dream bag has to be a Lady Dior - don't ask me what colour or size, I couldn't possibly decide! But anyway, I couldn't afford and wouldn't want to pay for one anyway (why buy designer when you can buy Dune, remember?!) so when I laid eyes on this Lady Dior dupe I just had to snap it up. It came in a few colours and I believe it's still available now in other fabrics and colours too, but I opted for a soft, pale pink! It features gold hardware for handles, one of which is wrapped in a the most gorgeous twilly! Lets not also forget the charms, stitch detail and detachable strap - granted I have never and will never use it (it just doesn't fit my style, but thankfully that doesn't matter as I can take it off!) but it's something else River Island thought of!
I've used this in a multitude of outfits over the summer, and it actually fits so much in there that for a work bag, day bag and even an evening bag too - it works! For £44, and now has a cost per wear of £2.75 you can work out how many times I've used it in half a season!
Sadly no longer available, but here's a link for easy River Island shopping anyway for something similar!
<a href="https://www.shoesexpress.co.uk/">Birkenstock UK outlet</a>. The BIRKENSTOCK Arizon is a rustic and extremely comfortable variation of the classic Mary Jane. It has a heel strap and a small slit in the front of the upper. Even on wedge heels, the heel strap provides optimal support. The exquisite circular buckles capture the eye. The upper is constructed of soft natural leather in high quality.
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