2020 was a year that changed the course of history forever. The COVID-19 pandemic changed nearly every industry from technology to fitness, and fashion was of course no different.
Loungewear and nightwear became the most worn staples as we were told to stay indoors, with ‘casual fashion trends’ becoming the most popular search trend on Google in 2020 according to Vogue.
Many chose comfort over glamour, with joggers claiming a place in every woman’s wardrobe and cottagecore becoming a glorious trend, while fashion followers injected a little nostalgia into their wardrobes with 90s style making a reappearance.
Here, we take a look back at the year in outfits.
READ MORE: We’ve found the best pieces in the sales so you don’t have to
Harry Styles was the most searched for celebrity style icon of 2020.
The former One Direction star has grown out of his boyband persona, and firmly grounded himself as one of the UK’s biggest style icons due to his retro aesthetic, love of jewellery and gender-bending looks.
We love this suit he wore to the BRIT Awards in February 2020, styled by his long-time stylist Harry Lambert.
Read more about Harry Styles’ most iconic looks here.
Tracksuits aren’t for everyone, but it seemed as though we all got on board with loungewear in 2020.
Kim Kardashian West clearly saw the right time to strike and in October launched a velour collection with SKIMS to commemorate the infamous tracksuit she and Paris Hilton wore constantly in the noughties.
READ MORE: The fashion trends you need to know for Spring/Summer 2021
As well as loungewear taking over, cute and comfy pyjamas became a necessity for those stuck at homes 24/7.
Megan Ellaby wears a Daily Sleeper Daily Sleeper set, which almost looks too good to sleep in.
Clearly we aren’t the only ones to think so, and the brand’s gorgeous PJs inspired many feather-trimmed pieces to be worn out of bed too.
Tie-dye became another top search on Google in 2020, with many small businesses selling the home-made look.
This set comes from Lanes London, a small business from stylist Emma Lane that specialises in tie-dye. Laura Whitmore was spotted in one of the colourful trackies, which roll two trends into one – loungewear and tie-dye.
The trend became popular after J-Lo was spotted in a very colourful set in September. We’re not complaining!
Shop Lanes London here.
The Bottega Veneta stomper boot became the it-shoe of 2020, with the trend sweeping Instagram.
At £845 a pop, the Tire boot wasn’t affordable for all – so many fast-fashion brands made copy-cat versions for fashion girls on a budget, while Dr Martens became another popular choice.
While the majority of us were curled up on the sofa in PJs for most of 2020, another top search on Google was for suits.
Perhaps those working from home wanted to feel professional on Zoom, or maybe the suits on offer were just too good to pass up. Either way, this one came as a surprise to the rest of us spending the pandemic in loungewear.
As staycations were on the rise and city-dwellers escaped to the countryside, cottagecore became the biggest trend of 2020.
Fields full of meadows and floral dresses could be seen on every Insta-feed of the year, while even celebrities got on-board – including The Beckhams.
READ MORE: Forget cottagecore – cabincore will be huge in 2021
While Kim Kardashian took a trip back to the noughties, stars Bella Hadid and Dua Lipa made us feel like we were in the nineties again.
From cardigans and chunky trainers, to wispy tendrils and antennae hairstyles, they embraced the decade 2020-style and it just worked.
No wonder then that Depop was full of retro and vintage-nineties looks that sold like hot cakes – including a Jane Norman top from Yesterday’s Babe Vintage, which Bella’s stylist bought for the star.
For fashion advice, tips and chit-chat, join our Facebook group What To Wear Next.
READ MORE: 6 sustainable fashion brands who make beautiful clothes to order
READ MORE: Is Primark ethical and sustainable?
Wear Next may receive a small commission if you click a link from one of our articles onto a retail website and make a purchase.
