2021: The Year in Style
The sneakers, apparel, accessories and collaborations that made 2021 a landmark year for style.
2021 was remarkable for style. Brands, houses and designers debuted some of their boldest creations ever—despite COVID limiting social interactions for much of the year. In the world of sneakers, a thread of fluid, organic design ran through a number of releases, hinting at the shape of footwear to come. At the same time, OG silhouettes from the ’80s returned to the center of the conversation, reinforcing their importance in sneaker culture for a new generation.
On the apparel side of the spectrum, visionary collaborations brought together fashion institutions and digital franchises, laying the groundwork for personal expression in the metaverse. Runway shows returned to in-person formats for the first time since early 2020, reestablishing a tradition that some used as a point of divergence, like in the case of Balenciaga’s SS22 presentation told through a special short film with The Simpsons.
Across the board, innovative production techniques increased the possibilities of form, function and sustainability, while unprecedented cultural exchange through social media catapulted archival finds to the forefront of style in a way that hadn’t been seen since the explosion of vintage metal tees in the mid 2010s. Throughout it all, the achievements of the past stood out against a backdrop of a reassuring present and a promising future.
As 2021 comes to an end, we take a look back at the monumental shifts in global style, reflecting on the year's biggest developments to better understand what's to come in 2022.
Revisit the Year in Style below and shop the Best of 2021 here.