By Ashley Lau | Staff Writer

   As the year begins to veer off into 2021, everyone seems to be reflecting on this year’s fads and crazes, with lookbooks that vary. This year’s styles were definitely influenced by many big names and brands, and I can say that it was anything but normal.  

   This year the 2000s (y2k) fashion, or preppy style, popularized in the 2000s was brought back to life starting over as if it had never ended. During the craze of the y2k style, pleated tennis skirts, baguette bags, and animal print patterns dominated the fashion industry.

   No one can forget the classic street style wear with oversized band tees, baggy jeans, bucket hats, and chunky shoes either. Air Force 1s were a basic necessity for everyone who wore the street style look that took over at the beginning of the year with many young teen entrepreneurs even starting their own business for custom shoes. 

   Tik Tok also played a huge influence on the styles this year coming out with the gender-neutral style, e-wear. It was inspired by the early 2000s, emo, and 90s grunge look. Composed of dyed hair, stacked metal jewelry, heavy makeup, black nail polish, and striped shirts with a signature black skirt, it can be worn by both men and women.

   On the other side of the spectrum lies the more pastel, outdoorsy themed style nicknamed “soft girl/boy.” This style is made up of heavy blush, flowy clothing, and colorful accessories such as butterfly hair clips.

   The accessory that seems to be taking over the fashion industry starting from the beginning of March and following us into the last bits of what is left of this year are facemasks.

   Many people individually began to come up with their own unique masks and sell them. Kim Kardashian came out with her own new mask line to add to a part of her clothing collection, Skims. Masks have played a huge part this year, keeping us safe and evolving fashion with some people specifically buying them in different colors and designs to match their outfit for the day. 

   Fashion reflected activism as well since activism has been a vast part of the ever-changing fashion statements. Many people have come out with their own personalized shirts to say what is on their mind such as “Black Lives Matter” to show their support for the cause. If someone asked me what I thought about activism in fashion, I would say most of the activism shown through social media influencers is simply just for social media and is performative activism.

   The ever so iconic pop star, Harry Styles, wore a dress on the cover of Vogue, making his own statement and coming out to say to everyone that clothes do not possess a gender. After soon-to-be Vice President Kamala Harris delivered her speech on Nov. 7, within 24 hours, the search for “white pantsuits spiked by 129 percent,” as stated by the fashion blog, Lyst, showing to many the impact on fashion that politics this year made. 

   This year’s style was definitely diverse, but each unique fashion statement helped leave room for more people to express themselves through their clothing and fashion trends. People can create a sense of belonging with others that feel the same. The fashion this year is not just about clothes, it is about people finally coming to terms with themselves and finding something that is just the right fit for them.