Top 21 Outfits of 2021
I gotta be honest, I look forward to writing this blog post every year. There’s something so fun (and special) about taking a trip down memory lane, sifting through thousands of outfit photos to choose my favorites. To my surprise, most of my 2021 favorites came from my summer trips. It was a fun challenge dressing for new locations and I was able to come up with some killer outfits!
It took me quite some time to narrow down my favorites but I’ve finally deemed the best twenty-one looks of the year… here we go!
ONE
I have to admit, this was the only outfit from January-April that seemed worthy of being in my top twenty-one. It just gets too cold to be visually creative in the winter/early spring… however, I did love this fit. I went through a major button-down dress phase in January thanks to Tik Tok and even though this trend has since passed, I still love this look. There’s something so timeless + sexy about tights with sock boots. I love this outfit to this day!
from Recreating Pinterest Outfits Winter 2021
TWO
In May I went on my first trip of the year to Nashville, Tennesse and I gave these iconic blue and white floral boots another time to shine. I got these in February of 2020 for my first New York Fashion Week and they bring back all the nostalgia. I swear every time I wear these I get endless compliments. They are old SheIn and I’ll never get rid of them. I wore them with this cute white mini dress and took the most amazing photos in them. Easily in my top five.
from What To Wear In Nashville Summer 2021
THREE
On that same trip, I also wore this denim jumpsuit from Fashion Nova. It was without a doubt one of the most flattering pieces I wore this year. With a zipper front plunging neckline and a belt to accentuate the waist, this hugged every curve perfectly. I paired it with my mini white western boots and a cowboy hat to match. I scored dozens of compliments from people on the streets of Nash and was truly living my best #cowgirl life.
from What To Wear In Nashville Summer 2021
FOUR
Although simple, this outfit had to be included because I truly wore it so much. And let me tell you, it’s not often I repeat an outfit so that deserves an honorable mention. Spanx sent over their Get Moving Skort and their Longline Sports Bra in just about every color and I wore the duo nonstop whether it be for a day of traveling, golfing, or working from home. I cannot say enough good things about these sets and will definitely be bringing them into 2022 with me.
from What To Wear In Charleston Summer 2021
FIVE
This is another simple fit but it includes pieces that I wore all year long. This year Express released their Body Contour collection, high quality basics available in tons of colors to help build a capsule wardrobe. This high neck bodysuit was one of the first pieces I tried from the collection and I’ve been hooked ever since, grabbing dozens of styles in multiple colors each. I also got tons of wear out of these jeans. They are a Fashion Nova favorite and I get questions about them to this day. Let’s not forget these ruched slides being super trendy too this year!
from 10 Outfits To Wear In Chicago This Summer
SIX
Here I am in another Body Contour bodysuit! I also wore these Windsor shorts nonstop. They sold out almost immediately and yet the fit was too good to retire. These sneakers were in my top five most worn shoes of the year. These are the Dolce Vita Zina sneakers and they are easily the most comfortable, yet trendy walking shoes for a trip to the city. They’ve got arch support + are super lightweight. I just grabbed them in another colorway because I loved them that much.
from 10 Outfits To Wear In Chicago This Summer
SEVEN
I touched down in Miami for my first trip of July and immediately slipped into this green two-piece set. This jersey fabric was so popular this summer and I had dozens of pieces in it. However, few were as flattering as this set. I just love that plunging neckline and the midi skirt. Bonus points for my straw heels and matching tote— I wore this purse until the strap fell off (literally).
from 12 Outfits To Wear In Miami This Summer
EIGHT
Attending the Sports Illustrated fashion show had to be one of the coolest experiences of 2021… this blue two-piece was what I wore for the big night. These pants were so incredibly flattering and these scarf tops were all the rage this year. 10/10 would wear this again—I felt like such a badass.
from Six Outfits I Wore To Miami Swim Week
NINE
Here’s another fit featuring some basics. When I wasn’t prancing around a new state, you could find me wearing something simple for a day of working from home. These long cropped tanks from Express were easily my most-worn clothing item of the year. I have this top in 8 colors and reach for them for every occasion. I also loved these spiral heels. I can’t walk more than ten feet in them but they sure do photograph well, lol.
from 5 Shoe Trends You Need To Follow This Summer
TEN
There’s something about the straw heel + bag combo that I just couldn’t get enough of. I’ve actually been hooked on this duo for a few years now and am sure it’s here to stay in my wardrobe. White flowy tops and denim shorts were what I reached for all summer long.
from 5 Vacation Outfit Ideas For Summer 2021
ELEVEN
In August I attended my cousin Katie’s wedding and got to wear this beautiful lace dress from Lulus. I wore several pretty dresses throughout the year and some may argue it’s no more special than some of the others but few made me feel as pretty as this one did. Everything about this I loved and I wore those black block heels a ton throughout the year.
TWELVE
I wore hundreds of bathing suits throughout the year but this one right here was definitely my favorite. Madison and I woke up at sunrise, swam in the ocean, and then challenged ourselves to stay outside until dark. We made it, just barely, and it was one of the funnest days. Everything about this suit reminds me of that sweet summer haze I wish lasted all year long.
THIRTEEN
My first day of school outfit always makes it into my favorites post at the end of the year. This year I decided “go big or go home” since it was my last first day of school in the United States. This denim jumpsuit I had been saving from Windsor and pulled it out for the big day. Of course, I had to add a felt hat to complete the look. I have two, both from Lulus, and I styled them hundreds of times throughout the year. Both were investment pieces but boy do they spice up an outfit!
from First Day Of School 2021 // Kent State University
FOURTEEN
On my first night out for fall Fashion Week in NYC I slipped into this white, feather-trim dress and man did it make a statement. Not to mention I found heels to match just a week before my trip that matched perfectly. I had dozens of photographers stop me on the street for photos. It was truly one of my best. I’d wear this over and over again if I could!
from 6 Outfits I Wore To New York Fashion Week
FIFTEEN
On that same trip, the very next day, I wore my most iconic outfit of 2021— the floral go-go boots. Now I know I had the white and blue pair from earlier, but these pink floral boots truly broke the internet when I posted in them. They were a Dolls Kill find and they scored me more cat-calls and compliments on the streets of New York City than any outfit I’ve ever worn before. Perhaps it was becuase I found the perfect green bubble dress to match.
from 6 Outfits I Wore To New York Fashion Week
SIXTEEN
That jersey material I mentioned earlier? This dress was the same material and it was another fav. I’ve always experimented with color but I really dabbled into orange this year, realizing just how flattering it is on my skin tone. I wore this for a show + lunch in NYC and loved it.
from 10 Outfits To Wear In New York City
SEVENTEEN
Another sweet dress from this year was this floral Lulus maxi. I wore it sunflower picking with my little Logan and it was perfect for the occasion + a core memory of mine from this year. It was so simple and yet I wore dozens of dresses this style this year.
EIGHTEEN
In California, I broke the internet when I pulled out yet another pair of go-go boots. This time around I got a pair of pink heart boots and man did you all love these. For obvious reasons, they sure are fab. I paired them with this pink bishop dress from SheIn- thank god for affordable statement pieces. I had so many girlfriends borrow this and they all loved it.
from 20 Outfits To Wear In California This Fall
NINETEEN
While I did wear tons of crazy, out-there pieces this year most often you could find me in something of this sort which is why it only feels right to include it in my favorites post. This look includes five items I’ve been wearing nonstop: 1) Aerie crossover leggings (truly the best!) 2) Seamless cropped camis (preferable one in every color) 3) Three piece bags (been wearing these since January) 4) Platform Converse 5) Cropped Zip-Ups.
TWENTY
In Charleston, I pulled out this neon three-piece and have never felt more girl boss in my life. Truly a statement piece but one I would choose over and over again if I had to. Obsessed is an understatement.
from What To Wear In Charleston Fall 2021
TWENTY-ONE
As you can tell most of my favorites were from the summertime. I do love a good layered look but they just don’t photograph as well + I feel more myself with a dress and heels on. This holiday season however I wore this incredible jumpsuit and it was showstopping. Fashion Nova in general deserves an honorable mention this year as they were the backbone of my favorite outfits.
It’s certainly been a year full of good fashion and even better moments. I’m so grateful to share these outfits with you + to have such sweet memories associated with them all. Looking forward to another year of styling together. Be sure to check out those “top favorites” posts from the previous years—they sure are a blast from the past!
With love, McKenz
Top 16 Outfits of 2016 // Top 17 Outfit of 2017 // Top 18 Outfits of 2018 // Top 19 Outfits of 2019 // Top 20 Outfits of 2020
