2021 was the year I started pulling myself together and tried to adjust to this new version of normal (I hate when people say that but how else do we describe what we’ve been going through?). Although I still spent alot of my time indoors, I also started going out a little more than I did in 2020 and that meant that I got the opportunity to wear more of my clothes. (Yay!) My sweatpants collection is by far the category that has grown the most, but I also managed to collect a few stand out pieces, some of which I’ve been looking to get for years. My favourite pieces I purchased in 2021… in no particular order.
Style
Mango combat boots | These Mango boots are top 3 my favourite purchases of 2021. Prada’s Monolith combat boots have been on my wishlist for over a year now, but I simply could not justify parting with around R30 000 on one pair of shoes, so I finally managed to find a pair which ticked the same boxes as the Prada pair but were not a fake version or a dupe. They had to be calf height, made of real leather and have a platform or lug sole. If you remember I mentioned chunky boots were on my wishlist in this post. I don’t only wear them in winter but on chilly spring/summer days paired with dresses and skirts. They just work as an alternative to heels and add a masculine juxtaposition to an otherwise very feminine outfit.
The Timeline Naledi Dress | Made of the softest linen, featuring criss cross openings on the waist and ruching to sculpt an hourglass figure, the Naledi dress is absolute perfection. I bought this in both black and mint and was very tempted to get her in white as well but decided to just look the other way. You can dress this up with a killer pair of heels, or pair it down with a pair of flats or even sneakers.
Marine Serre top | Another wishlist item realized. I channeled my inner Beyonce and pulled the trigger on a Marine Serre crescent print top. I asked a few women who I already had the top what the sizing situation was like and I still managed to get my size wrong. I ended up getting a medium which doesn’t give me the skin tight look I was initially going for but it does mean that I can wear it tied into a crop top or wear it without a layer on top and not feel like everyone can see every nook and cranny on my body. I will be getting another one of these in another colour and this time I’ll be sure to get a small.
Loewe sunglasses | I’ve wanted these Loewe sunglasses since 2018. I planned on getting them on my trip to Paris in 2019 but could not find them in white so I gave up hope and settled for another Loewe style. So when I happened to stumble on stock on the Loewe site I didn’t waste time pulling the trigger. These are definitely not an everyday pair of glasses with the square, stark white frame and oval metallic lenses, but I still get a ton of wear out of them. One thing I can tell you about Loewe sunglasses is the quality is supreme. If you are on the market for designer sunglasses I would highly recommend considering any Loewe pair. They are sturdy and are worth every cent. I currently have 3 pairs in my collection and don’t regret any of them.
Coach Pillow Tabby | I’ve been quite intentional with my designer handbag purchases because I’m trying to make sure I have a good foundation in place to cover the bases, plus they are expensive so it’s important for me to get good cost per wear. Since I am still new to designer handbags, I need to make sure that every purchase I make fills some sort of gap in my wardrobe. I fell inlove with the squishy pillow tabby when I saw it online but I needed to try it on in person first to determine whether it was something I wanted to invest in. I intially tried it on in pink and knew I needed it. I ordered it in cream from another store because I didn’t have any light coloured handbags and cream is alot more verstaile than pink. Its soft and squishy and looks so chic carried under your arm. I absolute adore the brushed gold hardware on the bag. I think it complements the cream colour beautifully.
Louis Vuitton Bumbag | My first Louis Vuitton handbag! I went back and forth between the Bumbag, the Multi Pochette Accessoires and the Palm Springs Mini for months before making a decision. I was very clear that I needed something laid back and casual because I really wanted my first Louis bag to be something I used often. I wanted to get my cost per wear on my first bag and after a year I can comfortably say I have. I use this handbag almost every week since I got it. Its my errand/shopping bag because I can wear it across my chest and be hands free, I can sling across my shoulder if I want to wear it as a shoulder bag or use the the leather top handle and carry it like a top hand bag. Usually my pricy bags live in their dustbags in the wardrobe for protection but I use this so much it never sees the inside of my closet.
Yeezy Foam RNNR | This is by far the most used item on the list. I took the plunge and got a pair of Foam Runners last year. They are so comfortable I wore them everyday for 2 months straight. This was in the height of my sweatpants season so my uniform would consist of an oversized tshirt, sweatpants and my Yeezys (I’d grab my Louis Vuitton Bumbag if I was leaving the house). These are definitely a statement piece and not for people who want to blend into the crowd. People have stopped me to ask me what they are. They are like a cool pair of Uggs and they are just as comfortable. I cannot wait to travel because these are the perfect travel shoes. At the end of the day you just need to wipe them down with a damp cloth and some cleaner and they’re like new. I bought these on the reseller market so I ended up paying a premium, but either way they were worth it. I’d like to get another pair but I’m hoping I can get them directly from Adidas this time around. Size up if you’re looking to get a pair because they do run small.
Skincare
Ren Skincare | I purchased my first REN skincare product earlier last year because I wanted to level up on my skincare game. It does not come cheap. I purchased the Glow Skin Renewal Kit in Feb which contained full sizes of the Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic, the GlycolLactic Radiance Renewal Mask and the Overnight Dark Spot cream. My 2 favourite products which are now part of my night time skincare routine are the AHA Toner and Overnight cream, both of which I have repurchased. Expanding my skincare range and making sure I have products which actually work and are readily available in SA is top of my list of priorities.
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base | I started wearing make up again last year, and although I didn’t need a new primer, I heard such great things about the Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base that I HAD to give it a shot. It is on the pricey side but its worth it. Its a combination of skincare to hydrate and moisturize your skin and a primer to prepare your skin for foundation. I have oily skin so I was apprehensive about layering on a rich moisturizer after my skincare routine but this doesn’t leave me oily or greasy. Instead it hydrates my skin, leaves me with a natural glow and gives my foundation the perfect canvas to cling to. Once all my other primers are finished, I’ll be sticking to this Bobbi Brown one.
Let me know what some of your favourite purchases of 2021 were.
