2021 Most Worn Items

For final recap of 2021, I wanted to chat through my most worn items. Based on actual data, I’ve recorded that these items are what I found myself reaching for the most over the last 12 months. Personally, I find these retrospectives fascinating. A way to keep track of which pieces are core to my personal style and daily outfit uniforms. 

If you’re curious how I keep track, I have a spreadsheet I’ve been maintaining for a few years now. It’s a repeat of a habit I started age 20, as I set to reach a minimum of 30 wears per piece. Each day I’ll log my outfits in notes, and usually set aside some time once a month to input that data into my excel sheet. It’s been really eye-opening, especially as I previously often equated most recently worn, with most worn overall. Perspective is a tricky beast.

I prefer to do this by category than by the overall numbers, as otherwise we’d be heavy on bags and shoes. 

Everlane air tee

Worn in size XS 

No surprises here. I love Everlane’s air tees as a year round basic. They’re quite thin and breathable, as the name would suggest, making them the perfect choice during Australia’s hot summers. I have a few different colours, but I think the black is my most worn. The style is ever so slightly sheer, and I do find it runs on the larger side. I’ve had the size S before and it felt a little too wide across my shoulders (which are narrow, for what it’s worth). I really like the high crew neckline; perfect for showing off necklaces. In terms of the quality, they hold up incredibly well. You can expect some seam twisting, but this isn’t a deal breaker for me. Also love the sleeveless tank version, too.

COS black linen shirt

Worn in size 36 

Fuelled by the frequency of wear this got throughout November and December, I wasn’t really surprised to see this ended up as one of my most worn. My style has definitely started to lean into those more relaxed silhouettes; but still very much rooted in styles we would call wardrobe classics. As far as linen shirts go, this is excellent. The linen isn’t scratchy at all, despite the raw-like texture to the exterior. It’s washed really well, softening up more and more over time. The length is quite long, which I appreciate – it’s essentially a tunic. I tend to wear it open, with a singlet and shorts, or semi-buttoned with a half tuck into a skirt or some denim shorts.

Everlane alpaca knit

Worn in size S

Hands down one of my favourite items in my closet; I just adore the alpaca knits from Everlane. They have great texture to them, and are super soft. If you’re someone with sensitive skin, you may note that some colours do have a slight scratchiness to them. When this happens with my knits, I’ll wear a very thin long sleeve top underneath to act as a barrier. The fit is relaxed; worn here in a size small. Definitely one where I’d say stick true to size, or size down if you prefer something closer cut. My favourite colour is the ‘almond’. 

Ceres Life picnic dress

Worn in size S/M 

A little more beachy than what I’d usually wear, but I absolutely adore this dress. I purchased it around a year ago, and it already has so many fond memories attached to it.  I love the wrap front design, the puffed sleeves, and the longer length. Again, another beautiful linen piece, which has just softened up the more I’ve worn (and laundered) it. The design is really generous and forgiving, and makes a great option for expecting mums, or postpartum while nursing due to the wrap design. 

Assembly Label black denim shorts

Worn in size AU8 

I really wasn’t expecting to see these denim shorts pop up in my most worn. I’d forgotten just how much I’d worn them at the start of the year, instead reflecting more on styles I’d found myself reaching for recently, before doing the analysis. Funnily, these shorts were a pair I’d almost been ready to declutter a few years ago. The fit just wasn’t quite right. But that all changed after I had my son – and they became the perfect high waisted denim short for me. I found that these fit really large initially, then shrunk ever so slightly after going through the wash. The denim has faded over time which I really like – adds to the experience of wearing and cherishing them.

Isabel Marant Etoile black & cream floral skirt

Worn in size 36 (old)

Isabel Marant always seems to nail her skirt silhouettes. And when I spotted this number on sale, I felt like it’d slot right into my wardrobe. The detail really got me. The pin tuck pleats at the waist, the slightly asymmetrical hemline. I also love the black based floral print. It was one of the items that spurred on a moment of realisation for my style in 2021. That I don’t love when I’m wearing a print too close to my face. My features, especially in the winter, can be quite high contrast. I have naturally very dark hair, eyebrows and eyes; often enhanced by my complexion if I’ve not had much sun. Prints, ruffles, embellishment… anything “loud” near my face often tends to highlight this, which I don’t love. For that reason I tend to favour wearing prints on my lower half, opting to incorporate it through skirts and trousers.

H&M straight leg trousers

Worn in size UK8/EU36

No surprises here. These trousers were a rinse and repeat style throughout 2021. A good year rounder (depending on your climate), they’re one of the few styles I own which also work regardless of occasion. Suited and booted for the office; casual and cool for the weekend; or elegant and sophisticated for dinner and drinks. Proof that you don’t necessarily need to spend a lot to get a great piece for your wardrobe that’ll go the distance. There’s two iterations of this trouser; one has a fixed waistband and more of a woollen textured hand feel. The other has an elasticated waist, with a slightly more tapered fit through the leg. Both are brilliant.  

Witchery blue acid wash jeans

Worn in size AU8

One of my best finds, and sadly a jean that’s no longer available. Super soft, washed denim, in a slim straight fit. The button did fall off this, and I’m yet to fully repair them, but I have since purchased some denim buttons which I’m hoping will be an easy replacement.

Arket navy oversized blazer

Worn in size EU36

2021 was definitely the year that I started to lean back more into tailored. Relaxed tailoring at that, but blazers started to make more of an appearance. Given most of my outfits lean on the casual end of the spectrum, this was a simple way to dress things up, add visual interest, and an extra layer (when it was cold). I especially loved this navy wool-mix blazer from Arket. I got my usual size and it has the Goldilocks fit – nice and relaxed. The quality is really beautiful, and I’ve since gone on to purchase a couple further wool blazers from the brand, which I’ve been well impressed with. Great if you like that nonchalant Scandi vibe in your outfits.

Max Mara trench coat

Worn in size IT42 (a size up from my usual)

Another of my favourite purchases of 2021, and a piece that felt quite telling of the direction my style has been travelling in. I love a good trench; in my closet it’s the perfect transitional piece and also works quite well during the winter, too (on milder days). I’ve purchased a few Max Mara items of late, and the quality has been exactly what you’d expect from such a historic house, renowned for quality. This is a cotton gabardine so does often some water resistance if you get caught in the rain. I also appreciate that the belt has silver D rings attached, to stop it from slipping out of the loops easily! A subtle design detail, but effective.

YSL tribute slides

Worn in size EU41

There’s two shoe styles in my closet I tend to wear on repeat. These YSL slides, and my Vaneli two tone pumps. Both brilliant closet staples (for me), and truly feel reflective of my lifestyle. The YSL slides were a shoe I agonised over for years. I initially bought a “dupe” and found myself wearing them so much, that it made sense to splurge on the real thing. And I’m glad I did. I love the squared off toe, and the vintage-esque design of the strap across the foot. I sized up a full size as I have wider feet; a must for the patent but not as necessary with the leather. That said, it does provide me with a bit more comfort and length through the foot. These aren’t the type of shoe I’ll be wearing for a serious day of walking, but more so for regular, casual days where I’m just running about my business. If you’ve had your eye on these, you can usually pick them up on sale.

Quince croc crossbody bag

And finally, my most worn bag; the mock croc leather crossbody bag from Quince. Again another one of those pieces which has really felt quite reflective of my lifestyle. First of all, can we just appreciate what incredible value for money this bag is? The price is insane – full leather exterior with strap, with a cotton twill lining. My bag is every so slightly pinched at the top, where I’ll often grab it, but it’s not one I’m precious with. My son has dragged this around the house and used it as his own. Not a single scratch. Can’t recommend it more highly enough.