Favourite Outfits of 2021 + Style With a Smile Link Up

Well, here we are at the end of the year…and what a year it’s been! (I think I said that at the end of last year too!) I really hope that this time next year we’ll finally be putting Covid behind us – even if that means it’s here to stay and we need booster jabs every year.

for the final post of the year I’m taking a look back at my favourite outfits of 2021

Although I don’t make New Year’s resolutions, I do like to have goals and make plans for the year ahead. Getting back to doing volunteering at the wildlife hospital is high on my list of priorities as it fell by the wayside this year due to work and Covid. On a more frivolous front, I will continue to push style boundaries and dress to please myself without giving a damn about what other people think! And on that note, for the final post of the year I’m taking a look back at my favourite outfits of 2021.

January

When I first collaborated with Salamander Shirts a year ago, I instantly fell in love with the quirky and charming prints. Since then, I’ve started modelling for the company which I’m delighted about, so it seems fitting to choose this Grenouille cat print cotton shirt, styled with red trousers and a thrifted tartan jacket, as my favourite January outfit. See the original post here.

February

2021 was the year I really got into vintage fashion. I picked up some fantastic pieces on eBay and Etsy, including this gorgeous orange floral print top. Green and orange is one of my favourite colour combinations, but I also added some yellow into the mix. See the full post here.

March

Over the last year I’ve purchased several knitted and crocheted vests. I think they look really cute over a roll neck top for a retro vibe. This pink and red outfit would be a great option for Valentine’s Day…which isn’t too far away!

April

This vintage dress is one of my best finds on eBay. I love the style, the print and the fit. Unfortunately it does have some marks on it that didn’t come out with a dry clean, but it’s still one of my favourite dresses. Read more about it here.

May

May was a very colourful month, with lots of vintage and retro outfits so it was hard to pick a favourite. However, this brown and orange floral print maxi has to take the top spot. It’s a little loose on the waist but I love it with the tan belt. I could wear it with tights, boots and a long cardigan during the colder weather – in fact I may do that very soon!

June

June was another strong month for vintage outfits and bold prints. This purple vintage maxi was another fabulous eBay bargain. You never know how vintage dresses are going to fit, so buying them on eBay is a gamble. Fortunately, in this case it paid off as this is definitely one of my favourite outfits of 2021.

July

After almost two years of being unable to go on holiday we made it to Spain in July! It was definitely worth the wait as we had a fantastic time with friends. I bought this orange dress just before we went as I wanted to treat myself and it proved to be a smart move. You know how I love orange!

August

You may be thinking it’s odd that I’m wearing a coat and boots in August; well, to be perfectly honest it wasn’t coat weather, but I’d been waiting for so long for this coat to go on sale that when it did I bought it immediately. I couldn’t wait for the weather to cool down (not that August was particularly warm) so I wore it (briefly) anyway. I also bought the top at the same time.

September

Here I am proving the point that sparkles are for any time of the year! This green lurex top is the perfect partner for the upcycled sunglasses from Hollywood Vintage on Etsy. Rainbow shoes and bag finish off this joyful outfit.

October

Having beaten all the odds we actually managed to go on holiday a second time this year – not to Barbados as planned, but to Madeira. We all had Covid at various stages from the end of September through to November, meaning we had to change plans. On the plus side, I got to spend some time with my dad in Madeira and we will try for Barbados again in April! I dressed for the seaside in my British Retro saucy postcard dress…ironically on the only day that it wasn’t sunny! It looks more like a British seaside holiday, which make the dress quite appropriate I suppose!

November

Gearing up for the festive season is a serious business for a sparkle junkie! Gold, sequins, pearls, velvet and diamante – I threw everything at this outfit. Remember: more is more and less is a bore!

December

You may have been expecting me to pick another sparkly outfit for December. However, I am totally in love with this suit from The Hippie Shake and the orange faux fur bag from Fenella Smith London. I think I hit peak sparkle in November, so there was no point in trying to better it!

I still haven’t decided what to wear on New Year’s Eve – I have a few options but will probably decide at the last minute, depending on my mood and the weather. When we were confined to home last New Year’s Eve I dressed up in my other suit from The Hippie Shake…even though I was only listening to the radio on my own for much of the evening! Dressing up is good for the soul, whatever you’re doing and whoever you’re with, so I’ll be throwing on something that brings me joy, that’s for sure!

I wish you all a very Happy New Year and thank you for your support over the last year. Here’s to a great 2022!

This is where I link up!

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Last week’s favourites were…

Kathrine Edridge, Rena of Fine, Whatever and Michelle of My Bijou Life!