Shop Like an Editor is a Who What Wear column where our senior editor Kristen Nichols shares her latest fashion finds.
I’m back with another edition of Shop Like an Editor, rounding up all of the pieces I’m wearing IRL. This time around, I’m diving into all of the trends I’m currently trying as we transition from summer to fall. My wardrobe generally isn’t very trend driven, but lately, I’ve been taking inspiration from the runways and street style scene to add some new pieces into my closet. While they definitely can be classified as trends, they’re also pieces that I plan on wearing for many seasons ahead.
My current finds include everything from the impossible-to-find sneakers I had to hunt down to the vegan-leather blazer I’ve been living in and the polo top that launched a million DMs. (Yes, it’s that good.) Ahead, discover 12 editor-approved trends I’m wearing in 2021 and shop the exact items I’ve been wearing—from affordable finds to investment buys. If you’re looking for a new-season wardrobe refresh, there are plenty of finds to add to your cart.
The polo-top trend is one I instantly knew I wanted to wear. I grew up wearing them and never thought of the tops as cool, but now that designers have reimagined them, I can’t get enough. I may be biased, but this version from Who What Wear Collection is just so good. I love the two-tone finish in black and cream—a combo this fits seamlessly into my wardrobe. Here, I’m styling it with a pair of trouser-like jeans and my go-to Chanel slingbacks.
Suddenly, New Balance 550 basketball sneakers have taken over on the fashion set. We can thank Teddy Santis from Aimé Leon Dore for this. After he designed his own custom styles, the sneakers have reached cult status. The resurrected 550s are selling out everywhere and are nearly impossible to find, but I hunted them down in my size, and I’m so happy that I secured a pair.
If you read my stories on Who What Wear, you probably know that I have a soft spot for ’90s fashion. The clean lines, neutral palettes, timeless silhouettes—all of it. A leather blazer is the latest ’90s-inspired piece I added to my closet, and I’m telling anyone who will listen to buy one. It pulls together just about any look I’m wearing, even if it’s just jeans and a T-shirt.
Another accessory trend I can’t get enough of? Baseball hats. I’m specifically loving the classic baseball caps from Polo Ralph Lauren, designed with the brand’s iconic polo logo, that tap into the preppy trend that’s been on the rise over the last year. Styled with a simple tee, a leather blazer, jeans, and boots, it’s a great off-duty look I already know will be my fall uniform.
I grew up in Arizona, so cowboy boots are a shoe style I’ve definitely had experience wearing in the past. Sometimes, I find them to be challenging to wear IRL, but the modern interpretations on the market work seamlessly in my wardrobe. This style from Mango, finished with a square toe and soft suede, is the perfect style to pair with jeans.
You might notice that I tend to stick to neutrals, but I couldn’t resist trying out the green color trend that has absolutely taken over 2021. I particularly love this shade of lime green spotted in Song of Style’s recent drop. Here, I’m wearing the brand’s cloudlike terry-cloth crop top paired with nylon shorts. I’m officially a convert and plan to add more green pieces into my wardrobe stat.
Much like everyone else, my shoe wardrobe in the last year has revolved around comfy slides and sneakers. Recently, I’ve been craving some fun in the footwear department, though. Enter: “revenge” heels. My favorite take? These sharply pointed Blade Pumps from Saint Laurent.
How stunning are these Saint Laurent heels?
Tailored pants have been my obsession recently. Relaxed trousers are a personal favorite, but I’ve also been gravitating to split-hem styles. This pair from Musier already sold out, but the brand also offers this stunning black version. I love that the split-hem pants really let your shoes shine, so they’re particularly great if you have a new pair you want to highlight in your look.
A classic trench coat is always a great investment. While I’ve owned one for years, it’s on the shorter side and falls above the knees. Recently, I’ve been gravitating toward the longer styles and couldn’t pass up this affordable version from Mango. It’s the ultimate fall staple I’ll be wearing all season long.
Ski-inspired fashion was one of the major trends on the F/W 21 runways. Since I live in L.A., the weather doesn’t exactly welcome all of the cool puffer coats and Moon Boots I’ve been eyeing, so après-ski knits are the way I’m interpreting the trend. As always, no one does it better than Jacquemus.
I never thought I’d see the day, but I’m officially on board with the hot-pants trend. After spotting all of the cool ribbed shorts on Instagram, I was inspired to test-drive the look for myself.
The key component that made me a bit more comfortable wearing the pantless look? An oversize blazer.
It was only a matter of time before I tried out the cutout trend. Cutouts have been absolutely everywhere for the last several seasons, and we’ve seen so many cool takes on the trend. I’m loving this version from With Jéan that places the cutouts along the side of the dress. While I would normally think to pair a dress like this with heels, I think a pair of knee-high boots balances out the look.
