12 Unexpected Fashion Trends That Defined the Year of 2020

By now, it is well established by that 2020 was not the year or start to a new decade that everyone thought it would be a year ago.

The unfurling of the pandemic from China to the rest of the world (including fashion weeks in Milan and Paris) in late February and early March led to the initial lockdowns that would prove to have an impact not only on how the fashion industry would function — but what everyone would be wearing for the rest of the year.

As the year began, trends like pantsuits, statement boots and full-look leather ensembles were pointing towards a decidedly dressed-up, put-together aesthetic for 2020. Fall ’20 fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan and Paris had attendees in It heels like Bottega Veneta’s mesh and quilted leather square toe sandals and Amina Muaddi’s martini shapes, paired with luxe leather trenches and other textured statement coats and bold double breasted, tailored jackets worn with strapless pouch bags and oversized earrings.

But amidst lockdowns, those looks were quick to fizzle out as people searched for the fastest route to a tangible comfort that might also help them to feel even slightly more at ease during an uncertain time. After a casual summer that leaned into both the ethereal (hello, nap dress) and the outdoor sporty (for all the new hikers out there), most people are finding themselves back in their sweats as winter weather rolls in and the year comes to a close.

Here are the top 10 fashion and footwear trends that came to define the pandemic year of 2020.

1. Ugly sandals and slippers

As people stayed at home during the lockdown, the tolerance for high heels took a quick and steep nosedive. When restrictions were gradually lifted across Europe and the U.S., the usual strappy heels for weddings and other summertime events were replaced with the “ugly” sandal, which had already posited itself in the fashion vernacular in summer 2019. Sandal wearers reprised the look in 2020 with plenty of Birkenstock Arizonas but also Tevas, Suicokes and even shower sandals. For some, the slide slipper morphed into a summer version with a little less fluff.

To buy: Birkenstock Arizona sandal, $125. 

To buy: Suicoke Moto Mab sandal, $151 (was $232).

To buy: Opening Ceremony X Teva platform sandal, $50 (was $100). 

2. Sweatpants and sweat sets

What people chose to wear on their feet matched exactly what they wore on the rest of their bodies. With the newly indoctrinated Zoom lifestyle came the idea of the Zoom shirt: business on top, sweatpants on the bottom. Plenty also began to opt for the full-look sweat set as a method to make sweats look more put together in a monochrome palette.

To buy: Alo Yoga Accolade hoodie and sweatpant set, $225. 

To buy: Bandier WSLY tie dye sweat kit, $249. 

To buy: PJ Salvage thermal neck pullover (shown with matching pant), $42. 

3. Tie dye

The DIY print was already making a resurgence alongside the “ugly” sandal in the summer of 2019, but tie-dye’s crafty origins made it the perfect summer activity for the house- and yard-bound. It could be seen on everything from cropped tees and athletic leggings to, yes, ugly sandals and especially sweat sets.

To buy: Sala tie dye hoodie, $68. 

To buy: Bombas tie dye performance ski and snowboard socks, $24. 

To buy: EMU Australia Mayberry tie dye sheepskin slippers, $70. 

4. Hiking chic

Another socially-distanced activity had a profound impact on fashion in 2020. As more people ventured into the great outdoors over the summer, taking road trips to national parks and day excursions to nearby trails, items like Teva sandals, bike shorts, rugged socks and bucket hats suddenly seemed a little less crunchy. Most recently, 2020 FNAA Designer of the Year Salehe Bembury’s collaboration with outdoor brand Anta has raised the bar on making hiking boots as desirable as any sneaker around.

To buy: Merrell X Outdoor Voices Moab 2 Mid Eco Waterproof boot, $130. 

To buy: The North Face ’95 Retro Denali jacket, $200.

To buy: Patagonia Classic Retro-X fleece jacket, $200. 

5. Apocalyptic boots

Maybe Miuccia Prada knew what was coming. After all, the designer’s clompy, stompy post-apocalyptic combat boots  from the fall ’19 collection (you know, the ones with the nylon logo pouch on the ankle) were already a huge hit last fall. After selling out, a year ago, the brand has extended the commercial offering of the boot with a few different ankle heights. Other styles like the Dr. Martens Jadon platform combat boot, Versace’s hazmat-style rubbers and Bottega Veneta’s clownishly-large puddle boots all extoll the same ominous vibe that’s equal parts personal protective equipment and survival gear.

To buy: Dr. Martens Jadon boot, $180.

To buy: Schutz Xayane bootie, $158. 

6. Square toes

Most people ditched their heels in 2020 once lockdowns hit in March, but that didn’t stop brands from cleverly shifting the square-toe craze to flats, sensible mules and other lower heel styles. Bottega Veneta’s square-toe quilted plush leather heels were converted to flat slides and the aforementioned rubber shower slides even got the square treatment.

To buy: Other Stories square toe sandals, $130. 

To buy: Amina Muaddi Lupita slipper heels, $462 (was $650). 

To buy: Zara square toe sandals, $70. 

7. Knitwear everywhere

The elevated version of the sweat set was still all about comfort during uncertainty. Chunky knitted sweaters, a longtime wintertime staple, were completed with matching joggers and elastic flared knit bottoms, the latter a breakout item with matching bralette from Kim Kardashian West’s Skims line.

To buy: Hope Macaulay Autumnal Colossal Knit Handmade Cardigan, $244. 

To buy: & Other Stories Bee Button alpaca blend cardigan, $100. 

To buy: Monse Inside Out Fair Isle sweater, $890. 

8. The “nap” dress

Summer may have eased restrictions, but that didn’t exactly get anyone into evening gowns and tuxedos. For anyone even venturing into traditional femininity with just a semblance of what used to be called glamour, the “nap” dress — a glorified nightgown with a relaxed silhouette, teetering on the edge of publicly decent depending on the material used — was the answer. It was often worn with Birkenstocks.

To buy: Hill House Home Nesli Nap dress, $125.