The NET-A-PORTER team’s ultimate SS21 Wish List
With the hope of lockdown restrictions loosening in London and across the world, the NET-A-PORTER team is excited by the prospect of being reunited with friends and family and resuming at least some of the leisurely pursuits we’ve missed so much over the past year. Combine this cautious optimism with the launch of a new season and it goes without saying that our SS21 Wish Lists have been growing – exponentially in many cases. Curious to know what we’re coveting? Read on to find out…
Kay Barron, fashion director
“High-waisted, wide-leg pants are my go-to alternative to denim. Relaxed, flattering and elongating (my little legs need all the help they can get), they look as good with a block heel as they do with sneakers. I pair them with a second-skin knit, simple fitted T-shirt or tank in order to balance the proportions.”
Lea Cranfield, chief buying and merchandising officer
“This past year has taught us many things, one being that a little self-care is good for the soul – and often very much needed. But it’s not just our skin, hair and hands that need to be looked after – so must our feet, and what better way to celebrate the warmer days ahead than with an immaculate pedicure – either DIY or at the hands of an expert, if lockdown restrictions allow – finished with the brightest red nail polish you can find? Once my feet are properly prepped, I’ll be finishing every outfit with a pair of this season’s chic, modern mules. Beautiful designs by the likes of Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta already have me in a spring state of mind.”
Megan Logue, acting senior fashion features editor
“I really leaned in to lockdown dressing during the pandemic, and while I am excited for the pace of life to pick up again, I don’t think I’m ready to abandon easy elegance in favor of all-out glamour just yet. Which is why the gargantuan shirts that were debuted on the runway for SS21 immediately shot straight to the top of my Wish List – particularly Valentino’s exuberant magenta design. I’ll be layering this mood-enhancing piece over wide-leg pants for work, pairing with sports shorts for sunny days spent in the park and, hopefully, shrugging it on over a simple black bikini for my first post-lockdown vacation.”
Sarah Bailey, brand director
“I’ve always had a penchant for a midi skirt. The remastered styles that have caught my eye this season – at Victoria Beckham, Bottega Veneta and Prada – are proudly A-line, with exactly the right dose of ’60s and ’70s color and kick that my lockdown-fatigued wardrobe craves. I’ll be wearing mine with a cropped statement knit in an uplifting hue.”
Natasha Wray, acting senior fashion editor
“An It-bag is the ultimate outfit elevator and, if you choose correctly, it can become an heirloom piece. As someone who has a very minimal wardrobe and basically sticks to a uniform of jeans, sweatsuits, hoodies and androgynous coats, I feel that a statement bag allows me to add personality to my staples. I still love the oversized Balenciaga shopper I treated myself to five years ago. It reminds me of a special time in my life and adds polish to every look, which, in my eyes, makes it a true investment piece.”
Alice Casely-Hayford, content director
“I couldn’t be more excited about the spring awakening and the reopening of the world as we all start to make tentative summer plans to see our family and friends again. After far too long in the same daily uniform of denim, linen and knitwear, I long to feel fully put together in a suit. I’m not quite ready to step into anything too rigid and structured, having become used to looser silhouettes and more diaphanous materials throughout lockdown. Relaxed tailoring is the perfect way to transition out of loungewear and into something a little more formal and exciting. For the next few months, you’ll find me wafting around in beautifully cut, wide-legged pants and a matching jacket worn over a simple T-shirt, finished off with sandals and gold jewelry.”
Chloe Waller, shopping editor
“The bohemian blouse is an absolute closet staple for me. It’s a timeless piece that works season after season, and is a smart investment in any wannabe Isabel Marant girl’s wardrobe. This blouse is the epitome of Parisian cool: by day, it’s the perfect pretty partner for blue denim; after dark, it contrasts excellently with leather pants. I’m particularly looking forward to wearing mine with white denim shorts and gladiator sandals on hot summer weekends – dreamy.”
Libby Page, senior market editor
“I have used the past year to really re-assess my shopping habits. My new mantras are ‘less is more’ and ‘timeless over trends’. Investing in forever watches has always been my ultimate goal – heritage pieces I can pass down through my family. I bought my first – the Hermès ‘Heure H’ – several months ago, and next on my list is the beautiful and classic Cartier ‘Tank’ watch. I love the tan strap; it complements everything in my existing wardrobe. Although it is new, it has a vintage vibe that I love.”
Viktorija Tomasevic, shopping assistant
“The little black dress got a contemporary makeover for SS21 – think architectural lines, strap details and cut-outs that reveal and conceal. As seen in collections by the likes of Khaite, Jacquemus and Christopher Esber, the modern black dress is the ultimate post-lockdown staple to have in your wardrobe. I will be wearing mine with strappy sandals, gold jewelry and sun-kissed skin for a subtly sexy evening look.”
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The models featured in this story are not associated with NET-A-PORTER and do not endorse it or the products shown