I know this is an overstatement, but lately, every time I leave the house, I utter the ubiquitous phrase “I have nothing to wear“. The reason being, over the course of the past year, with social events, trips, and fun nights out put on the backburner, all I seem to have bought was loungewear and house shoes. Based on the sheer number of stories Who What Wear has published about those two categories since March 2020, I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in this. 

With vaccinations on the rise, the weather getting nicer, and cautiously hopeful rhetoric from doctors filling the airwaves, we’re all looking forward to returning to some sense of normalcy this year. (Although it’s, of course, important to keep wearing masks and avoiding crowded places, among other guidance, as advised by the CDC.) And with this new normal comes a need for some new wardrobe essentials. If you’re of a similar mindset, read on to find out which items I recommend for reemerging back into the world, and shop them along with me.

My feet have become soft like the slippers that have encased them for the past year, so I’m easing back into wearing real shoes with low-heeled ones.

See-ya, sweatshirts. I’m stocking up on pretty warm-weather tops to wear with jeans and shorts. Luckily, there are tons of good ones to choose from right now.

Believe it or not, I’m ready to wear jeans again, but they have to be comfortable or I don’t want ’em.

I have no desire to try to stuff my belongings into a teeny little bag anymore, so I’m shopping for roomy shoulder bags that scream spring.

I pretty much wear jackets year-round (thanks to A/C), so I’m on the hunt for lightweight ones that will add polish to casual outfits.

If ever there were a time to wear mood-boosting colors, it’s now.

Cute, compliment-worthy accessories are at the top of my shopping list, including this adorable wine tote made for summer picnics.

I don’t recall buying many dresses last year. That’s about to change.

Here’s hoping that 2021 brings a few more beach days than the previous year.

Next up, 25 things I wear the most as a fashion editor living in the South.