If you weren’t already an avid H&M shopper before 2021, chances are high that you probably are by now. Despite an increasingly difficult market to succeed in, the high-street mega-brand has only gone from strength to strength this year, continually wooing us all with affordable basics, statement sellouts, conscious collections and, of course, all those collaborations.
The design team seems to have a knack for nailing exactly what we want to be wearing, and so, unsurprisingly, the brand is consistently one of the top-selling on Who What Wear UK. Of course, some items are more popular than others, and given we’re always nosy about what other people are buying, we thought you might also like a sneak peek into what H&M’s actual best sellers were in 2021.
As it turns out, you’re all as mad about expensive-looking basics as we are. Most of the list consists of perfect capsule wardrobe items like denim, a classic white shirt, simple blazers and the piece that outdid them all: the perfect ribbed vest top, which sold over 1400 (!) units through WWWUK articles in 2021.
You might have bagged them all or likely at least one item on this list. But if not, you’re in luck. Most of the original pieces are so classic they’re actually still in stock. Keep scrolling, then, to see how many of H&M’s best sellers you added to your wardrobe this year, and shop the rest (before they do sell out for good!).
Simple but effective. Summer 2021 was all about the vest top, and H&M’s version was the one we kept getting recommended thanks to the thick cotton and slightly racer straps. It comes in hundreds of colours (okay, seven), and at just £6, it’s well worth investing in every single one for next summer. (We’re still wearing ours right now as a layer under knits.)
This was the year everyone realised how useful wide-leg trousers can be. Comfy, chic and smart, they tick so many fashion boxes. It’s easy to see why H&M’s affordable, stretch-waist version was so popular. The brand does this style very well, so we’ve added some equally good alternatives below, too.
Cardigans don’t show any sign of leaving our wardrobes anytime soon. H&M’s ribbed version is the perfect relaxed, cosy number.
Everyone needs at least one cotton shirt in their wardrobe, ideally a few in a range of colours. It’s long been one of the most versatile wardrobe staples, and in 2021, it came fashion girl–approved, too. H&M’s oversized version is spot-on.
Who doesn’t love a stretchy, ribbed-knit dress? A basic that you’ll wear again and again, day and night. H&M’s strappy version is perfect for spring, but we’ve added the long-sleeve style below for right now.
We don’t know a fashion girl, or any girl for that matter, who didn’t have or want this flounce-detail dress in their wardrobe in summer. Undoubtedly popular thanks to its comfortable throw-on shape and affordable price tag. Most of the colours sold out instantly. There’s still a few sizes left in some of the colours since it’s winter, so we’d seriously advise stocking up while you can.
It’s no secret H&M denim is one of our high-street go-tos. These wide-leg jeans are on point for 2021’s favourite looser ’90s shape that shows no sign of slowing down into 2022.
The perfect blazer. Need we say more? Buy it in every colour while you still can.
Straight-leg jeans may have taken a back seat in fashion circles of late, but they’ll always be worth having in your closet thanks to their ever-flattering, timeless nature.
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