Fashion's Future: 10 Trends From Fall 2021

During the Fashion's Future: 10 Trends From the fall of 2021, we will have completed a full year of no-contact, virtual fashion weeks. What have we learned from a year spent watching runway shows from behind our laptops? It's important to remember that digital media are now so much smaller than fashion itself, that wireless Internet connections are no longer reliable, as is the case today, and blue-light protection glasses are a must.

In trying to understand the wildly different Fashion's Future: 10 Trends From Fall 2021

 collections, one concept emerges: We seek garments that appeal to us on a personal level, regardless of the expression. During the Prada show, models clutched sequin wraps; at Dries Van Noten, dancers clutched garments to their coifs; and Marine Serre friends and family clasped their loved ones in intimate films and images for the look book. The icy chicness and the assertions of intention which defined 2010s fashion have now been replaced by warmth, togetherness, and usefulness.

Different people will imagine different uses for the coats. Some might see Chloé's outdoorsy patchwork puffers as useful. Miu Miu's charming and warming pastel coveralls may be seen as useful as well. Those who prefer knitwear will find comfort and Fashion's Future: 10 Trends From Fall 2021 style in bodysuits from Givenchy and Courrèges, as well as blankets and wraps from brands like JW Anderson, Stella Jean, and Jil Sander. Those who consider dressing well an essential task will find bolshy-nice dresses from Simone Rocha, Prada, Paco Rabanne, and Rick Owens, as well as sensual shapes from Louis Vuitton, Patou, and Roksanda. In addition to roomy new jeans at Christian Dior and Balenciaga and pleated skirt suits at Molly Goddard, Max Mara, and Calvin Luo, even monograms have been toned down, with new logo prints at Chanel, Versace, and Balmain. With the rising generation of millennial power spenders comes the return of escapist aughts nostalgia; forget the roaring twenties, the coming decade will be remembered as a great scourge of partying—the times of Paris, Lindsay, and Nicole.

In the end, Fashion's Future: 10 Trends From Fall 2021 not only leaves you with a lot to digest, but it won’t conclude as succinctly as previous seasons. Maybe that’s a good thing too. Fashion must mirror our times and embrace smaller, more individual notions of style. Because of this, and like everything else as well, there are countless outfits that appear completely at odds with one another: Show some flesh or cover it up! Have a comfortable lifestyle or go crazy!

One year ago, we tried to assume what the 2020s would look like. After this season, we anticipate a time of rebellious personal styles and the revival of subcultures. That will give us something interesting to talk about behind our screens—or maybe even in person again soon.

Therapy with collage

The designer team at Coach includes Gabriela Hearst, Marine Serre, and Stuart Vevers, who patch together fabric scraps in order to create upcycled tees, dresses, and coats. These hand-collaged garments not only showcase a sustainable attitude toward recycling but also reference a new and idiosyncratic aesthetic that seeks to express yourself through Fashion's Future: 10 Trends From Fall 2021 style and less about who you are as an individual. It's heartfelt fashion that also has harmony.

It’s Life’s Cabaret “Dress for It”.

It seems that style and a certain bit of glamour are spreading throughout Europe. It's a fresh, new idea that's enticing and gorgeous, however, still not without a certain bite. Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons bet on sequins and stoles, while Dries Van Noten goes for greater volumes and glitz, and Rokh continues this trend with tinsel at a more surreal proportion.

One-Piece Wonders

What can a catsuit do? In the hands of Tom Ford and LaQuan Smith, it's the sexiest—and sheerest—garment around. There is a Fashion's Future: Trends From Fall 2021 onesie for every taste and style. Yuan Wang, Ottolinger, and Maisie Wilen created a surprising one piece, while Erdem’s ballet-inspired cover-up is right on target for a week of lounging.

Pleats, Please

Power suits depicted in recent seasons have morphed into quirky yet elegant pleated skirt sets. Should the look ever return, options from 3.1 Phillip Lim, Plan C, and Schiaparelli are breezily stylish and suitable for office wear, while Chopova Lowena, Collina Strada, and Arthur Arbesser offer bolder takes on it.

Signs of the Times

But branding is still a big game, even if attention-getting logomania is falling out of fashion.

 Donatella Versace imagined a key print as the logo for her Fashion's Future: Trending From Fall 2021 collection, Givenchy’s sheer separates were embroidered with an interlocked G, and Kim Jones updated the FF logo onto slips and stockings at Fendi.

Pop Princesses

Retrospect, especially among millennials, has reached fever pitch, taking us back to the days of It-girl–aughts fashion. Alyx, Conner Ives, Roberto Cavalli, and Blumarine are serving up Sunset Strip comfort in the form of pastel minidresses and crystal tiaras There are little details that could turn anyone into Britney, Xtina, Mariah, and Dua Lipa—or to their 2020 counterparts Rina Sawayama and Dua Lipa. XS is very cool, especially so now.

Wrap Party

It is true that blankets double as garments. Jonathan Anderson’s artful throws absolutely fulfill their dual purpose. Ponchos and capes made a big comeback at Gabriela Hearst, Alberta Ferretti, and Missoni. During this time, Stella Jean helped to employ artisans to produce her scenic wraps, which were made by the Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Ski Bunnies

The natural world has provided many with respite during the pandemic. By the time next winter comes around, we will be expressing the desire to be up on the slopes. Miu Miu and Thom Browne set their shows on mountaintops, with puffers and accessories to match, whereas Givenchy, Christian Dior, and Chanel showcased fair Isle knits and shearling jackets that would go well after skiing. Just add some powder.

Flashbulbs

Bubble-like shapes started trending early during the lockdowns. For Fashion's Future: Trending From Fall 2021, the silhouette veered from supple, Romeo Gigli-style cocoons to more pumped-up ovoid forms, with an emphasis on the hips and thighs. Featured as both feminine and protective, these new orbs are comfortable and forgiving when contrasted with the skintight silhouettes seen elsewhere.

High-Stress Jeans for Lounging

The day of sweatpants has passed. Slouchy, wide-leg jeans made an appearance in the fall looks at Balenciaga, Y/Project, and the up-and-coming London label Jawara Alleyne. Feel free to consider these big, durable trousers the ideal pants we can wear to get things done in response to the pandemic.