Looking at the 2021 fashion trends, it soon becomes clear many designers approach 2021 from an optimistic view. Bright hues, all-white looks and sexy cuts predominated the collections. Discover the biggest 2021 fashion trends below.
Cover photo: © Louis Vuitton SS21 press release
2021 fashion trends
After a year of staying at home and wearing sweat pants all day, every day, designers collectively agreed that 2021 stands for change – optimistic change to be more precise. How we dress influences how we feel, something that has become more clear than ever during 2020. To cheer up the start of a new year – and, that is, a new beginning – designers created both over the top and classic looks. Decide which one suits your mood best.
After all, it’s time to get off that couch and immerse yourself with the cheerful newness of the 2021 collections. Therefore, we’ve listed the biggest 2021 fashion trends based on the latest collection of renowned designers.
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Open backs
Seen at: Hermès, Acne Studios, Victoria Beckham, Gabriela Hearst, Nanuschka
Nothing more sexy than an open-back dress or top. Countless designers opt for this silhouette, including Nanuschka, Hermès and even Acne Studios – of which the latter isn’t known for sexy cuts.
Comfortable layering
Seen at: Sportmax, Acne Studios, Mugler, Kenzo, Rick Owens, Jacquemus
Comfortable layering is one of the biggest fashion trends for 2021. It combines (post-)pandemic’s comfotable influences, combined with a sophisticated chic look. Acne Studios’ Jonny Johansson gave it a sexy spin.
All white
Seen at: Coperni, Jacquemus, Chanel, The Row, Fendi, Loewe
The all-white fashion trends should be viewed as a clean and fresh start of a new year. Starting with a clean slate doesn’t get any better, looking at The Row, Loewe and Jacquemus.
The new basics
Seen at: Burberry, Celine, Valentino, Jacquemus, Louis Vuitton, Stella McCartney, Max Mara
The new basics contain a deconstructed twist, seen at Burberry and Jacquemus, among others. If you’re looking for a concise capsule wardrobe, then these basics will soon become your new best friends. Think of deconstructed blouses, classic skirts with shortened hemlines and modern heritage blazers.
Max Mara’s SS21 collection was full of classics as well. The label’s Ian Griffiths did a shot in the dark when designing this collection at the start of the lockdown. While he didn’t know what the world would look like during its presentation, nor whether it would be possible to produce the collection, he started to dive into his Renaissance books. His love for painters from this area formed the starting point of his Spring/Summer 2021 collection – resulting in a presentation full of modern classics.
Recommended: Best of Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2021
Craftsmanship
Seen at: Dior, Fendi, Valentino, JW Anderson, Chanel, Jil Sander, Louis Vuitton, Koché
Maria Grazia Chiuri set the tone for a new wave of craftsmanship with her Dior SS21 collection. The designer rethought the role of clothes at the present time and how they interact with the body. Accompanied by the sounds of ‘Sangu di Rosa’, models walked the ecclesiastical runway, dressed in clothes in which ancestral and modern techniques played an important role; from warp-printing to tie-dye.
Koché did something similar. Christelle Kocher staged her show in the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, the park she has spent so much time during lockdown. During these walks, she imagined her Spring/Summer 2021 collection; one full of crafts and embroideries. Just like many fellow designers, Kocher broadened her interest in crafts during quarantine. This interest resulted in hand-painted signature slip dresses. Furthermore she combined sporty influences with lace; printed as well as the real deal.
At last, Louis Vuitton by Giovanni Gianonni showed love for ancient crafts as well, but with a more modern twist. Embellished pants and workwear jackets were decorated with crocheted details and hand-knitted items.
Beach and ocean-inspired looks
Seen at: Versace, Dior, Altazurra, Loewe
‘Over eighty percent of the ocean is completely unmapped and unexplored. A far greater percentage of the moon’s surfaces have been studied and recorded than the ocean floor has. The deep blue waters remain a mystery.’ Reason enough for Donatella Versace to transport the watcher to an underwater ‘Versacepolis‘, unveiling her latest collection. As the world resiliently adapts to the new normal, this sub-surface show setting is an opportunity for the Versace community to indulge in a little fantasy and dive headfirst into a dreamscape. “I wanted to create something disruptive, something that could be in tune with what has changed inside all of us. To me that meant dreaming of a new world. A world made of popping colors and fantastic creatures and a world in which we can all coexist peacefully.“
Donatella Versace wasn’t the only one who drew inspiration from the sea and underwater world. Dior, Altazurra and Loewe created collection with beach-inspired looks and items as well. From straw bags to ensembles that would work well on a regular beach day.
Deconstructed little black dress
Seen at: Jacquemus, DSquared2, Jil Sander, Khaite, Rosetta Getty, Victoria Beckham
The ‘naked dress’ played a huge role in many collections, including slinky lines, body-con influences and many surprising cut-outs. Jil Sander and Jacquemus stole the show with their new take on sexy slip dresses. According to Moda Operandi and Net-a-Porter, the latter’s black cut-out dress was one of the most popular items on their pre-order list.
Oversized pants
Seen at: DSquared2, Louis Vuitton, Chloé, Acne Studios, The Row, Stella McCartney, Victoria Beckham, Nina Ricci, Balenciaga
Nina Ricci, Louis Vuitton and Chloé bring back the super-oversized-power-pants – as we like to refer to them. It may mean the end of an ere in which skinny jeans have dominated the streets. According to Victoria Beckham, jeans will be bigger than big, hinting to the seventies of the last century. We can’t suppress our excitement.
Hardcore pink
Seen at: Jacquemus, Chanel, Balmain, Lutz Huelle, Chloé, Isabel Marant
After Millenial Pink had slowly drifted away from our wardrobes, bright pink hues make their comeback in 2021. As one of the biggest 2021 fashion trends, the color played a huge role in many collection. Chanel showed hints of pink in its latest collection, where Jacquemus launched an entirely pink capsule collection for the holidays (which was, of course, sold out immediately). Overall, we saw an explosion of different kinds of pink; from watermelon to fuchsia and Barbie-pink. It probably refers to an optimistic point of view for 2021.
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