Decoding Runway Trends in 2021

With majority of people getting back to the physical mode than virtual in most parts of the world post pandemic, you would also love to upgrade your wardrobe for work and other important occasions. To make it easier for you, we have bookmarked trends in 2021 inspired by major fashion weeks, to give you tips on wardrobe upgrade.

It is time for everyone to buckle up and walk in style, after the prolonged lockdown period, which had brought the world to a standstill in 2020. The previous year, this invisible enemy named coronavirus had taken away all inspirations of getting up, dressing up and showing up. But here we are with the new spirit for embracing everything trendy and stylish. To make the task easier for you we have brought latest trends which were prominent this year on the Paris, London, New York and Milan Fashion Week runway, so that you can illuminate your wardrobe.

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Bold & bright colors

The fall 21 in Paris Fashion Week was all about bright and bold colors on the runway. Forget golden or butter yellow, this year it was yolk yellow that was in. It had a runny streak in the French capital. And of course, rose petal red, which was also predominant in the fashion week for both dresses as well as lips, is a color that adds up glamour without fail. Be it a bachelor- style group date or making strong style statement in those business meetings, this rich red hue enhances drama and romance in the otherwise boring life. Probably the French designers wanted to make their first impression lasting long on the runway and these two bright colors came for rescue. A few other striking colors, which took the runway by the storm, were parrot greens, cobalt blue, aqua and hot pinks.

Trendy bralettes

The year 2021 can be considered as the one, redefining the fashion trends- the year of renewal and readjustments. It is time for shedding the cocoons that had covered us in the ‘work from home’ era. Given that the London fashion week was organized amid the autumn/winter season, the out wear was pretty much absent from the virtual runway. In this case the designers carved their collections down to the underpinnings, for a fresh start for all of us, keeping in view the comfort required for our gradual come back in the new normal. It’s time to come back to the cozy bralettes in all shapes, sizes and colors. The very stylish bralettes were conspicuous on the runway, in all ‘big four’ fashion weeks and not only in the LFW.

Audacious power suits and zipped pullovers

Despite the pandemic situation, the designers still managed to maintain their creativity levels. As mentioned earlier, work from home and lockdowns had impacted the creative output of the designers. Previous year had seen experiments in designer clothes worn on the top. Therefore, the designers created clothes, suitable for our online meetings and work from home requirements. However, the attires worn below the torso are gradually coming back after being out of the picture for an exceptionally long time. So here is a pro-tip, power suits are very much in this year. They were predominant in the New York Fashion Week too, that was recently concluded. These beautiful suits are not only perfect for important business meetings but are also a great choice for events like intimate weddings functions and parties. You can also give a twist to your romantic dinner date by wearing these power suits that ensure your strength. In case, if you want to carry on with ‘stay at home’ status, then zipped pullover are recommended. They emerged as true winter style statements, on which designers at New York Fashion week fully leaned, for fall 2021.

Puff sleeves

We all love being a bit extra! don’t we? This probably inspired the fashion houses to keep ‘the more the merrier’ outlook for creating those dramatic puff sleeves. Puff sleeves at the London Fashion Week, reminded all of us how beautifully bold and uncompromising fashion feels like. This fall the Brits love for puffed sleeves was very visible on the runway. Even the Milan Fashion Week gave us biggest selection of statement sleeves ranging from fully ruffled wool sleeves, bomber jackets, elongated drop-shoulder mutton sleeves, so on and so forth.

Tempting boots, candy slide sandals & high heels

Perhaps there is something more appealing than usual for us this time to decide on footwears. Shoes which were earlier a necessity, felt like luxury this time, as we spent most of our time in cozy flip-flops and socks for a prolong time. But not anymore! If a thing that was very dominant on the ramp in all major fashion weeks in 2021, that was variety of boots and high heels. But at the same time, the fashion stores completely understood the discomfort which we might feel due to sudden transformation from cozy slippers to boots and stilettoes, therefore they also showcased candy slide sandals. The Candy Slide Sandals are open toe sandals with a low or no heel at all.

The fashion weeks, be it virtual or physical, were heavy on boots. The boots were mostly done in black and caramel-colored leather with a detailed belt or zip, that gave a subtle quality to the texture. There were Yeti boots, snow boots and square shaped boots all over the runway, perfectly matched with double-breasted blazers, power suits and maxi dresses. A high heel sandal with ankle strap which was showcased in Milan Fashion Week’s Fall 21 season, will be a perfect choice for dinner parties or work alike. The glossy candy slide sandals can feel like fun and easy entry into getting back into formal shoes.

Splendid gloves

Call it our special attention to remain ultra-hygiene or something else, these days from celebrities to common people; everyone is wearing gloves, while headed outside. But hey! Who told you to wear those boring white rubber gloves? Take some inspiration from the Paris Fashion Week and turn the challenge into an opportunity. How about a stylish look of matching leather glove and lipstick? The trend was spotted in Dries Van Noten’s collection in Paris Fashion Week Fall’21, where smooth leather opera gloves were matched with red lipstick. You can take the style experiment a step further, by slipping into pair of gloves with leather trench coat and matching bag; as was sported by a model for Jil Sander’s collection, at the PFW 2021. Leather gloves are popular accessory. They add edge to ruffle dresses as well as look excellent with cold-weather coats, as was showcased by Lanvin and Rochas at the PFW. Gloves also had a moment of spotlight at the Milan Fashion week, Fall’21, where Prada’s colorful leather gloves were adorned with unique zipper pouches, enabling them to be perfect alternative to the micro bags. Simone Rocha’s embroidered elbow length gloves attracted a lot of attention at the New York Fashion Week too.

The return of the corset

A trend that was easily spotted at the London Fashion Week 2021 was the return of corsets on the runway. Despite being binding and restrictive, the corsets enjoyed major attention this year. With a host of designers getting inspired from this 16th century attire, the corsets seem to be a likely part of the average woman’s closet. Designers at Paris Fashion Week 2021 turned to corset-esque leather belts as styling tool. These waist-huggers are sure to upgrade your daytime look, adding intrigue to exquisite dresses and thick knits.

Aesthetic floral tone

Floral and petal tones are going to be at the top spot throughout this year, thanks to London Fashion Week 2021. Designers like Emilia Wickstead attempted floral print on largely monochromic looks. The designer successfully created sartorial drama at London Fashion Week 2021 in an effortless yet formulated fashion, as she presented the Elroy coat, Gerty top, Roma skirt and Valentina flats all in blue rose and ivory taffeta faille. Brands such as Viktor & Rolf, Giambattista Valli, Fendi, Chanel, Dior, all celebrated the purity of floral prints in their creations at the PFW. Designer Gabriela Hearst, in her collection at the New York Fashion Week 2021, showcased leather and lace floral prints. Designers Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard exhibited bikini tops, floral sundresses, jumpsuits and maxi dresses, in their collection at the NYFW.

The magic of bags

Ask a woman to choose her favorite accessories she just can’t do without; the answer will certainly be handbag. From work to play, bags come in all shapes and sizes to serve the purpose. So, if you are planning to invest on some of the bags worth carrying, then do take some inspiration from the famous fashion weeks this year. The bags with chains were big hit on the runway; the chunky-chain bags were pretty much there in every fashion week. Tom Ford’s neon chain bag was vibrant on the runway at New York Fashion week 21, while other styles of bags at the New York fashion week included Vivienne Westwood’s heart shaped bag and Zimmermann’s toned bags in signature brown leathers. Strap pouches with chunky chains and crossbodies and box bags were also carried by the models on the ramp at Milan FW. Besides chain bags, tote bags are going to remain in trend as were spotted all over in the Milan Fashion week. The fall 21 will be marked by bags of gargantuan proportions which were spotted all over the recent runways.

Fun fringes

Fringes are fun whether they are in bags or dresses. The street style fringe dresses were seen at the Milan fashion week 2021. Fringe, in a myriad way, was seen in the collection of designers like Proenza Schouler, Jason Wu, and Cinq a Sept at the NYFW. Jil Sander’s collection at the PFW showcased soft capes with fringed sleeves, Jonathan Anderson also added fringe details to the dresses there. AMI’s Alexandre Mattiussi took inspiration from the spirit of Paris and included fringed dresses in his collection. Designer Gabriela Hearst added punk of fringed and striped dresses in the ‘puffcho,’ a hybrid of a poncho integrated with a puffer. Be prepared to see even more fringes this year.

Turtlenecks & detachable collars

Turtleneck may also be predicted as huge trend this year. They were seen conspicuously at Milan as well as Paris fashion weeks.

JW Anderson latest collection had included huge turtlenecks and puffer jackets.

The detachable turtleneck with a plaid cardigan will give a ‘can’t- miss’ look as was showcased by 3.1 Phillip Lim; while PH5 paired a pink collar with the cardigan. Detachable turtlenecks were street style and runway hit at the London Fashion Week too.

From the April 2021 issue of L’Officiel India.