It’s Officially Time to Pack Up Your Sweats.

Words by Nicole Fritton, Kerry Pieri and Barry Samaha

Designers have been working in exceedingly unusual circumstances, in a vacuum, catering to an audience whose lives are forever changed—and ultimately showing their collections virtually or in very intimate settings. And yet, creativity reigns. For fall 2021, the collections fell in line with the times by embracing that new outdoor après-ski life, prepping for a new-wave Roaring ’20s, finding stability in LBDs, and keeping comfort key in elevated knitwear. See what’s in store for next season in 13 trend stories.

She’s a Rich Girl

What do you get when you layer sequins on sequins on sequins? The kind of 1920s-meets-1980s opulence that just puts a girl in a good mood. The look is glimmering but covered up (these aren’t club dresses; they’re a statement on a mood)—think: long trousers, high necks, jackets, and voluminous dresses. Dries Van Noten, Paco Rabanne, Valentino, Loewe, and more skipped the minimalism in favor of something optimistic and grand with a clear message: Let your light shine, ladies, the future is looking bright.

Pictured from top to bottom: Loewe, Connor Ives, Giorgio Armani, Prabal Gurung, Dolce & Gabbana, Carolina Herrera, Erdem, Isabel Marant, Prada, Valentino, Markarian, Givenchy, and Alberta Ferretti.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Little Off Colour

Saturated shades have entered the conversation. The color play is off-kilter, slightly skewed, and unexpected—a little like life itself. It’s mustard meets lemon at Jil Sander, bubblegum pink and marigold at Miu Miu, rust and lavender at Patou—complementary and secondary hues of the color wheel all mixed up and topsy-turvy. All the better to make you look twice.

Pictured from top to bottom: Jil Sander, Oscar de la Renta, Loewe, Akris, Prada, JW Anderson, Roksanda, JW Anderson, Miu Miu, Alberta Ferretti, Patou, and Tory Burch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tailored on Tailored

There’s no other way to say it: The look in tailoring now is nothing short of smart. Designers aren’t going halfway—button-downs are layered under vests, over turtlenecks, under jackets, under long coats, over trousers—and sometimes belted and finished with a tie. These ensembles are paired not with pumps or sneakers, but loafers and boyish shoes. In other words, this isn’t about subverting classic pieces; it’s a literal take. Tory Burch, The Row, Prada, and Peter Do are leading the charge for ladies who like to layer their loose tailoring—and then layer it some more.

Pictured from top to bottom: Peter Do, The Row, Wales Bonner, Tory Burch, Nehera, Gucci, Valentino, Lemaire, Prada, Giada, Giulvia Heritage, and Brunello Cucinelli.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Knit Wits

If any lesson was learned from the year 2020, it’s that when given the option, people will choose comfort—every time. Let them eat cake! Or rather, let them never have to button a button again and outfit them in luxe knitwear in the form of skirts, maxi dresses, and two-piece sets. Cozy need not mean lacking polish in the deft hands of Gabriela Hearst, Altuzarra, and Proenza Schouler, all of which are offering cashmeres and wools in body-aware silhouettes that are endlessly flattering and fit for an evening in or out.

Pictured from top to bottom: Rick Owens, Proenza Schouler, Ulla Johnson, Zanni, Thakoon, Victor Glemaud, Jonathan Simkhai, Gabriela Hearst, Altuzarra, Loro Piana, Fendi, Salvatore Ferragamo, Chloe, and Adam Lippes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Après-Ski, Please

Keep your après-ski in check with Fair Isle knits that just beg for a weekend in Aspen or Gstaad. Cropped or cardi, in classic shades or bright pinks and reds, these cozy knits pack a visual punch. It’s statement sweater dressing for living that ski-in/ski-out life. Perhaps it’s a nod to the intrinsic nature of socially distant slopes, or an embrace of a max exodus to the country. However you twist it, according to Miu Miu, Chanel, Balenciaga, and Junya Watanabe, next season is all about that cozy ski sweater life.

Pictured from top to bottom: Rag & Bone (First row), Molly Goddard, Junya Watanabe, MM6, Etro, Balenciaga, Paco Rabanne, Dsquared2, Rentrayage, Chanel, and Vivienne Westwood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roaring ’20s Redux

For those who subscribe to the idea of a new Roaring ’20s on the horizon, you’ll be perfectly outfitted for the occasion. Flapper dresses abound in classically executed silks and lace from Khaite and Kwaidan Editions. More modern iterations can be found at Kim Jones’s new Fendi and Gabriela Hearst’s new Chloé. Layered under long coats at Miu Miu and Paco Rabanne, or with a grunge-tinged ’90s take at Coach, these nightie-inspired dresses are made for the nightlife.

Pictured from top to bottom: Atlein, Miu Miu, Jil Sander, Coach, Dries Van Noten, Khaite, Paco Rabanne, Kwaiden Editions, Judy Turner, Vaquera, Fendi, and Chloe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Puff, Puff, Pass

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crop Rotation

And the new silhouette turning all the heads comes by way of cropped jackets and tops. These elegant, midriff-baring looks are far from the mini tees of your youth. Sophisticated and chic on a fuchsia pantsuit at Chanel or a menswear look with a twist at Peter Do, and on an utterly ladylike two-piece set at Emilia Wickstead, these short takes are for posh girls only.

Pictured from top to bottom: Chanel, Giorgio Armani, Fashion East, Fendi, Vetements, Emilia Wickstead, Peter Do, and Laquan Smith.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make It Midi

A long-standing theory in fashion: High hemlines indicate economic prosperity, while long styles convey downturns. In the precarious time that was 2020, it was overwhelmingly the latter. Here to demonstrate this credo are the bevy of midi skirts that dominated the look books and virtual presentations for the fall 2021 season. They are box-pleated at Christian Dior, knife-pleated at Erdem, A-lined at The Row, and flowy at Partow—but all reach midway between the knee and ankle.

Pictured from top to bottom: 3.1 Phillip Lim, Partow, Max Mara, The Row, Rokh, Erdem, Chopova Lowena, Christian Dior, Thebe Magugu, and Loro Piana.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep it Cozy

The optimal word to describe fashion in the past year was cozy. Designers are continuing down this path for fall 2021, but not in the way you would initially think—read: no sweats here. From a cream-colored wool jacket at Chanel to a tan shearling-lined coat at Chloé to a fuzzy hoodie at Christian Dior, our favorite labels have refined these comfy styles, bringing couture cuts to their designs. The fabrics may indeed be plush and the sizes large, but the silhouettes are much more tapered than what is normally expected of winterwear. Indeed, cozy never looked so good.

Pictured from top to bottom: Chloe, Isabel Marant, Erdem, Chanel, Christian Dior, Coach, Akris, Vetements, Thom Browne, Givenchy and Louis Vuitton.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Suit Coat

The trusted suit has gotten a revamp. Traditionally, the style is composed of a blazer-and-trouser combo; blazer and skirts have also become commonplace. For fall 2021, designers introduced something new into the fold: coats. Instead of fitted jackets, Givenchy, Jason Wu, Proenza Schouler, and more showcased palazzo, paper-bag-waist, flared, or cropped trousers all with elongated toppers. It’s a look that is meant to be worn and fully appreciated outdoors, which we welcome with open arms now that vaccination centers are doing their thing.

Pictured from top to bottom: A Potts, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Zimmerman, Jason Wu, Hermes, Marine Serre, The Row, Proenza Schouler, Balmain, Givenchy, and Chanel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finding Patterns

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Black

LBDs are perennial; they’ll never go out of style no matter how many times we can say black is back. They haven’t left and never will. But what does change is the proportion. Some seasons have the ubiquitous style long and covered in appliqués; others have it prim and unadorned. For fall 2021, the trend de jour is short and super fitted. It’s all about the sultry mini. From tuxedo dresses at Fashion East to babydoll silhouettes at Christian Dior, the rule of thumb is to show legs for days, darling.

Pictured from top to bottom: JW Anderson, Schiaparelli, Fashion East, Dolce & Gabbana, Christian Dior, Carolina Herrera, Giambattista Valli, Versace, Tom Ford and Eftychia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This article originally appeared on Harpersbazaar.com