Twice a year the fashion capitals of the world; New York, London, Milan, and Paris, put on a week’s worth of fashion shows to showcase the newest collections. Some background on how the shows work, February debuts the F/W collections for later that year, and September introduces the S/S collections for the next year. The reasoning for this is to give the designers time to mass-produce their collections so they are available for purchase and in stores by the next season. Viewing the shows a season early also allows editors and buyers to predict what the top trends are going to be based on similarities across the collections. After spending hours checking out the collections, these are my predictions as to what will be the biggest Spring/Summer trends of 2021.

Check-mate

2021 fashion trends have undoubtedly been taking classic and already popular patterns or colors and giving them a bit of a facelift. Checkerboard is nothing new and has been popping up here and there over the past few years; this spring and summer the already chaotic pattern can be seen with an interesting twist. Whether it is a blown-up version of the print as seen at Dolce & Gabbana or a new set of colors differing from the classic black and white that can be seen at Gucci, there are so many unique ways to incorporate this into everyday style. This can even be seen through the use of plaid [seen at Rokh] and gingham fabrics [at Ami.] This seemingly unapproachable print is now one of the hottest prints from spring and undoubtedly all of 2021.

Black and white is the new black

Color blocking is nothing new to the world of fashion trends - the thing that does change the most and keeps this styling trick fresh and new is the color combinations. Runway show after runway show has solidified that the IT color combination this season is black and white. This is my favorite kind of trend - one that is classic and will be in style long after the trend has run its course. Black and white are so classic and clean that it is refreshing to see these two colors being paired together so uniquely. After the crazy and somber year that was 2020, I believe 2021 is all about taking things that seem “boring” and giving them a fun and lively update. Try out this trend for yourself by pairing together individual black and white pieces like Chanel and Hermes or go for an item that incorporates both colors, as seen at Giambattista Valli.

She’s flossy

This wrap-around/lace-up detailing started to emerge last year and it’s clear that it is here to stay! I was truly expecting to see this style mainly in the more niche brands like Acne and Charlotte Knowles. I was quite surprised when I saw Chanel and Micheal Kors taking part in the “flossing” style as well. Any sort of wrap or tie-around detailing is part of the flossing trend but, I believe it was Christopher Esber’s brown set with white ties that takes the cake on this trend (honorable mention to Jacquemus as well.) Think dental floss - but make it fashion!

sporty spice

A few years back athleisure was everything - this trend is athleisure’s polar opposite. Instead of a sporty and casual look, we are moving into a sporty extra and over-the-type style. As we can tell by the Brandon Maxwell, Balenciaga and Miu Miu shows - two pieces sets are IN and here to stay through spring and summer. Celine’s runway show had a very “cool girl” and urban take on the sporty trend, which came to no surprise based on their choice of venue. Even the heavy hitters of fashion [Chanel and Louis Vuitton] were giving us looks that were streetwear and almost tomboy-ish. This is the perfect trend for anyone that is not quite ready to give up the sweatpant-chic looks that they picked up during the quarantine and remote working brought on by Covid-19.

it’s raining trenches

Reiterating what I had mentioned above about 2021 is all about doing the MOST and turning “boring” staples into something new, trenches are taking the streets and Instagram feeds by storm! A classic trench coat never gets old, and it is inspiring to see new takes on this rainy day must-have. Lous Vuitton and JW Anderson are giving us new colors - blue and green coats instead of the traditional brownish-beige. Rokh showed a very utilitarian approach to the trench in a very apocalyptic style show. I think the only reason I would ever wish for there to be rain is to get the chance to rock a trench coat of my own, needless to say, I am very excited about this trend.

psychedelic florals

Florals for spring? Groundbreaking. Sorry, I had to say it! Florals are back but with a twist; crazy colors and animated patterns breathe new air into this spring staple. Florals are seeing a new light this year with crazy and psychedelic colorways, whether it is a fur trim romper at Saint Laurent or an oversized anorak at Issey Miyake, this trend can be done in many ways. Andrew GN’s dress with the hem acting as a literal garden is such a fun and animated way to do florals and make this staple feel new again.

cut it out

CUTOUTS, CUTOUTS AND MORE CUTOUTS! This was a trend that truly dominated the runways and we are loving it. Such a versatile trend can be done in so many ways: grungey like at Givenchy, sporty at Mugler, funky at Fendi or even classy at Brandon Maxwell. There is no right or wrong way to do a cutout and they can appear on just about any garment. After being cooped up inside for nearly a year in sweatpants - showing a little bit of skin and making a daring fashion choice sounds like a dream. Am I right!?

Spring/Summer 2021 Trends