Fall 2021 Trends You Need to Know About

Even with the pandemic, the Fall 2021 season went on. Despite the varying presentations, runway show, video, lookbook, there were clearly several Fall 2021 trends. Actually, many trends from previous seasons proved to have real staying power.

Hope you’re a fan of quilted coats, opera gloves along with pleats. Because they’re going to be with us at least until 2022. If you’re already sick of them, however, take solace in the fact that the staples have undergone slight modifications.

Tired of loungewear, too? You’ll be happy to hear that brands want us to start dressing up again. From shiny separates to borderline hourglass blazers, our wardrobes are obviously about to get a whole lot fancier.

Here are the 10 biggest Fall 2021 trends you’ll be seeing absolutely everywhere beginning in September.

Images: Imaxtree

Fall 2021 Trends

Circle Cut-Outs

Cut-outs are nothing new. Circle cut-outs? Not exactly groundbreaking, but still unexpected. The circumferences varied as did the placement. The “holes” in a sweater at Louis Vuitton doubled as pockets. While brands like Courrèges and MSGM opted for well-placed peekaboo accents.

Image: Louis Vuitton Fall 2021
Circle Cut-Outs

Courrèges Fall 2021
Circle Cut-Outs

Issey Miyake Fall 2021
Circle Cut-Outs

David Koma Fall 2021
Circle Cut-Outs

MSGM Fall 2021
Off-the-Shoulder Sleeves

Get ready to show a whole lot of shoulder. While off-the-shoulder silhouettes are popular in spring and summer, they’re usually shunned come fall and winter. For Fall 2021, attached but seemingly separate long sleeves were everywhere. Fendi, Osman and Sukeina offered knitted takes. But Khaite took a slouchy approach.

Image: Fendi Fall 2021
Off-the-Shoulder Sleeves

Khaite Fall 2021
Off-the-Shoulder Sleeves

Rokh Fall 2021
Off-the-Shoulder Sleeves

Osman Fall 2021
Off-the-Shoulder Sleeves

Sukeina Fall 2021
Not Your Typical Trench

We’re guessing you already have a trench hanging in your closet. But you definitely don’t have these. Trenches received a makeover for Fall 2021. Chloe added a little texture. (Gabriela Hearst also offered trenches via her eponymous label.) Chanel went gold, while both Ports 1961 and Balenciaga supplied off-balance options.

Image: Chloe Fall 2021
Not Your Typical Trench

Chanel Fall 2021
Not Your Typical Trench

Ports 1961 Fall 2021
Not Your Typical Trench

Balenciaga Fall 2021
Not Your Typical Trench

Gabriela Hearst Fall 2021
A Night at the Opera

Opera gloves are another ongoing trend. In the past, they were paired with pretty much everything. Now the long gloves are adding extra glamour to gowns. We expect Elie Saab to deliver red carpet-worthy dresses. But Eudon Choi, Sportmax and Ellery really stepped up their formalwear game.

Image: Elie Saab Fall 2021
A Night at the Opera

Eudon Choi Fall 2021
A Night at the Opera

Moschino Fall 2021
A Night at the Opera

Sportmax Fall 2021
A Night at the Opera

Ellery Fall 2021
Daring Diamonds

Argyle sweaters were already trending so it’s not surprising that diamonds were a common theme this season. The preppy knits were still offered, but Valentino and Christian Dior went in a harlequin direction. Meanwhile, Nanushka presented a more DIY spin.

Image: Valentino Fall 2021
Daring Diamonds

Christian Dior Fall 2021
Daring Diamonds

Fashion East Fall 2021
Daring Diamonds

Nanushka Fall 2021 
Daring Diamonds

Staud Fall 2021
Strategic Pleating

Almost every collection featured pleated pieces. Although this time around the pleats were more purposeful. At Lanvin, they came in small doses. Issey Miyake, known for pleating, was more restrained for Fall 2021. While A.W.A.K.E. Mode embraced both narrow and wide folds.

Image: Lanvin Fall 2021
Strategic Pleating

Altuzarra Fall 2021
Strategic Pleating

Issey Miyake Fall 2021
Strategic Pleating

A.W.A.K.E. Mode Fall 2021
Strategic Pleating

Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini Fall 2021
Structured Blazers

After over a year of loungewear domination, the tide is turning back in the other direction. Instead of outsize and boxy blazers, designers presented ones nipped in at the waist. Not technically hourglass, the slightly fitted silhouette is the ideal way to ease back into dressing up. Shapes differed, from the subtle structure at Staud and Givenchy to the more sculpted jackets at Christian Dior and Khaite.

Image: Christian Dior Fall 2021
Structured Blazers

Khaite Fall 2021
Structured Blazers

Givenchy Fall 2021
Structured Blazers

Altuzarra Fall 2021
Structured Blazers

Staud Fall 2021
Moody Florals

We expect fall florals from Simone Rocha and Erdem. But the trend was far more pervasive this season. Several designers set the scene with fall-appropriate hues. Blumarine’s bouquets were given purple and pink backdrops. And Antonio Marras placed blooms against black backgrounds.

Image: Simone Rocha Fall 2021
Moody Florals

Erdem Fall 2021
Moody Florals

Blumarine Fall 2021
Moody Florals

Antonio Marras Fall 2021
Moody Florals

Luisa Beccaria Fall 2021
Shades of Silver

Most people think silver is one shade. For Fall 2021, silver came in many striking forms. Sometimes in one outfit. Take Salvatore Ferragamo layering a chain-mail dress over silver body paint. Balmain went matchy-matchy with a crop top and skirt set. On the other end of the silver spectrum, Sportmax dressed down a sparkling sheath with black pants.

Image: Salvatore Ferragamo Fall 2021
Shades of Silver

Balmain Fall 2021
Shades of Silver

Moschino Fall 2021
Shades of Silver

Louis Vuitton Fall 2021
Shades of Silver

Sportmax Fall 2021
Still Quilting

If you think you’ve seen the last of quilted coats, think again. Apparently, fashion’s puffer obsession has shifted to a fascination with quilting. Now big brands are getting in on the action. Chanel sent a quilted lining jacket down its runway. Etro played up the texture element with a patchwork pattern. Hermes only quilted the sleeves and Max Mara showcased a padded vest. Loewe gave us the most high-fashion take with a coat worthy of a Vogue spread.

Image: Chanel Fall 2021
Still Quilting

Etro Fall 2021
Still Quilting

Loewe Fall 2021
Still Quilting

Hermes Fall 2021
Still Quilting

Max Mara Fall 2021