Spring Summer 2021 Trend Report
Although covid has pushed the fashion world to a new way of thinking, presenting, and showing collections, style shines through, even when you’re double-masking.
Some designers used presentations, small shows, virtual reality, sketches, or film as mediums to display their collections, which not only forced creatives to think outside their sphere of comfortability, but also creating a more welcoming and accessible environment to the everyday viewer.
Spring trends are finally starting to represent the foreseeable hope that has been sparked in the world. As vaccines begin to roll out, sweatpants and tie-dye begin to roll into the depths of our bottom drawers. Micro crop tops, deconstruction, and rib knitting corsets all make their way to center stage, but don’t worry, not all of the quarantine wardrobe has been lost. Long flowing fabrics, wide leg pants, and even caped collars help slowly ease our way off the couch and intro the streets.
Although we may not know when we will have to retire our work from home ensembles, these spring/summer trends will uptick anyones excitement, all while keeping everything we love about home-life, and sidelining the things we especially won’t miss.
monochrome medley
left to right: DSquared2, Christopher John Rogers, Ports 1961, Proenza Schouler, Giambattista Valli, Gabriela Hearst, Balmain, Chanel, Loewe
In a world that seems like everything is crumbling at your feet, the simplicity of black and white might be the only thing keeping some sane, and designers know it. Proenza Schouler creates definition and new shape in the body with a leather top and white pant with black inseams. Loewe saves the drama for the silhouette in a dress anyone would wear on the couch or at a post-covid party.
BRALETTE is back
The bralette has been waiting to come back since the 90s, and as low-rise, velvet, and jelly shoes have quietly used the emergency exit, maybe the bralette is here to stay. Although these might bring you back to the chloe-ting-quarentine-stage, this trend brings optimism to the runway, and hopefully our closets. Etro’s fun a flirty take on a 70’s set, as well as Isabel Marant’s ever so cool girl aesthetic makes me want to book my next workout.
left to right: Dior, No21, Emporio Armani, Alberta Ferretti, Etro, Boss, Isabel Marant, Marques Almeida, Givenchy
CRAFT OF CORSETS
left to right: Art School, David Koma, Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini, Charlotte Knowles, Christopher John Rogers, Richard Malone, Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, Balmain
The return of corsets really only cements the sweatpants graveyard.The traditional garment is taking a modern twist, whether its a top, dress, or even jacket, the craft of corsets is back. Although this body-sculpting look has never waned from Vivienne Westwood’s runways, the silhouette shaper turned heads at Givenchy, Moschino, and McQueen. This look will be sure to kick the cobwebs off of all our wardrobes.
which cut is the deepest?
Although Sheryl Crow’s 2003 hit might not have been talking about these cut(out)s, we are. Backless and strapless and any hole you can imagine is what you’ll be seeing this season. There’s something for everybody: a wide open back, rib-loving slits, or even Prada’s multitude of holes. Whether you want them big or small, there are cutouts for everyone.
left to right: Roksanda, Maximilian, Gabriela Hearst, Miu Miu, Salvatore Ferragamo, Givenchy, Prada, Issey Miyake, Akris, Zimmermann
MAJIC MAXI
left to right: Erdem, Rick Owens, Michael Kors, Giorgio Armani, Valentino, Etro, Giambattista Valli
As blankets and bed sheets have become a girls best friend in quarantine, these maxi dresses are only an elegant and romantic continuation of our quarantine lives. This trend will ease you into the real world, and you’ll look great while doing so. The effortless look seen at Valentino, Etro, and Alberta Ferretti, and these semi-sheer picks will make you want to be in the south of France, more so than you already do.
WIDE march
Wide legs have been creeping into our wardrobes for months, and they have now arrived. Skinny jean lovers might be shaking right now, but breath, and think about the elegance that comes along with these wide strides, not to mention their comfort that doesn’t come with your skinny jeans and cigarette pants. Just because their wide, doesn't mean they diminish that slim line so many love: just look at Saint Laurent!
left to right: Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton, The Row, Schiaparelli, Max Mara, Paul Smith, Bottega Veneta, Tom Ford
net ball
left to right: Jil Sander, Acne Studios, Valentino, Hermès, Dries Van Noten, Balenciaga, Fendi, Loewe
Fishnet is not exclusively used for tights, and now a days, fishnet tights are out of the picture completely. Enter: net layers. It might seem like an unusually trend, but one that is more practical than you think. Throw over bodysuits, slip dresses, or complete your outfit with a net coat or jacket (hello Fendi!). What might be intimidating at first is actually the perfect way to spice up any staple you might be getting bored of.
STUDIO 54: living room EDITION
Nothing can turn a mood around like sequins, and although you might not be ready to wear them in your living room just yet, this season’s array of sparkle brings relaxed elevation to our closets. We might not be able to show off these looks at a studio-54-want-to-be, we can still dream about it. Whether its paired with a plain white tee like at Louis Vuitton, or barefoot like at Balmain, we just want to see sparkle, even if its just in our apartment.
left to right: Junya Watanabe, Loewe, Proenza Schouler, Balmain, Ashish, Saint Laurent, Celine, Valentino, Louis Vuitton, Elie Saab
stripe saga
left to right: Bottega Veneta, Kenneth Ize, Ulla Johnson, Christopher Kane, Molly Goddard, Coperni, Dior, Louis Vuitton
There’s nothing better than stripes. This season, designers are embracing the classic print in every which way. The bigger, the brighter, the bolder, the better. Whether its the simplicity of breton stripe, or the wild fantastic world of Molly Goddard or Christopher Kane (the best of the best), you’ll be set for this season. Look to the experts like Kenneth Ize for a full suit set, or keep it simple with a t-shirt and jeans.
capes and Castles
Just as the utterly brilliant Simone Rocha summed up her spring summer collection, “I think that’s the escapism we’re all craving… castles in faraway places,” which is exactly what these caped and collard looks give us this season. The light elegance that goes with the capes at Valentino, and the fun quirks that come with JW Anderson is something we will all fall for.
left to right: Boss, Alberta Ferretti, JW Anderson, Simone Rocha, Halpern, Prada, Emilia Wickstead, Valentino, Lanvin
cut the cord
left to right: Acne Studios, Jacquemus, Supriya Lele, Michael Kors, Christopher Esber, Paco Rabanne, Stella Jean, Versace, Altuzarra
Images courtois of Vogue
Made on Adobe Photoshop 2020
Although this might remind you of dentil floss, these crisscrossed cords and wraparound details take the deconstruction from seasons past and modernize it with a clean and chic look. What might seem like an outlandish wardrobe choice, is executed beautifully by the likes of Paco Rabanne, Jacquemus, and Christopher Esber. This might seem intimidating at first, but with a maxi skirt and a bralette, you’ll fit right in with the floss.
