The past one year has highlighted comfort as a key driving trend across all product categories not only in fashion and apparel, but other industries as well. As the fog cast by COVID-19 continues to steadily lift, consumers are more hopeful and upbeat – drawn towards bolder colours and patterns and stand out look-at-me details.
Partywear and occasionwear observed a massive setback over the past few seasons. However, with the current climate, the demand for both categories is about to hit critical mass as vaccine campaigns around the world continue to roll out and cities slowly open up.
Themes of escapism and DIY craft techniques shot up over the past year and designers and high fashion brands alike communicated a hope for a post-Covid reality via bold colours and shapes. We see these themes cropping up across high fashion and retail, as a collective consumer psyche.
After dominating market share, loungewear finally takes a break and we see a plethora of colourful prints – à la psychedelic prints, retro patterns and peppy influences and party looks – think sequins, shimmer and metallics.
Vivid hues paint a bright canvas via hot pinks, cobalt blues, sunshine yellows and scarlet reds, as well as animal prints.
Balance is maintained via neutral colour palettes dominant of soft lilacs, creamy off whites and neutral browns.
We bring to you the top trends set to dictate the print, patterns and colour selection for the upcoming Fall/Winter 2021 season.
Read on to discover…
OFF WHITE
Classic whites emerge as the new black while off white tones pop up as a dominating colour trend across fashion capitals.
Pristine, warm and milky shades point towards consumer interest in a softer neutral palette over clinical, bleached whites.
Spotted across a multitude of styles, this colour resonates well with comfort-first clothing and luxe loungewear pieces.
For evening and partywear, the colour is best suited to high-luxe and high sheen satin, soft cashmere and superfine merino.
Head-to-toe co-ords lead the way, as well as monochrome dressing choices.
PSYCHEDELIC PRINTS
Optical illusion and geometric patterns make a comeback over updated knits and printed apparel categories.
Products featuring the ‘70s Ripple’ prints are seen infiltrating the mass market with Motel pushing 15 ‘70s Ripple’ printed products since February. According to Edited, 93 per cent of the collection sold out while 27 per cent has been replenished.
Mini dresses dominate the assortment with all five arrivals selling out.
RETROMATIC
Retro-inspired prints in a vibrant colour palette dominate the season as nostalgia goes into overdrive. These are spotted across product categories, especially over coordinated sets with crop tops and skirts.
Fashion retail giant Zara’s latest range features a plethora of ’70s-inspired prints and styling, with a heavy dose of Emilio Pucci-inspired swirls standing out as a statement in the collections.
Co-ords emerge as a key to this trend in general, and a lesson to be borrowed from Zara is to offer matching accessories within the price such as headscarves, bags and scrunchies.
The move further pushes a sustainability angle by promoting minimal wastage and upcycling of fabric waste – all in all a big win-win situation.
Also Read: Post-pandemic fashion – Top trends to watch out for in Fall/Winter 2021
LILAC CLOUDS
A key colour trend across fashion capitals,’90s fav lilac and violet tones resurface big time on the runways of Fall/Winter 2021.
Coming from a colour family that symbolises royalty, this tone of purple is symbolic of a youthful charm. Hence, it’s no coincidence that the ongoing decade puts ’90s babies into the bracket of core spenders.
Seen across categories right from cosy knits, to partywear to statement outerwear pieces to suiting to loungewear, this colour is enjoying its moment under the limelight.
BOHEMIAN PRINTS
Designers and high fashion labels alike are channelling boho vibes, as the theme for nostalgia continues to gain momentum.
Championing peace and love (which the world needs in abundance right now) via paisley prints, hand done and digital tie-dye and fringing techniques, designers try to evoke a free vibe through the trend.
Best suited over midi and mini dresses, head-to-toe looks, printed blouses with wrap details, poufy statement sleeves and drop silhouettes.
Accessories as well as footwear score high on this trend, as Western style boots, snake prints, boho-inspired head scarves and retro sunglasses easily fall in line with the theme.
PREPPY PREPPIN’
Spotted first at the Pre-Fall runways, the trend started gaining momentum and yet again, points towards fashion’s heavy resonance over nostalgia in the current times.
Checks emerge as the undoubted winner in this category as the print of the Fall/Winter 2021 showcases. A tried and time tested pattern, checks easily update coordinated sets, suiting as well as outerwear pieces.
Highlight patterns include a mashup of checker board print, plaids and argyle motifs.
According to Edited, this standout print is already making up 10 per cent of patterned apparel sell outs over the past four months.
Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini introduced letterman jackets and berets, whilst Elizabetta Franchi brought alive the rich horse girl aesthetic sported with jodhpurs and knee-high boots.
LEOPARD PRINT
Young, wild and free seems to be the memo received by the fashion fraternity for the season, as they continue to uptrend animal print, which can now be classified as a classic in its own right.
Bold and fierce, the print dominates the Fall/Winter 2021 womenswear season.
What sets it apart this time around though is the pattern or print per day, which is being highlighted, i.e., the leopard print.
Spotted across umpteen runway showcases right from Dolce and Gabbana, to Dior to Budapest Select, to Blumarine, to Etro, cements the rise of this print in the upcoming icier months.
NEUTRAL BROWNS
Neutrals have been doing the rounds for quite some time now with consumers prizing minimalism over anything else and adopting a ‘less is more’ attitude.
Timeless and classic, this wardrobe staple was spotted across cities, with saturated shades of Rabbit’s Paw standing out the most. Chocolate browns also emerge as a popular choice especially for pieces styled in tonal looks.
The palette is best suited to soft, plush leathers, faux furs and other luxe fabrics. One of the fastest growing colours in the luxury bags, footwear and accessories departments, this trend update gives brands and retailers a chance to include the colour over boots, clutch bags and elbow gloves.