5 Casual Fashion Trends from the Spring 2021 Runways

SS 21

Nov 5

The Spring 2021 season—occurring amidst pandemic-induced travel restrictions, social distancing, and newly reinstated lockdowns— had fashion designers asking where fashion fits within our new normal. Will our spring clothes ever leave our closets and see the light of day? What does a post-quarantine (and let's face it, post-Quarantine 15) wardrobe even look like?

After considering sweatpants the pinnacle of 2020 fashion, the casual fashion trends on the Spring 2021 runways clearly reflected shifting consumer demands. Even professional looks— filled with tomboyish trousers, lightweight cashmere knits, and oversized button-ups— felt tailored to our work-from-home lifestyle.

As the pandemic continues to erode the fashion industry, even luxury fashion houses are reexamining their bottom lines. With widespread layoffs, store closures, and bankruptcies plaguing the industry, now wasn't the time to reinvent the wheel. While some Spring 2021 runways featured aspirational looks better suited for the For You pages and fashion magazines, most fashion brands focused on spring trends they know can sell— even during an economic downturn.

From Paris to Milan and every virtual fashion show in between, these five casual fashion trends from the Spring 2021 runways were in high demand.

These casual fashion trends from the Spring/Summer 2021 runways will be the only thing we're wearing come April.

Tracksuits

The Spring/Summer 2021 runways were filled with 80s silhouettes, suits, and athleisure. Now that loungewear is our new norm, 80s-inspired tracksuits are more than a perennial trend. They're a wardrobe essential.

Labels like Rodarte and Tom Ford channeled their usual glamour into more wearable satin track pants and pajama sets. At Boss, Miu Miu, and Wales Bonner, athletic tracksuits came down the runways in the spring season's biggest color trends. The most popular color choice? Relaxing blue hues like navy, sky blue, and royal blue.

Cardigans

The humble cardigan has become cool again for Spring 2021. Designers opted for lightweight cashmere knits and chunky oversized sweaters that felt ideal for staying in.

Worn as a standalone top at Altuzarra and Versace, cropped cardigans felt surprisingly sexy. At Virginie Viard's Chanel, an oversized pink cardigan became a surprisingly chic dress— no pants needed.

Erdem and Miu Miu paired grandpa-style cardigans with flirty skirts and feminine dresses. The unusual pairing was the perfect way to make a fancy item feel a bit less formal— a timely trend in our newly casual dress code. At Celine, oversized cable knit cardigans were paired with denim midi skirts and straight-leg jeans, two of the biggest denim trends in 2021.

Graphic Tees

Graphic tees have been a cornerstone of streetwear clothing for seasons and seasons, and Spring 2021 was no different.

Now, amidst an unprecedented pandemic, a global reckoning over racial inequality, and widespread political unrest, graphic tees took on new importance. Graphic tees at Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga sported sustainable fashion-focused graphics and timely phrases like vote.

Popular luxury labels dug into the archives to update classic logo tees with a modern streetwear feel. At Chanel, the house's iconic double Cs and #5 were turned into 80s-inspired neon graphics.

At Prada, the house's signature triangle logo took center stage thanks to the newly-appointed Raf Simons. In his first season alongside Miuccia Prada as Co-Creative Directors, Simons blended his love of graphic design with jolie-laide prints and 50s-inspired silhouettes straight out the Prada archives. The duo highlighted Pantone's Color of the Year 2021, Illuminating, with bright yellow overcoats and satin dresses emblazoned with the logo.

Bra Tops

In 2021, bra tops are the new crop tops. After months of going braless at home, perhaps the trend was designed to prove to those around us that we are, in fact, wearing a bra.

This season, designers rethought simple bras in every style imaginable. Paco Rabanne made a case for classic French girl styling, pairing a lacy black bra with flared jeans and a leather coat. Chanel, Jacquemus, and Hermes made feminine bras feel fresh when paired with tailored trousers and feminine midis. At Versace, bras peeked out from underneath low-cut dresses and barely-buttoned tops.

While most designers chose to show some skin, a handful chose layered looks that could easily disguise a few Quarantine-induced pounds. Bras were often worn over tight-fitting bodysuits or under oversized blazers. At Jason Wu, Simone Rocha, Victoria Beckham, and Tibi, bra tops were layered over tops and dresses.

Flip-Flops

Statement footwear has a new form: flip-flops. This season, designers ditched heels and embraced flat footwear that feels more appropriate for our casual lifestyle. According to spring 2021's fashion trends say that sporting designer slides in the grocery store is the ultimate flex.

Acne Studios, Sportmax, and Tom Ford added a touch of luxury to classic thong sandals. In a nod to early 2000s fashion, models sported chunky platform flip-flops at Jacquemus, while Stella McCartney played with proportions in a sporty style with plush padding. For their take on Spring 2021's must-have accessory, Balenciaga, Rosetta Getty, and Gabriela Hearst chose slipper-like slides that could easily be worn inside.

During the Spring 2021 season, casual fashion trends took over the runways. And, they've taken over Zeitgeist too!

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Images courtesy of Vogue Runway

Sarah Maberry