According to the Biggest Fall 2021 Runway Trends, These Are the Items You Need for Fall

Jul 31

Do you ever look at a runway show and ask yourself how the f*ck am I supposed to wear that? I mean, this Fall/Winter 2021 runway season alone there was Medival armor at Balenciaga, riding caps at Gucci, and comically large puff sleeves at Comme des Garçons.

While trend forecasters like yours truly may speak runway fashion fluently, the average fashion lover likely finds the translation to be a bit more challenging. But when you strip back all the exaggerated silhouettes, print-mixing, and obscure styling choices, most looks designers send down the runway are relatively straightforward.

So instead of breaking down the Fall 2021 fashion trends by their overarching themes and cultural significance like we usually do, we’re cutting straight to the point and telling you exactly what items designers want you to buy for the upcoming fall season.

Peep the 12 must-have items for fall, according to the biggest Fall 2021 runway trends.

Oversized Fur Coat

As more designers shift towards ethical and sustainable textiles, fur coats have become the ultimate symbol of modern luxury. But unlike decades past, real clout no longer comes from sending the most elusive and exotic furs down the runway; it comes through using innovative, eco-friendly textiles like sustainable faux fur and upcycled vintage fur.

Just take the floor-length fur coat from Look 18 at Kim Jones’ first ready-to-wear show at Fendi. The jaw-dropping coat was made entirely from upcycled fox fur sourced from previous Fendi pieces. Similarly, Coach reworked vintage leather, shearling, and fur into new, trendsetting styles for the house’s second “Coach Forever” collection, which mixes archive revivals with brand new designs.

Another noteworthy observation of this fall’s fur coats is that no single silhouette, fur texture, or color dominated the runways. Instead, designers presented a rainbow-colored array of fur outerwear to allow each of us to find a piece we’ll wear forever, regardless of what’s on-trend. While Alberta Ferretti, Ambush, Khaite, and Givenchy stuck to timeless neutrals that pair with everything, Balenciaga, Dolce & Gabbana, MSGM, and Prada gave us keep-forever statement coats in bright colors and shag furs.

Victorian Blouse

The feminine, ruffled blouses at Alberta Ferretti, Paco Rabanne, Thom Browne, and Valentino’s fall shows drew clear inspiration from Edwardian and Victorian-era fashion. Throughout the late 1900s, the trendsetting style reflected a widespread shift towards casual, informal womenswear. Now, 150-some years later, it’s reemerged after one of the most casual years in fashion history.

Unlike the cropped, square-neck, puff sleeve blouses that dominated the spring 2021 season, this fall’s statement blouses are full-length with a high-neck and more exaggerated leg-of-mutton or balloon sleeves. If you plan on adding this Fall 2021 fashion trend to your wardrobe, stick to a white Victorian blouse made with silk or cotton poplin fabric with embroidery and lace details.

When it comes to styling, balance out the prim, ladylike feel on top with something grungy on the bottom, like the bleached jeans at Tom Ford, colored leather trousers at Alberta Ferretti and Ulla Johnson, or the lug-sole knee-high boots at Valentino.

Knit Set

If Quarantine fashion taught us anything, it’s that stretchy knits are far superior to uncomfortable fabrics we sported during the Before Times. For Fall 2021, fashion designers presented plenty of mix-and-matchable sets fit for the real world. Coordinating cardigans, maxi skirts, knit tank tops, mini dresses, pullover sweaters, and shorts flooded the runways of Acne Studios, Altuzarra, Gabriela Hearst, and many, many more.

If you’re intimidated by the bold prints at Staud and Stella McCartney (understandably), stick to the cloud-like fabrics and soft, creamy colors seen at Acne Studios, Cult Gaia, and LaQuan Smith. Bonus points if you accessorize your knit two-piece set with other major Fall 2021 runway trends like the sporty sunglasses and colorful knit hats at The Elder Statesman.

Shearling-Lined Moto Jacket

If there’s one outerwear style worth splurging on for Fall 2021, it’s a shearling-lined moto jacket. This season, shearling-lined oversized leather jackets were spotted on the men’s and women’s runways of big-name houses like Balmain, Fendi, and Givenchy. At the always-grungy R13, lived-in leather motos were styled straight out of the 90s with Kurt Cobain sunglasses, graphic tees, and distressed baggy jeans. Alaïa offered a more feminine take by pairing their cropped leather jackets with full skirts and lacy cutout dresses.

While most designers stuck to basic black or brown, a handful showed stand-out white shearling-lined moto jackets that offered a lighter take on the traditionally grungy look. They looked exceptionally chic styled in monochrome outfits at Fendi and Givenchy. For maximum versatility, snag a reversible sherpa leather jacket like the ones from Looks 40 and 87 at Vetements.

Oversized Tote Bag

IDK about you, but it feels nice to lug around an overstuffed tote bag again. While the back pain isn’t the greatest, there’s nothing more satisfying than knowing you have everything you could ever need right at your fingertips. Laptop? Got it. Hand sani? Obviously. Heels for happy hour? Got ‘em. Fenty lip paint, Advil, and condoms in case of a full-blown night out? Check, check, and check. Needless to say, this fall’s oversized tote bags can hold it all.

While the leather, suede, and canvas totes at Raf Simons and Tod’s were only slightly oversized, the bags at Balmain and Marni bordered on weekenders. If you go with basic black or brown, choose a bag with unique details like the chunky straps at Jil Sander or color-blocked leather at Ulla Johnson. For a pop of color, try the luxe sky blue suede at Khaite.

Boucle Tweed Jacket

Though boucle tweed jackets, suits, and skirts are always on-trend at Chanel, they’re constantly in and out of style at other houses. Based on the black and white boucle tweed jackets at big names like Dolce & Gabbana, Prabal Gurung, and Schiaparelli, they are very, very in for Fall 2021.

Unless you’ve been living under an online rock for the past year, you’re already well aware of the Gossip Girl reboot that premiered in early July. The two-piece boucle tweed sets and houndstooth mini skirts and dresses at Alice + Olivia, Giambattista Valli, and Schiaparelli are all but guaranteed to make an appearance on one of the new Upper East Siders this season.

Leather Trench Coat

Tuck your go-to khaki trench away for spring and toss on a luxe leather trench coat like those seen at Gabriela Hearst, MSGM, Khaite, Proenza Schouler, and Staud. For maximum versatility and longevity, invest in a basic black number that’ll still feel just as cool long after the trend passes. Stick to a simple design with a relaxed fit and steer clear from exaggerated shoulder pads.

Two of the biggest fall fashion trends— patent leather and casual trench coats— combined to create one of fall’s most splurge-worthy items: patent leather trench coats. Oversized lapels, thick belts, and mid-calf lengths exaggerated the tightly-cinched oversized trenches at Isabel Marant, Tory Burch, Versace, and Vetements.

Lug-Sole Boots

This fall’s lug-sole boots trend can be traced back to the iconic lug-sole combat boots from Miuccia Prada’s pre-Raf Fall 2019 collection. The It-shoe instantly became one of the hottest accessories of the season and launched the tiny pockets on accessories trend the house (along with countless fast-fashion copycats) is still churning out two years later.

Though chunky combat boots like the Prada OG were still a popular choice, there were just as many lug-sole Chelsea boots and lug-sole rain boots on this season’s runways. The winter weather-friendly footwear trend was spotted at Christian Dior, Miu Miu, Simone Roche, Sportmax, and Valentino. At Brunello Cuccinelli and Ganni, they were effortlessly styled with blazers and tucked-in trousers.

Knit Maxi Dress

Though knit dresses and skirts of all shapes and sizes made an appearance on fall’s runways, one key silhouette stood out as the dominant knitwear trend of the Fall 2021 season: the knit maxi dress. Their cozy cashmere fabrics, curve-skimming cuts, and ankle-length hems offer the perfect balance of comfort and style for heading back to the real world.

Most designers went with relatively straightforward designs in earthy colors and lightweight rib knits. Gabriela Hearst stuck to simple crewnecks and fitted long sleeves for both her debut Chloé collection and her own eponymous label, where they were smartly layered over straight-leg trousers. And at Cult Gaia, Salvator Ferragamo, and Victoria Beckham, shoulder-baring necklines and thigh-high slits brought a dose of sex appeal to the otherwise simple knit dresses.

Blanket Cape or Knit Poncho

Designers were well aware that we spent most of the past winter cocooned under the covers while we worked from home or wrapped in our favorite throw blanket while we binge-watched in our sweats. And thankfully, they’re easing us back into real clothes with cozy knit capes and crochet ponchos. Blanket-like knitwear and outerwear made an appearance at Chloé, Nanushka, and Valentino to name a few.

Designers were also well aware that another wave of the pandemic is likely coming this winter and planned accordingly. (PSA: Please get vaxxed.) In case of indoor dining restrictions, Marni and Nina Ricci gave us down-filled quilted ponchos and puffer scarves to wear while we eat outside. At Boss, letterman jacket-inspired patches gave classic camel-colored wool ponchos the modern update they needed.

Leather Gloves

Call it the Bridgerton effect or call it germaphobia. Gloves were one of the biggest accessory trends on the Fall 2021 runways. Dramatic opera and elbow-length leather gloves accented modern eveningwear at Dries Van Noten, Lanvin, and Prabal Gurung. Surprisingly, few opted for basic black and instead showed leather gloves in bright shades like red, electric blue, hot pink, and colored logo print.

For a more practical take on the accessories trend, try a pair of leather driving gloves like those spotted at Prada and Preen by Thorn. This fall, the timeless wrist-length style received the same modern treatment of bright colors and eye-catching prints. Most notably at Versace, where Gigi Hadid made her post-baby runway debut in an all-black look paired with a coordinating purse and leather gloves in Versace’s new La Greca monogram print.

Cottagecore Maxi Dress

Cottagecore maxi dresses were one of the biggest Spring 2021 trends to carry over to the fall season. After their viral success on Tik-Tok during the peak of the pandemic, vintage-inspired boho dresses like those seen at Acne Studios, Anna Sui, and Batsheva have become one of the year’s best-selling items amongst young, Gen Z shoppers. Might we suggest pairing yours with a granny square cardigan and a chic pair of clogs.

Instead of purchasing a vintage-inspired maxi dress from a fast-fashion brand, hit up your favorite vintage store to find the real thing. Anna Sui’s floral and crochet maxi dresses looked straight out of the 70s; Alessandra Rich and Vivienne Westwood’s belts and wide collars right out the 80s; and the ditsy floral prints at Y/Project from Courtney Love’s closet during the mid-90s.

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Runway imagery and cover c/o Vogue Runway

Sarah Maberry