The fog is already lifting – a major chunk of 2020 has been clouded by the gloominess caused by the COVID-19 pandemic which has affected every single industry throughout the world and urged business to think of new and innovative ways to communicate their strategies.
Among them is our fashion and apparel world, which initially were dampened with a halt in processes and manufacturing, but quickly regained force by adopting digital formats of communication and shows. Amidst such ups and downs, the recently showcased presentations across the fashion capitals of the world have brought to light the trends set to dominate the upcoming Spring/Summer 2021 season.
The overarching vibe of gloom and doom is definitely out as designers and high-fashion brands alike present a heavy dose of disco-inspired and head-to-toe printed looks indicating a return to happier, more carefree times.
Upbeat and fun collections are highlighted with bizarre proportions that come alive via statement balloon sleeves and fierce, boxy shoulders. Less is more as designers take a page out of the book of intimacy to bring boudoir influences into the limelight – we see a plethora of fishnet details spun into every piece of clothing imaginable – right from pants, to caged dresses to sleeve details to floor grazing slips and bralettes – which feature as a key piece this season.
Read on to discover the top trends that are set to dictate fashion for the upcoming warmer months, in a world that is blooming through a pandemic – and hopefully more free, safe and conscious!
BRALETTES
Boudoir influences make it mainstream as designers and high-fashion labels alike champion bralettes as one of the key fashion pieces for Spring/Summer 2021.
Paired with high waist trousers, skirts, worn under see-through diaphanous dresses and dungarees or over slip dresses and oversized crisp white shirts, these skimpy pieces seamlessly transition through various looks to deliver statement looks.
Satin seems to be the material of choice when it comes to esteemed players like Alberta Ferretti, Hermes and Drome, whilst a standout version of a half-and-half neon wonder could be seen at David Koma.
HEAD-TO-TOE PRINTS
Maximalism is taken up a notch higher as the fashion world tilts towards an overdose of prints come the Spring/Summer 2021 season. Ranging from geometrics such as linear patterns and polka dots, to florals, to abstract art to monogram placements – designers went all out and all across garments by splashing a variety of prints over coordinated sets, suits, and dresses.
Underwater scenes at Versace and florals at Antik Batik and Isabel Marant screamed spring, whilst Marine Serre and Balmain played around with their logos by using their monograms all over bold suit sets.
BALLOON SLEEVES
Statement sleeves are here to stay – and the style gaining mass approval this season are blown up balloon sleeves.
Spotted at around 90 per cent of shows, this silhouette is one that is also performing exceptionally well in retail. Banking on the same, designers and fashion labels ensured the style is included in their summer assortments.
There is a marked play around with lengths as Loewe, Altuzarra and Erdem showcased full sleeve wonders; Philosophy Di Lorenzo, Dice Kayek and Celine went for a length right above the elbow, whilst Simone Rocha and Anna Sui channelled a more romanticised version by adopting three-fourth sleeve lengths.
FISHNET
Seems like some fashion designers spent their quarantine wisely by going through DC Comics favourites since the runways were awash with Black Canary and Zatanna’s fishnets references.
Graduating from their reserved spot as stockings, fishnets get upgraded as pants (as seen at Acne Studios), floor grazing dresses as at Balenciaga, caged numbers at David Koma and Hermes, and a stand-out laser cut look à la Lanvin.
Perfect for the Spring/Summer season, these large void spaces in the fishnet fabric structure allow for the rapid transport of moisture from the skin surface to outer layers to minimise conductive heat loss.
SILVER
Glam is in the air.
After a hushed year fraught with quarantine and a gloominess in the air, the fashion industry is adamant about injecting a bit of party cheer. Stepping out from the shadows of gilded golds, silver is the new sparkle in town – ready to amp up the vibe.
From metallic sheen dresses at Balenciaga and Isabel Marrant, to silver thread knitted fishnet versions at Burberry and Acne Studios, to embellished styles at Elisabetta Franchi, and monogrammed sparkles at Balmain, this tone has occupied majority of runway space for the coming season.
SWEATPANTS
One thing the pandemic has inculcated amongst all of us is the need for comfort first clothing and the designers and brands of today are taking that thought extremely seriously.
Casual meets chic as brands pair street-style approved sweat pants with hoodies, tank tops, figure hugging camisoles, bralettes, and romantic ruffle blouses.
We totally loved the coordinated set presented by Rodarte and kudos to MiuMiu for giving a cute, dressy spin off to the trend by pairing their sweatpants with a textured decorative crop top.
LOW WAIST PANTS
The 2000s called and they want their space under the sun back! Low and behold – low waist details have made a comeback!
From trousers to pants, to cargos to denim jeans, to skinny pants to trousers – the slouchy, about to fall length has taken over all types of lower silhouettes for the upcoming Spring/Summer 2021 season.
Best styles with tucked in tops or lengths grazing the navel, and belts, low waist pants are here to give competition to its counterpart – the high-waisted pants which have dominated the market for quite some time now.
Only time will tell how both fare!
DISCO BALL
Furthering the proof of a need for happy celebrations amongst the world, are a plethora of shiny disco-inspired clothing making their way to numerous Spring/Summer runways.
Be it via reflective and holographic sequins, sheen struck trousers, head-to-toe palettes, or beaded embellishments, the options are aplenty but all with one common message – ‘Put on your party shoes!’
