Fall/Winter 2021/22 Trends

Hits & Misses

Good day, reader dear!

Now that we’re past the Labor Day holiday, it feels like fall might finally come! So the timing is right for some fall style inspiration.

I like to stay on top of the style trends. Not in the sense of jumping on the trend wagon and becoming a fashion victim, but in the knowing-what’s-going-on sense. Style and fashion is part of culture and being aware of what’s trending is like knowing what shows on Broadway are the must-see’s. Or what teams are storming their way to a championship.

Time moves on and change is the only constant. Ignoring current events and the trends is like listening to the oldies radio station and complaining about about the noise those young people call music. You don’t have to change unless you choose to, but losing touch robs you of the ability to appreciate the changes around you. (And put them into context!)

Quite a few of the trends from Summer 2020 and Summer 2021 are still going strong: sleeve details, belted looks, lots of denim, and wide legged trousers to name a few. Let’s see if we can branch out from these into other styles to look for this fall and winter. Fast fashion has harnessed FOMO to create a never ending cycle of fashion seasons, but for our purposes, let’s stick with the two season (Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter) seasonal model. (As stick-in-the-mud-ish as that may sound.)

Here are five trends I’m interested in playing with or am loving for my clients.

Note: Not every style here works for all body shapes, personalities or lifestyles!

Let’s begin with the Hits…

Cozy Knits

NOT a fall surprise.

Related Trends and Finds: coordinated sets, sweater dresses, oversized knits, apres-ski, chunky knits, loooong sleeves, ponchos

Cozy knits are everywhere. Call it a response to pandemic dressing if you’d like, but it doesn’t matter from where it comes. Cozy oversized and long knits make style sense for cold months. We’re seening cropped knits, too. (Maybe not as practical unless as a layer over.) Beware the supersized versions and superchunky knits. If they are lighweight enough to be comfortable, they’re also likely to stretch and pill. (Not to mention catch on everything in sight.) Check your fiber content! Also, when buying oversized–take layering into consideration. I’ve seen sweaters with sleeves (and underarms) that make it impossible to wear a coat. Not so cozy when you have to take yourself outside.

Color

You know this trend makes me happy!

It’s season of not-just-fall-colors! You wouldn’t be mistaken in thinking it looks like spring! We are seeing plenty of pale and saturated colors, often in unusual combinations. Three color darlings this season are particularly non-fall: lime green, blush pink and lilac. I love how they mix with traditional fall shades to give them an update.

Opulence

For day. There’s a carpe diem feel, likely another direct result of the last year and a half… We’re also seeing strong 1920’s influences. Easy ways to add a touch? Velvets and lace for daytime. Ever considered velvet ribbon shoelaces? Why not? Sequins. Sparkly chandelier earrings. And fur/faux fur. Especially leopard coats.

Opulence is a trend I can TOTALLY get behind. I think every day can use a touch of something special. I’ve already broken out my navy jacquard jacket! Now, to keep my eye open for a cool toned leopard coat. That’s been on my wish list for more than five years. Maybe this will be my year!

Sweater Vest

Wasn’t sure whether to include this as its own trend or mention the lowly sweater vest in a section about layers… We are seeing sweater vests (and vests/waistcoats) everywhere. These are not your preppy tennis sweaters, although you’ll see those, too! We are seeing vests in every color, shape, and neckline. Layered over. Worn alone as a top. Buttoned up. Open over a shirt. You name it. It’s out there.

The sweater vest is great for both the warm-natured soul and the cold-natured. Vests are ideal for layering–you get texture and pattern (if you so choose) without all the extra heat of a sleeved sweater. AND they fit much better underneath a jacket or blazer, avoiding the stuffed-sausage-arm syndrome so commonly suffered by layer lovers!

I won’t invest in this one, but I’ll be wearing a short-sleeved sweater over a blouse for my version!

Serious Boots

Boots? A fall trend? You don’t say! (Cue The Devil Wears Prada meme… Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking.) I’m glad to hear Knee-High Boots are making a comeback. My trusty dress boots have been reheeled and resoled so many times there’s not much left. The lining is crumbling and I am left with black flecks every time I take them off…

What we are seeing that IS different is kick-booty stomping boots. You’ll still see little ankle boots, but these are ankle boots on steroids. If you have an old pair of Docs in your closet, break them out! This is YOUR year. Big thick lug soles are storming the stores and the streets. Anything that looks like a combat boot is being worn with everything. Mini-skirts. Jeans. Maxi-dresses. Elegant sweater dresses. Suits. This is the shoe of the season. If heavy looking lug soles aren’t for you, give it a miss. (I’m pretty sure if Mama gets wind of this trend she’ll call them Frankenstein boots.)

Misses

So if the five mentioned above are the hits, what do I think are the misses? Where to begin?

Furry/Fuzzy Footwear: I know they are cozy, but ewww. What kind of dirty will they get in a New York minute?

Logomania: And I mean mania. We’re talking head to toe logos. I’m not a fan of logos in general. You want me to advertise your wares? I shouldn’t be paying you for the privilege.

Micro-Minis: Brrrr.

Supersteroid Puffers (AND Supersteroid Knits): Uber-short trend time. And not well wearable by 99% of the population. I don’t need to look like the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man. I’d wager you probably don’t want that look either.

Cut-Outs and Crop Tops: Think strategically placed gaps in tops, sweaters and dresses, exposing a glimpse of midriff, back, or collarbone. I expect we’ll also see keyhole necklines (a variation) as well. To be perfectly honest, I don’t get this trend for fall/winter. Spring summer? Makes sense. The colder months? For special occasion wear? Sure. You can connect the cut-out trend to the strategically applied lace we are seeing on sleeves and dresses for those of a more covered up nature.

How About You?

Do you follow the seasonal trends? How? Do you watch the runway reports? Rely on magazines? YouTube your way into a new season? Are any of these trends on your radar? Are there any that suit YOUR style? Which wouldn’t you be caught dead in? Is there a trend I missed (There are literally dozens.) that you love? Do tell… I so love to hear what you are thinking…

Stylishly yours,

PS: The odd thing about this season’s trends? As I was image hunting, I kept running across Fendi 2015 and 2016 advertising images… A brand ahead of its time?