Fall/Winter 2020/2021 Trends

With each year comes new trends and the return of fall favorites and it’s never too late to stay up to date on what trends will be filling your closet this Fall/Winter 2020/2021 Season. But who and what determines the hottest trends that so many of us urge to add to our closets?

Well, first it begins with the annual Pantone Color of the Year. The Pantone Color of the Year is an annual color selection made by the Pantone Color Institute which influences product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries including fashion, home furnishings, and industrial design, as well as product packaging and graphic design. The products you purchase are impacted by the annual selection, as well as other color palettes released in accordance with the color of the year. This year’s Pantone Color of the Year is Pantone 19-4052 Classic Blue and while crossing the threshold into this new season, let’s not forget past color selections that continue to shape the Fall/Winter 2020/2021 Season.

Fashion is all about being bold and making a statement which is exactly what this season has promised us. Listed below are popular trends of the Fall/Winter 2020/2021 Season.

FALL/WINTER 2020/2021  COLORS

1. Red Tones (Samba, Burnt Henna, Fired Brick, Mandarin Red)

2. Orange Tones (Exuberance, Amberglow, Peach Nougat)

3. Yellow Tones (Green Sheen, Celery)

4. Green Tones (Ultramarine Green, Misty Jade)

5. Blue Tones (Classic Blue, Strong Blue, True Blue)

6. Purple Tones (Magenta Purple, Lupine) 

7. Pink Tones (Rose Tan, Pale Blush)

8. Neutral Colors (Military Olive, Sheepskin, Blue Depths, Dress Blues, Sleet, Almond Oil, Jet Stream)

9. Earth Tones (Sandstone, Tawny Birch)

10. Neons (Safety Yellow, Neon Fuchsia, Knockout Pink, Green Gecko)

Within the 20 years that Pantone has selected a color of the year, variations of that color have been introduced and produced through color palettes inspired by the annual selection. Past selections ranging from Sand Dollar and Honeysuckle to Greenery and Classic Blue are shaping the Fall/Winter 2020/2021 Season. Now, more than ever, are the experimentation of bold and bright colors being mixed into fall and winter fashion. From bright pinks and bold blues to olive greens and pale blushes, this fashion season is pushing the limits on traditional trends. 

PATTERNS

1. Houndstooth

2. Animal Prints (cheetah/zebra/cow/snakeskin) 

3. Tie-Dye 

4. Plaid

5. Tapestry/Carpet Inspiration 

6. Florals 

7. Patchwork 

8. Pinstripes 

Much of the patterns trending this fall are 90s to early 2000s inspired. With films like Clueless, Empire Records, 13 Going on 30 and Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen shaping fashion, bold patterns are in its highest demand. The commonality shared amongst these movies is that they are as timeless as the fashion worn within them.

FABRICS & FOLDS

1. Silk

2. Cotton

3. Leather

4. Wool

5. Suede

6. Corduroy

7. Denim

Gabardine (Burberry Trench Coats) a woven twill fabric that can be made up of worsted wool, silk, and most commonly cotton. And while a majority of these fabrics are in constant use throughout the year, they are most prevalent during the fall season as we transition into cool weather and cozy fabrics.

FOOTWEAR

1. Platform Combat Boots

2. Thigh High Heeled Boots 

3. Square Toed Boots 

4. Platform Sneakers 

5. 90s Strappy Heels 

From Dr. Martens Black Smooth Leather Lace Up Boots to Nike’s 1972 Cortez Running Shoe, footwear of the past are making a return. And whether in rain, snow, or sunshine, pieces like Steve Madden’s Gabriella Black Heel, 90s inspired strappy-heels will not be put on hold. Dressed up or down, this style remains a staple piece in Fall/Winter 2020/2021 fashion.

BOTTOMS

1. Flared Pants

2. High Waisted Pants 

3. Straight Leg, Wide Leg, and Boot Cut Pants/Jeans

4. Leather Pants 

5. Leather Skirts 

6. Tennis Skirts 

7. Slip skirts 

8. Mid/Maxi Skirts 

9. School girl skirts 

10. Statement pants 

One of the most popular trends of the fall is a bit more I should say obedient to Fall/Winter 2020/2021 Season. The return of Tennis and School Girl inspired skirts have made a rapid come back in fall fashion as the appeal for these country club inspired looks are greater than ever before. But for those of you who tend to categorize yourselves on the more rebellious spectrum, leather skirts are still, and will always remain, a staple piece for fall fashion. As for being “fashion forward,” fashion must be bold and attract interest, and if you ask me, that’s exactly what it  has done thus far. Which brings me to my next point: statement pants. Over the past year the uprising of patterned pants have dominated the fashion world and continue doing so during the fall. From animal print, tie dye, patchwork, and tapestry/carpenter inspired pants, countless individuals are personalizing their boldness and making a statement sporting this style of pants.

COATS & JACKETS

1. Puffer Jackets

2. Oversized Jean Jackets 

3. Blazers 

4. Trench Coats

5. Leather jackets 

6. Sherpa/Shearling 

7. Corduroy Jackets 

8. Oversized Hoodies 

9. Grunge 90s Flannels

Coats and jackets are for fashion as much as they are function, especially this fall. What once was only considered a formal piece, is now able to be both dressed up or down. Blazers have become one of the hottest Fall/Winter 2020/2021 fashion trends and whether worn formally in a business setting or on a coffee run with friends, Blazers are being styled with all types of fashion: Sweatsuits, Dresses, Pantsuits. Ever heard of the term “Comeback Season?" Well that’s exactly what this season is. Trends of the past never did die, but were shortly forgotten until this past year when 70s to 90s fashion stormed into 2020. But beyond the timelessness of fashion, pieces that will forever be in demand are the classics: leather jacket, trench coat, oversized hoodie and jean jacket.

TOPS

1. Camisoles

2. Sleeveless Turtlenecks 

3. Cropped Turtlenecks  

4. Cropped Stretch Knit Tops 

5. Knit/cropped Sweaters  

6. Sweater Vests 

7. Crewnecks

Trends are constantly changing and the one trend that I am still shocked by that became one of the most popular pieces are Sweater Vests. Don’t get me wrong, I love the trend and think it has class and sophistication, but the first time I put on a Sweater Vest, I was the laughing stock of my family. Keep in mind I was 12-years- old.  

DRESSES & ROMPERS

1. Puff Sleeve Slip Dresses 

2. Drawstring Dresses 

3. Floral Midi/Maxi Dresses 

4. Long Sleeve Turtleneck Dresses

5. Sleeveless Turtleneck Dresses 

I’ve never been the “dress type,” more like the “sweatshirt and sweatpants type,” but I’ll make an exception this fall. The one commonality shared amongst these dress trends is comfort, and maybe that’s a personal opinion, but I stick by it. Fashion has not only become more fashionable this year, but comfortable as well. From drawstring and slip to puffy sleeves and turtleneck, styles of all kinds are being sported this season. With statement pants come statement dresses and puffy sleeves are making noise. Though previously introduced in 2019, 2020 made this style one of the biggest (and easiest) trends of the fall and winter season. And while this style dress is often viewed as traditional, it serves as yet another way for women to express their femininity with a fresh, new look ranging from fabrics like silk to taffeta. 

ATHLIESURE

1. Sweatsuits

2. Matching Sets 

3. Biker Shorts

Believe it or not, wearing sweatpants out in public has become more accepted than ever before, thanks to the Fall/Winter 2020/2021 Season. Not only are we seeing our favorite stars out in public styling sweatpants, but matching sweatsuits and biker shorts. Comfort continues to dictate the fashion industry because this effortless look is truly effortless. The sporting of comfortable fashion is transforming streetwear and taking Fall/Winter 2020/2021 trends to the next level as we are seeing individuals add their own taste to these trends through pieces like blazers, trench coats, and puffer jackets.