Our Editors’ Top Runway Looks for Fall/Winter 2021

Every August, without fail, our editors scour and scan the latest and greatest fall/winter trends for the upcoming season. This year, the pandemic has left us with closets full of grey sweats (and trust us, we don’t mind that!). However, if you’re ready to step out (safely) and be seen, we’ve got the scoop on autumn and winter’s most dazzling trends that are sure to get you into the cozy, luxe end-of-year holiday mood.

Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute Leatrice Eiseman says colors for fall/winter 2021 will offer “a range of pragmatic hues infused with vivifying bright pops” and will “support our lifestyle of continual reinvention and convey a promise of reemergence.” If that doesn’t inspire you, maybe the color palette will.

These colors were the stars of the runway, but also making an appearance were the softer palettes in sophisticated leathery hues and lots of blue shades (more on that below).

And of course, the neutral staples, icy greys and coconut cream snowy whites.

Now that the palette is set, let’s get into the runway.

Stay Puft

Does the puffer coat ever really go out of style? We don’t think so. This fall/winter season we’ll see long variations in saturated colors, monochromatic palettes (a la Rick Owens), and shiny late-90s style textures. It’s timeless, street-chic, and warm AF.

Wear it:

Black Like My Soul

This spring we saw pastels take over like the Easter basket exploded. Time to darken it up a bit and bring back the black to edge out our wardrobe. Pair it with saturated brights in your makeup and don’t forget to add texture with a bit of sequin or satin. We also love how Dolce & Gabbana threw it back to the 90s with these shoulder pads.

Cozy Cool

If we noticed anything about the fall/winter 2021 season’s looks, it was that cozy is here to stay. But the sweatpants have been amped up to tailored white and cream jackets lined with cozy furs and paired with edgier accessories like a pleated monochromatic skirt.

Wear it:

Got the Blues

From cobalt to icy blue, all ocean shades reigned supreme on the runways for fall and winter. Oscar de La Renta went with pure cobalts while Loewe stuck to electric blues paired with pops of primary colors in geometric shapes. Miu Miu displayed powdery blue puffers mixed with bright yellows and deep reds for an artsy aprè ski look. We love how Phillip Lim paired this powder blue knit with a menswear suit in classic grey.

Wear it:

Our favorite trend, by far, was how many designers focused on creating more accessible luxury for consumers while incorporating sustainable practices in their supply chain from people to planet. From recycled ocean plastic to upcycled denim, we cannot emphasize enough how iconic it is for designers to finally make sustainability a key player in fashion.

Cheers to a bright and prosperous future, Donnas!