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Fashion

Spring/summer 2021 fashion trends report

By Rebecca Gonsalves on 7/1/2021

It felt like the world stopped in early 2020, and yet our collective desire for fashion continued. Yes, that meant a run on leggings, tracksuits and all manner of formerly verboten yet comfortable clothes. At least at first.

But after a few months of comfort dressing, for many the desire to get dressed up again returned, even if we had nowhere further to go than our daily walks could take us.

As we reached the end of the year, fatigue set in once again, and slowly but surely the elasticated waists and cosy textiles crept back in.

For the spring/summer 2021 collections, designers showed empathy with the highs and lows we've collectively experienced: offering fantasy dressing-up options as well as recognition that things may never go back to the way they were.

The best part? It's all about the pick and mix approach. Whether that means you team your tracksuit trousers with a tulle gown, or your sequins with slippers is up to you.

Read on for our guide to the new season trends to know now. Culture Whisper is your curated guide to the best of London. We may earn a commission for items purchased through our retailer links.

Arket French terry hoodie, £55

Arket French terry hoodie, £55

Buy it here

Go naked

Go naked

The biggest dress trend was actually pretty small thanks to spaghetti straps, cut-outs and keyhole details. Even the more forgiving floor-sweepers were often cut from sheer fabrics to create a peekaboo effect.


From left: Fashion East by Nensi Dojaka; Gucci; Jacquemus

Mango chain satin dress, £59.99

Mango chain satin dress, £59.99

Buy it here

Nensi Dojaka asymmetric semi-sheer mini dress, £895

Nensi Dojaka asymmetric semi-sheer minidress, £895

Buy it here

Cult Gaia Serita twist-knot cotton-blend maxi dress, £458

Cult Gaia Serita twist-knot cotton-blend maxidress, £458

Buy it here

Reformation Underwood dress, £265

Reformation Underwood dress, £265

Buy it here

Denim for days

Denim for days

The ease of jeans is undeniable, especially when they're in a relaxed cut of super-soft washed denim, but there's a whole world for denim this season, with everything from mini- to midiskirts, dresses and jackets.


Blue denim is a bright choice for summer but don't overlook more colourful options such as tie-dye, pastel or primary shades.


From left: Chloe; Celine; Alexander McQueen


Levi's Wellthread high loose jeans, £120

Levi's Wellthread high-waist loose jeans, £120

Buy them here

Pilcro slim denim midi skirt, £90

Pilcro slim denim midiskirt, £90

Buy it here

Whistles chambray dress, £119

Whistles chambray dress, £119

Buy it here

Mango V-neck denim dress, £49.99

Mango V-neck denim dress, £49.99

Buy it here

The bra is back

The bra is back

During last summer's most sizzling moments, many a work-from-homer will have stripped down to their underwear in a bid to beat the heat. That look might not get the green light from HR, but it's certainly gained momentum on the catwalks with all manner of crop tops, bralettes and bustiers on display. From foundation garment to statement separate, the bra is back with a bang.


From left: Altuzarra; Simone Rocha; Hermès

Urban Outfitters wraparound top, £42

Urban Outfitters wraparound top, £42

Buy it here

Casa Raki Sofia strapless woven top, £95

Casa Raki Sofia strapless woven top, £95

Buy it here

Mango tie cotton top, £19.99

Mango tie cotton top, £19.99

Buy it here

Out From Under Dianna racerback bra top, £18

Out From Under Dianna racerback bra top, £18

Buy it here

Reformation Tara two-piece, £300

Reformation Tara two-piece, £300

Buy it here

Layer cake

Layer cake

Reaching for layers has become an almost innate response to tough times from the fashion industry. This season that approach can take you in one of two directions: a second-skin base layer that can be as practical or whimsical as you like, or a tunic or dress layered over trousers that emanates a 'ready for anything' vibe.


From left: Fendi; Prada; Jil Sander

Whistles multicolour tiger leopard print high neck, £59

Whistles multicolour tiger leopard-print high-neck, £59

Buy it here

Cos pleasted cotton top, £35

Cos pleated cotton top, £35

Buy it here

Reformation Valeria top, £74

Reformation Valeria top, £74

Buy it here

Saturday/Sunday Elisabeth ribbed maxi dress, £88

Saturday/Sunday Elisabeth ribbed maxidress, £88

Buy it here

Arket crinkle dress, £89

Arket crinkle dress, £89

Buy it here

Colossal collars

Colossal collars

Who could have predicted that the collar would become such an important focal point? The trend has been bubbling away for a little while, but thanks to the way so many of us have been reframed by Zoom it has exploded. Think frothy Regency-esque ruffles, sharp sailor points and romantic macramé and lace versions.


From left: Patou; Rokh; Ami

Anthropologie Misty striped rainbow collar jumper, £90

Anthropologie Misty striped rainbow collared jumper, £90

Buy it here

Arket frill collar poplin shirt, £59

Arket frill-collar poplin shirt, £59

Buy it here

Maje Civial striped cotton shirt, £199

Maje Civial striped cotton shirt, £199

Buy it here

Mango frilled openwork blouse, £49.99

Mango frilled openwork blouse, £49.99

Buy it here

Anthropologie Marie textured ruffled blouse, £98

Anthropologie Marie textured ruffled blouse, £98

Buy it here

Disco dreams

Disco dreams

Party season was a washout this winter, but there's still hope for the summer months, when warmer weather opens up outdoor socialising once again. Regardless of whether we'll be kitchen discoing or dancing in the sand, there's plenty of inspiration for good times ahead.


From left: Balenciaga; Valentino; Louis Vuitton

Free People sequin embellished woven top, £130

Free People sequin-embellished woven top, £130

Buy it here

Ports 1961 sequin embellished trench coat, £1,255

Ports 1961 sequin-embellished trenchcoat, £1,255

Buy it here

Rotate Birger Christensen Judy padded shoulder cropped sequin jacket, £250

Rotate Birger Christensen Judy padded-shoulder cropped sequin jacket, £250

Buy it here

How wide can you go

How wide can you go

A new pair of skinny pants is unlikely to be high on anyone's lust list for a while, and the fashion pack collectively heaved a sigh of relief when all manner of wide-leg trousers sashayed across the season.


From left: Bottega Veneta; Michael Kors Collection; Jason Wu

Mango wide leg pleat detail trousers, £49.99

Mango wide-leg pleat-detail trousers, £49.99

Buy them here

Cos high-waisted wide-leg trousers, £79

Cos high-waisted wide-leg trousers, £79

Buy them here

Nanushka Cleo wide-leg high-rise vegan leather trousers, £370

Nanushka Cleo wide-leg high-rise vegan leather trousers, £370

Buy them here

Ganni pleated straight high-rise woven trousers, £125

Ganni pleated straight high-rise woven trousers, £125

Buy them here

Frankie Shop Boy striped high-rise woven trousers, £155

Frankie Shop Boy striped high-rise woven trousers, £155

Buy them here

Back on track

Back on track

Who hasn't succumbed to the comfort of athleisure this past year? That lifestyle change has been embraced with gusto by designers who've shown us not only that elasticated waists don't have to mean you've given up, but that with a bit of sass sweats can be a style statement in their own right.


From left: Balenciaga; No 21; Miu Miu

Urban Outfitters Baltimore tie-dye sweatshirt, £46

Urban Outfitters Baltimore tie-dye sweatshirt, £46

Buy it here

Whistles navy side stripe jogger, £89

Whistles navy side-stripe joggers, £89

Buy them here

Fenty high-neck jersey tracksuit jacket, £430

Fenty high-neck jersey tracksuit jacket, £430

Buy it here

7 Days Active Monday logo-print cotton-jersey jogging bottoms, £110

7 Days Active Monday logo-print cotton-jersey jogging bottoms, £110

Buy them here

Share:

fashion

trends

spring/summer 2021

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