Checkerboard
Admittedly, we’ve associated this whimsical print with summer. We blame picnic blankets. Time doesn’t exist and seasons are a lie. Wear this print head-to-toe all 12 months of the year, and definitely don’t ditch those $50 slip-on Vans. They never go out of style.
Vests
We did go through a phase last summer where seemingly everyone began wearing vests as shirts, aka the shest. We’ll likely revisit the shest once things warm up again, but right now, we’re looking at sweater vests as an accessory of sorts. They’re a quick, easy way to give shirts and dresses a boost. Don’t own a vest? DIY an old sweater by (carefully) cutting off the sleeves, or simply layer a muscle tee or tank over a long-sleeved shirt to create a similar look
Red
There’s something endlessly alluring about the color red – the hue of passion, love, adventure and energy. This powerful shade packs a punch in the SS21 collections, where it’s used top-to-toe for maximum. The key is keeping the rest of your look pared back – think slicked-back buns and minimal accessories to let the red really sing.
Leather luxe
For SS21, leather returns to reinterpret everyday classics into decadent pieces worthy of investment. After FW20’s earthy hues of sand, khaki and chocolate, leather is back in its most classic black, feeling instantly fresh and distinct from the lighter-weight cottons and colorful hues we will otherwise be filling our new-season wardrobes with. Thanks to an array of pieces already on offer, it’s never been easier to get a head start – look for utilitarian garments like shirts, midi dresses and loose blazers and pair with simple T-shirts and turtleneck sweaters to luxe up everyday styles.
Denim
Denim loosens up with a distinct ’70s edge. Wide-legged silhouettes where jeans sat high on the waist, cinched with a belt, but were loose in the leg for ultimate comfort that does not sacrifice on style. Don’t confine this daytime classic to weekend wear.
Joyful dresses
Nothing lifts the mood quite like a pretty dress or a painterly palette of color, and the SS21 collections combined the two to bring us dresses cheery enough to put a spring in one’s step. Saturated pinks were seen at Valentino, Roksanda, and Molly Goddard, who turned her usual signature diaphanous tulle designs into a versatile cotton midi dress, replete with spaghetti straps and a ruffled skirt that feels both ’50s tea dress and ’90s girly grunge all at once. JW Anderson and Proenza Schouler amped up the orange, with sculptural space-age skirts and slinky cut-out details that turn daytime dresses into night-time wardrobe allies. Best worn with a sunny disposition.