The Top Fall 2021 Trends to Know and Buy

You'll fall head over heels.

Sara Holzman's avatar
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Published In Buying Guides
fall '21 trends
(Image credit: Courtesy)

Rebounding from a year full of loungewear, we’ve tuned into the fall 2021 collections—the third official (and possibly the last) fashion week, set in the virtual world—to pore over the trends for fashion's favorite season. Some of the usual suspects are back (we're looking at you, denim), but fierce leopard coats, luxe laces, and sultry blush tones are just some of the fall trends you can start getting amped up about right now.

Vested Interest
(Image credit: Courtesy)

Vested Interest

This preppy classic has peppered the runways in seasons past—but this year, sweater vests are casting an even wider net. There were deconstructed versions at 3.1 Phillip Lim (shown left), layering MVPs at Staud, and perfectly oversized iterations at Apiece Apart.

Staud
(Image credit: Courtesy of Staud)

Staud

Apiece Apart
(Image credit: Courtesy of a piece apart)

Apiece Apart

Rowing Blazers Warm & Wonderful x Rowing Blazers Sheep Sweater Vest
(Image credit: Courtesy of Rowing Blazers)

Rowing Blazers Warm & Wonderful x Rowing Blazers Sheep Sweater Vest

Denim Darlings
(Image credit: Victoria Beckha)

Denim Darlings

This season, designers are styling their denim pieces from head to toe. A full Canadian tuxedo, boot included, walked the runways at Victoria Beckham (shown left), while Alberta Ferretti opted for a relaxed denim 'fit in a worn blue jean hue.

Alberta Ferretti
(Image credit: Alberta Ferretti)

Alberta Ferretti

Dirty Pineapple
(Image credit: Dirty Pineapple)

Dirty Pineapple

Made You Blush
(Image credit: Courtesy of Fendi)

Made You Blush

Pretty pink hues took over soft satin separates at Fendi (shown left), adorned puffers as evening attire at Nanushka, and found a home on blush-toned baby doll dresses at Self Portrait.

Nanushka
(Image credit: Courtesy of Nanushka)

Nanushka

Self Portrait
(Image credit: Courtesy of Self Portrait)

Self Portrait

More or Lace
(Image credit: Courtesy of Gabriela Hearst/ Greg Kessler)

More or Lace

Delicate fabrics are on the mind again, bolstered by lace waist bands at Gabriela Hearst (shown left), lace button-down dresses at DSquared, and intricate head-to-toe lace silhouettes at Valentino.

DSquared
(Image credit: DSquared)

DSquared

Valentino
(Image credit: Valentino)

Valentino

Big Knit Energy
(Image credit: Courtesy of the row)

Big Knit Energy

Dramatic knits satisfied the need for a warm hug at Khaite, got the layered treatment at The Row (shown left), and juxtaposed floor-grazing trousers at JW Anderson.

JW Anderson
(Image credit: Courtesy)

JW Anderson

Khaite
(Image credit: Courtesy Khaite)

Khaite

& Other Stories Oversized Alpaca Blend Turtleneck Knit Sweater
(Image credit: stories.com)

& Other Stories Oversized Alpaca Blend Turtleneck Knit Sweater

Fringe Benefits
(Image credit: Courtesy Nanushka)

Fringe Benefits

Fringe lovers can rejoice in yet another season of hemlines and embroideries. Fringe-flecked diamonds covered leather coats at Nanushka (shown left), balanced out sleeves at Proenza Schouler, and made their mark on sweater dresses at Salvatore Ferragamo.

Proenza Schouler
(Image credit: Courtesy Provenza)

Proenza Schouler

Salvatore Ferragamo
(Image credit: Courtesy Salvatore Ferragamo)

Salvatore Ferragamo

Miami Vice
(Image credit: Courtesy of Moschino)

Miami Vice

Some of fall's fashion codes are–in one word—fun. Whimsical flamingo motifs spread their wings over ruched mini dresses at Moschino (shown left), oversized shoulders sauntered down the catwalk at Dolce & Gabbana, and '80s-inspired sportswear pieces lit up the runways at Armani.

Dolce & Gabbana
(Image credit: Dolce & Gabbana)

Dolce & Gabbana

Emporio Armani
(Image credit: The Top Fall 2021 Trends to Know and Buy)

Emporio Armani

Everyday Opulence
(Image credit: Courtesy of Valentino,)

Everyday Opulence

Shimmering sequin coats reigned king at Prada's runway (shown left). At Valentino, oversized sequin sweaters juxtaposed flared mini skirts. At Imitation of Christ, sparkly crop tops felt celebratory, yet wearable.

Valentino
(Image credit: Courtesy of Valentino)

Valentino

Imitation of Christ
(Image credit: Courtesyof Imitation of Christ)

Imitation of Christ

Spotted: Leopard Coats
(Image credit: Courtesy Tiago Chediak)

Spotted: Leopard Coats

There's no shortage of wild outerwear pieces on the "cat" walk. The statement coat was styled grunge-esque at R13 (shown left), complemented a full feline ensemble at No.21, and looked utterly polished, when belted, at Etro.

No. 21
(Image credit: Courtesy No.21)

No. 21

(Image credit: Courtesy Etro)

Sara Holzman
Sara Holzman
Style Director

Sara Holzman is the Style Director at Marie Claire, where she oversees fashion coverage spanning seasonal trends, celebrity style, designers, Fashion Month, and shopping. With more than a decade of experience in fashion media, she has held roles at Condé Nast’s Lucky and Self and contributed style and travel coverage to Equinox’s Furthermore. A graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism, Sara is based in New York City, where she writes about fashion through both an industry and personal lens, including the realities of getting dressed as a working mom. Follow her on Instagram at @sarajonewyork.