Here’s my new season rules (flares are back!)
ADMiTTeDlY, if we learned one thing in 2020 it’s that you can’t predict what’s around the corner. But, the vaccine’s coming, winter will turn to spring and, trust me, you will recover the urge to dress up, brush your hair and maybe even slip on some lowish heels. Have faith.
Here are some of the styles that will be the backbone of our wardrobes in 2021.
BRIGHT COLOUR
Designers are serving up an abundance of bright green and yellow, hot red and pink. The idea is we’ll wear them in blocks, two at a time, to cheer ourselves up; the reality is we’ll embrace a softer pink instead of navy or grey, sky blue instead of white, and we might just get a frog green patent handbag.
if you’re not yet feeling the urge for colour then switch on an episode or two of Netflix hit Bridgerton and let your eyes adjust to a colour saturated world.
RELAXED SHAPES
This is everything we love about tailoring, only tailored to our new lives, so more slouchy and less restricting and — for now — any colour but black. We’re talking about jackets with tie belts and utility pockets, trousers with elasticated waists and loose legs in floppy fabrics. You can still look chic (a sharp pointy shoulder is also in the mix), but you’ll be as comfy as you would be in pyjamas.
RAY-BAN AND CAPS
This was already settling in as a trend towards the end of 2020, thanks to America’s presidentelect Joe Biden or the catwalk looks from Celine, or some combination of the two.
some say the baseball cap is top of the fashion charts because it covers up our home-styled hair. others think it simply looks cooler than it has since Top Gun (and the ray-Bans, too). Think of your favourite celebrity, incognito at an airport in the old days of air travel. Then just add a blazer and flares.
FUNKY FLARES
You may be in the denial camp but, put it this way, already no one under 30 is wearing anything but a looser legged, flared at the hem, trouser shape. While it’s perfectly fine to stick to your straight-leg jeans, we are duty bound to tell you that the fashion- forward choice is flared and higher in the waist. ignore at your peril.
We’re looking at a shift in silhouette for 2021. it can be slinky and lean, but skinny below the waist it is not.
FORTIES ROMANCE
The catwalks provided plenty of Forties-ish puff-sleeved tea dresses, but what’s going to really fire up our appetite for romantic daywear is the forthcoming BBC TV production of Nancy Mitford’s The Pursuit of love (the one with lily James and Dominic West).
early stills show lily James and emily Beecham looking terrific in fur collars and slinky satin slip dresses, but what we’re interested in are the bow tied silk blouses, or a silk print top with a clashing knotted scarf, worn tucked into highwaisted trousers.
The new romantic top with trousers is definitely going to be a thing. slim platform sandals optional.
PRINTS CHARMING
We’re slowly discovering that prints are not to be feared or kept for exotic holidays, and that a colourful print injects richness and optimism (a popular word with fashion people at the moment) into your wardrobe. A print two-piece, either a blouse and skirt, or trousers, is the easy way to look like you’ve made an effort in the spring of 2021.
Go for full blown florals or splashy geometrics, just avoid the pineapples and parrots.
FULL SKIRTS
Micro minis are allegedly back for 2021 and, fortunately for those of us over 25, the full skirt is too. Whether it’s a layered tulle dress like the ones at Alexander McQueen, or a flared pleated skirt like those at Prada, the return of skirts with volume is in the wings.
We might not find the occasion for layers of rose tulle, but there is a yen for femininity in the air and, come spring, there’s every chance you’ll be looking for a fuller skirt to wear with a neat cropped cardigan and a belt. Belts are going to be big this year.
PRETTY TRAINERS
There were pointy low mules at Prada and low block-heeled slingbacks at Chanel, but you’ll be pleased to hear the old school trainer or tennis shoe — low top and neat — is elbowing out the ugly techno trainer. The pretty plimsoll is back.
PUFFED SLEEVES
Not just for little girls as they now come long or three-quarter length. And volume in your sleeves gives your shirts and dresses that 2021 boost. No jacket required.
SMART DENIM
We Now have enough off duty wear to last a lifetime, so this year denim has been promoted to the sharper, smarter go to. Crisply tailored flares or an A-line skirt in deep indigo are set to be the new smart casual staples.