Trend report: What to wear for AW21
New season, new trends! I don’t subscribe to big changes so I tend to look for second-time-around trends that suit my personal taste. (Much more manageable that way.) We’re all a bit more conscious about how we shop now so here’s a gentle reminder that you can probably just shop your existing closet for some of these. While there’s definitely a sense of ‘going out out‘ energy in the air, I’m more focused on the everyday wardrobe. So new denim silhouettes, elevated knits, hands-free bags and the perfect boots it is – with a little wellness and beauty newness included!
1/ WATCH BAES? IT’S TIME. It’s taken a while, but classic women’s watches are having a moment. Recognised as timeless accessories rather than simply timekeepers, their popularity is being celebrated by watchfluencer platforms such as Hodinkee and Brynn Wallner’s Dimepiece. The secondary watch market is booming too, with The RealReal reporting high resale value for Cartier (below) and Patek Philippe. While Gen X and Y ‘watch baes’ are often after discreet small-face styles, I predict Gen Z will fall for the retro lure of – brace yourself – the super-statement Michael Kors Chrono. (Don’t recall it? Here’s a primer from the DRG vault.)
2/ STRUCTURED DENIM. If Hedi (the pioneer of Y2K skinny jeans) says adieu to the lean, leggy look in favour of a fuller proportion, you know it’s time to go wider. Which in my opinion looks better on most people anyway. Not extreme width though (leave that to TikTok). Hermès (below) has the perfect dark wash, rigid but curved trouser-jean with a high waist and a length that hits above the ankle bone – just right for boot season. I’m also referencing 80s Alaïa jackets (below, add gold jewellery) and Mango’s 100% cotton jumpsuit* (below).
3/ THE SCOUT SCARF. I spotted these cool scarves first at Jil Sander men’s (see below), and then on producer Tony Lawrence in the Summer of Soul film. Studio Nicholson is advocating for them well into SS22. While the Jil Sander one is actually a hood-scarf hybrid, you can find more classic silk squares at Les Belles Heures and Lescarf* in clean, geometric designs. Alternatively, try good old eBay, where you can also pick up an Hermès scarf ring.
4/ WELLNESS-TAINMENT. Peloton took the world by storm during lockdown, offering not only workout encouragement via its virtual classes but a whole lifestyle. Now considered a global content brand, the ‘Netflix of Wellness’ is set to open its London Peloton exercise studios and broadcast centre imminently. Expect other fitness brands to follow suit as health and wellness content becomes as essential as films, food and fashion.
5/ MINI VS MIDI SKIRTS. After years in the wilderness, mini skirts return, thanks in no small part to new season Gossip Girl (below). Admittedly short skirts aren’t really my style these days but they’re all the rage for a Gen Z hot girl autumn. Instead, I’m liking the idea of midi skirts*, to wear with hip-length sweaters*, knitted polos – more on those below –and The Row’s tall leather boots*.
6/ CASH REVIVAL. Despite a push for the ‘convenience’ of contactless transactions, some of us will not let go of our precious small leather goods. I’m wedded to my grandpa-style coin purse*, while Prada gets it too – it had miniscule coin pouches integrated on everything from jackets to gloves to belts featuring heavily in its AW21 men’s show. Meanwhile, multipurpose micro pouches continue to be popular with everyone from Joseph to Loewe*.
7/ ELEVATED POLO. “I would like to think of myself as the Benetton of the fitted sweater,” says Natalie Joos, whose knitwear line, Joostricot* (below) boasts fitted polos that spark joy with their retro elongated collars. Elsewhere, Khaite has the best slouchy polo in muted cashmere* or argyle merino wool*. Wear them loose and open necked for the autumn months, then buttoned up layered over a superfine rollneck* for winter.
8/ PEER-TO-PEER RESALE. The resale ecosystem continues to ramp up, with consumers – especially younger ones – becoming increasingly comfortable with selling on their out of favour purchases. Vestiaire Collective, one of the first marketplaces of this kind, received $216m investment from Kering earlier this year while McQueen, Gucci and Burberry have all partnered with Vestiaire or The RealReal on take-back initiatives. In the luxury resale space, 1stDibs has always been a kind of fantasy window shopping destination for heirloom furniture and jewels. But lately it’s noticing its contemporary fashion and jewellery is attracting younger customers to premium quality pieces around the $500 mark. At the lower end of the scale, Depop is the go-to place for younger pre-loved hunters (eBay who?) and recently sold to Etsy for $1.6 billion. The latest development here is keeping the take-back programme in-house. Re/Done (below) recently launched Re/Sell in the U.S, its second-hand platform that lets users upload their own descriptions, photos and price to be authenticated in-house. 80% of the final price is given to the seller as store credit to spend on more Re/Done product.
9/ OLD MONEY OUTERWEAR. Well-worn trench coats, padded ponchos, quilted gilets, and all manner of country estate outerwear are being unearthed from the garages and lofts of Home Counties parents. Blame the #oldmoneyaesthetic trend and the imminent release of Kirsten Stewart’s ‘Spencer’ film. I’ve got my eye on Lemaire’s raglan raincoat* and am hoping for a reprise in his Uniqlo U collection.
10/ TAKING TIME FOR TEA. I’m a major coffee head but increasingly seduced by the tranquil promise of tea. While matcha is crazily popular at the moment for its energy-boosting properties without the caffeine crash (Jenki is taking over East London), there’s a parallel movement towards slow, ritualistic tea culture. In Milan, the Xing Cha Chinese tea room has a tea café in the back and a shop in the front, which hosts tea ceremonies, tastings and ceramic exhibitions. And I must confess to a little envy of this tea-making nook (below) spotted on interior designer Rose Uniacke’s Instagram.
11/ DIY NAILS. Hand care is back in the spotlight. The Spate beauty newsletter reports that searches for nail foils are up 64% as people get playful with manicures again. For old school nail polish fans, I love J.Hannah’s wonderful deep neutral lacquers, such as Compost* (below), an earthy shade that founder Jess Hannah describes as ‘refined filth’ for colour-shy make-up lovers. But the big mani news this season is from Hermès and its hand care and nail colour line, Les Mains Hermès (below). Launching on October 15th, it comprises 25 nail colours, a nourishing oil, nail files, and hand cream.
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WORDS: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: credits t/c
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