The most recent fashion trends are ones that are simple to put on but nevertheless appear as if you put in just enough effort to do whatever it is you do throughout these unusual, strange days and nights. We may all benefit from apparel that helps us feel at ease and comfortable, whether it’s for daily Zoom meetings and a few critical errands, the occasional (safe!) outside supper, weekend park outings, or in-person business. While projecting runway fashion trends isn’t entirely futile—they will always have influence—it appears that designers and retailers are increasingly turning to social media, youth culture, nostalgia, street style, and celebrities for inspiration.
While I’m a firm believer in personal fit and dressing in a way that makes you feel good, regardless of what’s considered ‘cool,’ I’m also not immune to being influenced by trends. As a fashion editor, it’s my job to look at runway photos, analyze celebrity outfits, and predict what the next ‘It’ item might be. Kendall Jenner can only step out in a perfectly oversized pair of trousers so many times before I find myself fishing my old work pants of a drawer and giving the look a go.
I have, however, learned the hard way that not every trend has to be something that I, personally, follow. But just looking ahead to what I think will be the biggest trends from now until spring, the lineup feels particularly flattering and versatile. For months, I’ve been adding specific, celebrity-approved pieces to my wardrobe, and I think I’ve discovered a few long-term favorites.
Seemingly every designer and retailer from Balenciaga to Zara is taking cues from the humble tractor boot, which had a massive surge in fall 2020 and will only become more widespread next year. Characterized by an almost comically rounded toe and a thick, rugged sole, it’s among the current fashion trends that look as at home under a long dress or with a super-short skirt as it does paired with slouchy sweatpants or leggings. Consider this one of the current fashion trends worth the investment. Few items can replace your favorite pair of worn-in heather gray sweats, the demand for sweatpants in a variety of colors, including pastels and juicy bolds, was strong. Blame it on the idea that, once we felt comfortable to go outside again, our commitment to comfort didn’t waver but we still wanted to shop for and wear pieces that felt a little more fun than what typically colored sweatpants telegraph.
