How the Old Year Heralds the Fashion Trends of 2021


The New Year signifies a lot of “new” things for different people. It gives people the feeling of a fresh start and new hope. Resolutions, plans, projects – name it! People are sure to keep a list of the things they want to try out with a new year ahead of them. Just like with a lot of “new” things to try, fashion trends are also part of the things to look forward to when a new year comes.

New Year, New You!

Everyone knew what happened in 2020 – it was a year that took a lot of unexpected turns in people’s lives. New trends emerged and some have sailed away. With the world slowly opening up again and a newfound optimism coming along with, the world of fashion also slowly opens up. After all, we are all not just confined in our apartments 24 hours a day 7 days a week. People have been slowly going out of their homes, and slowly giving importance again to being stylish. We have to admit – we kind of missed our pre-pandemic selves. As much as we enjoyed being in baggy shirts and sweatpants all day, doesn’t it spark joy when we see ourselves in the mirror dressed up nicely? It sure does!

Trends of 2021

Back in the height of the pandemic, everyone prioritized comfort over style. Being at home all day definitely made people switch from their office wear to loungewear as their daily attire. Who knew it would be possible to attend meetings in sweatpants and slippers? Well, the pandemic made that seem so normal! Even though we all say we are done with 2020, some of the behaviors and preferences that we adapted during 2020 are undoubtedly carried over this 2021. We still value comfort, practicality, and functionality – just in a more fashionably conscious manner now. These trendy pieces are not all entirely new to us anyway. After all, fashion is a cycle. What was trendy seasons ago can and may be trendy again now.

In terms of actual fashion, the biggest hits of past decades are predicted to return back to the sphere. Who would expect keeping some items from the previous years would be so handy in the future? Sustainability is also predicted to play an important role in the fashion industry. People have been becoming more conscious of their purchases. Recycled bottles, plastics, and other waste materials will be made into clothing or footwear pieces. After all, the younger generations are reported to be willing to spend a bit more if it meant the products are good for the environment.

Sustainability and Repeating Outfits

The pandemic really changed a lot of our mindsets. It has changed our way of living, working, and even shopping. With the pandemic in 2020, consumer behavior was reported to have changed. People have changed their lifestyles to lessen their negative environmental impact. Now, people are looking for alternative options to fast fashion. Instead, closet staples and everyday basics are the favorite pieces of a lot of shoppers. According to research done by McKinsey, 64 percent of shoppers decreased their spending on clothing and footwear during the pandemic. Conscious shopping is definitely one of the biggest trends, pushing brands to come up with more eco-friendly products and responsible clothing this 2021.

With this, more small businesses and sustainable brands have been emerging. 2020 showed us how devastating the world can get especially if we are not going to be careful with our actions. People ended up becoming more supportive of brands that do some good for the people, planet, and animals. Studies have shown that the sustainable fashion market is expected to reach $9.81 billion in 2025 and $15.7 billion in 2030. People are motivated now more than ever to support brands.

In order to make this growing demand meet the needs of the shoppers, brands will have to factor in sustainability as one of their main efforts in 2021. Recently, large fashion brands have launched their own versions of “sustainable” or “conscious” lines in order to jump into the sustainability bandwagon.

With the 2020 pandemic keeping us mostly indoors, one of the behaviors we have adapted would be repeating outfits. This has a lot to do with how we learned to prioritize basic and classic pieces over the loud and trendy ones. Repeating outfits are easier to be done when wearing simple pieces that can be mixed and matched in different ways. This is also in line with the sustainability trend. This 2021, shoppers are expected to go for plainer and simpler choices that are easier and more sustainable to wear around.

All for Comfort

We know 2020 made us appreciate our loungewear and athleisure pieces 100x more than usual. After all, the pandemic made us prioritize comfort while being safely tucked in our homes. Loungewear, active-wear, and athleisure sales grew so much in 2020 and are expected to trickle in 2021. Even with a new year ahead of us, do not be so quick to throw away the trusty old sweats that gave you comfort during 2020 as these babies will surely find a place in 2021, just in more stylish ways.

What Else to Expect in Apparel

With all of the different styles that are coming out we might need to take a look at a couple of them individually. Here are a couple of trends to expect in men’s apparel this 2021.

New Utility 

The utility trend has been making its way to our closets for many seasons now, with the utility jacket making waves in the Spring/Summer 2020. This time, the look has been updated to make its way into 2021, with functionality being one of the main features. Earthy tones have been one of the emerging trends recently and so this kind of jacket has been a closet favorite for a lot of guys. For those who prefer to go for bolder prints and patterns, safari prints have been a go-to choice.

Bermuda Shorts 

Bermuda shorts have been making more and more appearances on the recent runways. For Spring/Summer 2021, the look really stands out more with the general mood being soft-toned perfect for summer vibes. Some of the most loved colors are foam, lilac, and candy floss. Others opted for bolder prints instead of colors. These shorts have been styled in different ways – ranging from white sneakers to dad sandals. These versatile pieces will be definitely seen more this 2021.

Florals 

A return of the 1970s has been one of the biggest trends recently. For the Spring/Summer 2021, the 1970s trend will come in the form of florals. Bold floral shorts, shirts, and polos will surely be seen more as we transition into warmer days in a few months. These florals will be seen being rocked in different ways – both for casual or smart casual events.

Relaxed Tailoring 

2020 made us all prioritize comfort and feeling breezy all day. Instead of the overly big and relaxed cuts, 2021 will move to a more relaxed and form-fitting style. It is a re-emergence of the 1980s and 1990s style. Relaxed cuts are better for casual and easy days when you want to appear more effortless but still put-together.

Work from Home Attire 

We know what you are thinking: “Is 2021 still all about working from home? Isn’t that more of 2020?” Well yes and no. Even though the situations are better and lockdown restrictions are more at ease now, we still cannot deny the presence of the pandemic. It is still very much real and around. This is why a lot of people are still working from home. If not completely working from home, they follow an alternate work from home and office setup. So, if you think your Zoom attire is going to be hidden and kept away in the closet for good, think again. Keep those comfy sweatpants and t-shirts.

What Else to Expect in Footwear

After knowing the trends for apparel, the look would not be complete without pairing them with trendy footwear. 2020 taught us that comfy and practical footwear was the best. Now that it’s 2021, we still want those things. Some of our favorite pieces from previous years have evolved in order to accommodate our growing preferences and trends.

Commando-Soled Chelsea Boots  

Chelsea boots have always been a favorite. With their elegant and low-cut style, they’re perfect for fair weather and a little bit of rain and cold. In 2021, commando-soled Chelsea boots have come to take their spot in the trendy pieces. This style is now fully adaptable to the cold. With a little bit more chunkiness, they become perfectly matched with looser fits and heavy layers.

Hiking Boots 

Hiking might come off as an intimidating word. After all, not everyone goes out for hikes. With the 2020 pandemic, we kept ourselves indoors more than usual. Not many hikes were done. However, hiking boots have become a loved footwear since they can withstand harsh weather conditions. They’re durable and comfortable – two traits that we all loved and looked for during the pandemic. Now that we can go out more this 2021, this kind of boots has been seen to be rocked during our short trips outdoors. Wear them with different closet staples – raw denim, corduroy, twill, flannel shirts, and cable knit jumpers, and you are definitely good to go!

Brogue Boots 

If you are not yet 100 percent ready to commit to the outdoor hiking look, brogue boots might be the perfect shoe for you. They are the more subtle version of the hiking boots – having some outdoorsy aesthetic and function. These brogue boots have a similar reassuring weight and solid construction of hiking boots, but with a wing-tipped smart casual look of brogues. Get these in a dark brown or black leather and pair with some wool suit and smart trousers for the perfect smart casual look. If every winter comes, these brogues can also be worn with heavy knits and quilted jackets, as well as corduroy and tweed.

Basic Sneakers 

Basic white shoes and a clean look that can easily be worn are definitely one of the top choices for a lot of men right now. Didn’t we mention above that 2021 is all about basics, practicality, and being able to repeat fashion freely? Well, it applies to footwear also. More people have been seen going for basic sneakers that they can use on multiple occasions. Slim and simple silhouettes are the easiest and most versatile designs after all. These go well with jeans, shorts, t-shirts, polos, and a lot more!

Retro Sneakers 

For those who are more into bolder and louder styles, retro designs have also been emerging. These retro sneakers come in different shades and hues with a mid to high-cut design. Most men love wearing these sneakers to be the bold statement of a basic outfit. After all, if you are already in basics for your top and bottoms, might as well add some fun through your footwear.

Fashion Forward 2021

Ah, 2021 – a new year filled with newfound optimism after the tragedy of 2020. Fashion is definitely one of the ways people express themselves and adapt to situations. Preferences have evolved due to the changed behavior that occurred during 2020. In 2021, we may experience a bolder year that transcends our choice of fashion, but a lot of us are still opting for the “safety” and “practicality” that we also look for in our clothes and footwear. Fashion is a cycle after all. With the economic recession that happened, it is perfectly fine to be economical, practical, and sustainable. The pieces you have now may not be the trendiest next season, but they will surely make a comeback in the next ones to come. Just like how retro or 70s, 80s, and 90s fashion are all back in the streets, you can expect this pattern to continue. Whether you are the type to still stick with basics or you are ready to go for bolder choices this 2021, what matters is that you feel your best through your fashion choices.