What you wear is a great indicator of who you are. Whether or not you admit to consciously caring about what you put on, fashion speaks for its wearer. It can reveal the things you value and the things you want to project. Why do you wear certain types of clothing? Are you trying to impress the people you know? Do you want to look good and project a positive image? Or are you perhaps simply wearing clothes for their function and comfort? Regardless of what you value when it comes to fashion, the importance of following fashion trends is undeniable.

In keeping up with such trends, you are made aware of what is currently stylish and what looks good for the majority, which will be helpful if you want to look confident and create a good impression for the people you meet. On the other hand, if you are the type to not care much about what you wear, following the trends can also benefit you. By being updated with the latest fashion trends, you will know what is best worn at certain instances, locations, and weather conditions.

However, in following such trends, how would you say that you are still unique and original when there are others like you who are also keeping up with what is trending? It is not uncommon to see a group of people who, despite not knowing each other, are wearing the exact same outfit. When many want to look a certain way, it can lead to a situation where everyone is wearing the same thing. What a person wears does speak volumes about the wearer. However, what is said does not amount to much when everyone else looks the same. How do you then reconcile the two? How do you keep up with the ever-changing trends in fashion while ensuring that what you wear truly represents you?

Here are the hottest fashion trends for menswear this 2021 as well as tips on how to remain unique and original despite following the trends. 

Fashion Trends to Keep Up With

Every era has had its own fashion trends that came and went. Back in the ’80s, pieces of clothing such as bomber jackets, tracksuits, and Hawaiian shirts were popular. On the other hand in the ’70s flared pants and aviator sunglasses were the rage. People then also opted for bright colors which matched well with the disco scene of the time. While many past trends died out along with their time, there have been many that have seen a resurgence in modern fashion. For 2021, there is no doubt a good mix of clothing that is inspired by both past and current trends. For the hottest fashion trends of the year, here are a couple of our picks of the best to take note of.

Crossbody Bags

Who said you can’t look good while keeping your belongings safe? Crossbody bags are especially great for that. Despite there being different kinds, the bag usually has a simple design that allows for easy carrying and is not too big or too bulky. Moreover, their look matches well with most outfits and can help cap off any outfit. The bag fits well with casual wear and is especially suited for everyday use or casual night outs with friends. For outfit combinations, a crossbody bag can be paired with a sweatshirt, chinos, and sneakers. For a smart-casual look, a light vest over a long-sleeved shirt should do the trick. While there are different kinds of crossbody bags, the messenger bag, hobo bag, and sling bag would be your go to’s for their simple and compact design.

Flares

Despite being a trend in the ’70s, flared pants have found their way back to fashion popularity. The signature pants have been typically recognized for their easily recognizable fitted upper leg and loose fit on the ankle. Flares pair just fine with a variety of clothes but are best suited for a casual look. For cold climate, the pants would do well with a loose sweater or even a blazer. On the other hand, a loose polo would be a great compliment for warmer temperatures. Flares are not very picky with the footwear they are paired with – sandals, boots or sneakers will do fine. 

Patchwork Prints

Patchwork prints are shirts designed using the cutouts of different pieces of clothing that have different styles and various colors. The shirt is far from traditional and puts a twist on regular clothing. Fitting best with casual wear, a patchwork printed shirt helps the wearer stand out due to the combination of colors and patterns they have. As it already stands out on its own, there is no need to pair it with an equally eye-catching bottom half. Pairing it with sneakers and neutral-colored pants would do well.

Comfortable and Functional Outerwear

Guarding yourself against inclement weather does not mean you have to look bad. Recent trends have pointed to pieces of clothing that both look stylish and do well in protecting yourself against the elements. As the primary purpose of these type of outwear is to protect, they pair well with both casual and formal wear. However, for styling purposes, it is best to pair them with jeans and boots or sneakers which would give a very laid back casual look. In deciding on a certain piece of outerwear, get a parka, quilted jacket, or a windbreaker.

Double Denim

There is no such thing as wearing too much denim. Despite falling out of style after the ‘80s, the double denim combination has found its way back into fashion trends. Although the overall outfit seems simple, different steps can be taken to ensure the stylish double denim look. For one, it is good to have contrasting shades between the top and bottom. This means having the top of a lighter shade and the bottom of a darker shade or vice-versa. Furthermore, you can add contrast by adding designs and embellishments. If you’re looking to stand out by wearing a trendier variation, use acid-washed denim. The bleached finish it gives to denim adds more depth and adds variation to the outfit.

Oversized and Loose Wear

Being comfortable and stylish does not have to be a separate thing. Recent fashion trends have leaned towards having more loose clothing rather than fitted ones. This will result in a comfortable laid back look that is best pulled off in casual settings. There are multiple ways in which this can be done. For one, it can be through wearing an oversized suit or blazer which can be paired with also oversized slacks or jeans. If you prefer to keep your suits and blazers fitted, you can pull off the look with an oversized sweatshirt that you can easily pair with regular jeans and sneakers.

Vertical Stripes

Vertical striped clothes are known to be good at making the wearers seem much taller and slimmer than they actually are. This fashion trend would be good to pick up for those wanting to seem like they either shed a few pounds or grew a bit. The good news for those interested, is that majority of outfits come with their own vertical striped variation. Furthermore, they fit with both the casual or formal setting. For a casual look, pair a striped sweater with regular jeans. For a formal look, a vertical striped suit would do well by either contrasting solid colored pants or a matching pair of striped pants.

Cardigans

A cardigan is a piece of comfortable knitted outerwear that is typically paired with dress shirts and is best suited for the office environment. However, it is not limited to that and also pairs well with casual attires. For a casual look, the cardigan is often paired up with a normal shirt, jeans, and sneakers. However, recent trends have pointed to using an oversized cardigan as a coat while pairing it with any casual outfit. A good combination would be to wear it with a turtleneck, trousers, and boots.

Rugby Shirt

The rugby shirt is a long-sleeved collared shirt that usually comes in either a solid colored or striped design. This is paired best with jeans and dress shoes and greatly compliments a smart-casual outfit. 

High Waisted Trousers

This is a classic look that has recently found its way back to popularity due to its versatility and its ability to fit well with a multitude of outfits. For a casual look, it is best paired with a tucked-in t-shirt or an open shirt. A regular suit and tie combination would suffice for the formal look.

How to Stay Trendy Yet Unique

There is no questioning that the outfits recommended above look good on their own. However, what has to be considered is that anyone can pull off the look. In the end, sticking too closely to the fashion trends of the year 2021 will result in an unoriginal look that is about as impressive as the clothes the person beside you is wearing. To create a look that is trendy, yet purely you, will take more than paying attention to the trend. To help you with that, here are some tips on how to stay unique despite being trendy.

Have a Tailor 

Having a tailor is more than correcting a piece of clothing to a certain size or a certain length. With a tailor, you can customize your clothes to be unlike what anyone else has – to be something no one can find or buy. Through customization, you can jazz up your desired piece of clothing with anything, from your favorite colored button to a special zipper. Furthermore, you can embellish it by adding some personal designs. You can spell out your name, add a patch, or play around with it. Taking advantage of a tailor’s services is a way to leave your personal touch on your clothes – to make them truly yours.

Accessorize

Accessories are good for completing your outfit. They add an extra touch that is effective in improving and making your outfit much better than it is. Furthermore, they can be avenues for displaying your personality. Through your accessories, you can showcase your hobbies and passions. Loved a recent film? Why not cap off your outfit with an accessory associated with it. Idolize a certain actor or character? Why not model your look after theirs and use accessories similar to theirs. From earrings to rings to hats to scarves, there are endless possibilities with accessories. It is only up to you.

Use Other Colors 

Although the typical black, grey, and brown do look good and are easy to pair with and pull off, honestly, they are quite boring, and wearing them is the easiest way to be not unique. If you want to stand out, you can start by wearing other colors such as the lighter shades of blue, yellow, and red. However, as it stands, the boring colors are the easiest to pull off, and with the untrained eye, trying out different shades could lead to a disaster of mixed colors that do not work together. To prepare against this, the best that can be done is basically to follow the fashion trends and their guides and suggestions for color palettes and combinations. 

Do Not Limit Yourself to the Trends

In the end, fashion trends are only guides. They do not speak for everyone, especially for you. What is important is your own personal taste and preferences. Where do you feel comfortable? Which outfits and combinations do you truly like? Your personal taste is the best way to stay unique. Perhaps consulting the trends only helps in further refining your taste and to make sure it agrees with others.

You’re in It Whether You Like It or Not

It was Miranda Priestly from the The Devil Wears Prada who effortlessly explained how fashion trends could influence the choices of people who believe that they don’t follow any of these trends. In a dialogue between her and the movie’s protagonist, Andi Sachs, she explained how their decisions would trickle down to the different available styles and colors that would be available in the bargain bins that Miranda claims Andi loves so much. Andi’s blue sweater wasn’t just blue; it was a cerulean sweater that was meticulously picked by top fashion designers. Whether you like it or not, you are somehow actually still following these fashion trends.

You Are What You Wear

Clothes showcase a great part of who you are. They are more than their use and are worn not only for the sake of wearing them. Times have changed and clothes have now also become an avenue for self-expression. Following the trends is only one way of making sure that you are happy with what you wear. By looking good, you are able to be confident with the people you know as well as project a positive image of yourself. However, more than simply looking good, it is also important to stay true to yourself. It is in knowing how to remain unique that not only do you look good, but are also able to project an image of yourself that is truly you.