One of the most exciting aspects of the spring 2021 collections (which we saw virtually last winter) was the glimmer of hope—these were the clothes we could be wearing for our long-awaited reemergence. But at the moment, we find ourselves still months away from life as we knew it. Until then, the season’s assortment of standout knits works wonderfully for our indoor lives. And pandemic or not, the winter-to-spring transition is always an exciting one. We can finally put the frigid and short days of winter behind us, with sunnier days ahead.
Starting to assemble your own spring wardrobe? Use Vogue’s guide to the spring 2021 trends. We’ve compiled the best statement-making trousers, clingy knits, handcrafted fashions, and voluminous sleeves to be shopped—and our own editors have been eyeing a handful of them.
We’re liking all the leg-baring hemlines we see from Miu Miu to Maisie Wilen—by way of party-ready shorts and punchy-colored miniskirts—as well as springy body-hugging knit dresses from Proenza Schouler and Christopher Esber. It’s time to ditch baggy sweats once and for all! Some editors are gravitating toward bright-colored lightweight knits from Ganni and statement-making shades from Møy Atelier: Both are like odes to the season. Another spring accessory trend not to be missed? Pretty pastel pouches—perfect for heading out again—like Jil Sander’s satin bags.
It seems Vogue editors are in alignment: We’re all looking forward to getting dressed up again for spring, even if the only people who’ll see it are our Instagram and TikTok followers. Here, the 18 spring 2021 trends our editors will be wearing all season long.
I’m loving these satin Jil Sander pouches in beautiful pastels, perfect for when the time finally comes for warmer days and dinners outside.
As we begin to ease out of our sweatpants, I’m excited to experiment more in the trouser department and have been really into all the statement pieces that have been popping up for spring. Balenciaga’s striped poplin pants gives you that laid-back vibe while still feeling smart. And I kind of love that the elasticated waist looks like men’s boxer briefs. Very excited for the weather to warm up so I can wear something as breezy as this; they’re like pajama pants for the real world.
I personally have not stopped thinking about Prada’s spring show. I am completely obsessed with the ladylike A-line Re-Nylon skirts paired with punky cut-out knits. Instead of a kitten heel, I am going to pair it with a classic loafer for the spring look of my dreams.
From Louis Vuitton to Tory Burch, sweater vests made appearances all over the spring runways. I’m looking forward to testing out this trendy layering hack with a colorful piece like Ganni’s button-up iteration in bright green cashmere.
If I had all the money in the world and no conscience whatsoever, I’d buy an entire new summer wardrobe. The idea of wearing the clothes I slogged through the pandemic in feels utterly depressing. I want to look and feel completely different, which starts with wearing things I haven’t tried in years. Miniskirts aren’t as radical as all of that sounds, but for me it’s a big divergence from my usual flowy dresses and calf-length skirts. I’d wear this one now with tights and a big sweater and later with a vintage button-down and strappy sandals.
I am on a real ’70s kick lately. In the spring, I could see myself wearing these groovy heeled Gucci boots with (slightly) flared jeans or maybe checkered trousers. Definitely with a camp-collar shirt, though.
As I look ahead to warmer, sun-drenched days, slinky knits are on my mind. Minimalist and ribbed, these spring pieces will feel airy and comfortable against my skin while still giving off that ultrasleek and put-together vibe. It’s the perfect transitional outfit for when we (hopefully) reemerge again.
This spring is centered on hopeful reemergence and reinvention. And the fashion industry is certainly taking notes, with the latter seen in nearly every spring 2021 collection—most notably classic knits traditionally saved for the colder months reimagined into unconventional vests, handbags, and slides. I’m looking forward to revamping cozy cashmeres and wools into light and airy pieces for the warmer days ahead.
After months of low-key sweatpants, I’m all in on high-key shorts for spring. Maisie Wilen’s vibrant, green leather statement shorties fit the part with flying colors.
I am most excited by a practical and easy summer straw tote—a trend we saw all over the spring runways. This Altuzarra market bag will pair perfectly with all the floral summer dresses I am yearning to wear!
The clingy-dress trend has my name all over it. I’ve previously waxed poetic about the unexpected return of body-con after we saw a rise in figure-hugging silhouettes last year. What I love about the resurgence is that the latest crop of stretchy dresses is being created with a sophisticated approach, thanks to ankle-grazing hemlines and long sleeves. My style philosophy is all about balance, and I’m a firm believer that you can proudly show off your shape without actually revealing everything.
I’m leaning into my favorite spring trend—both professionally and personally—of 2021, and that is flat shoes! I’m trying to break out of sticking to basics, though, and have some fun with colorful flats.
While the graphic and incredibly colorful pieces from the spring 2021 collections certainly spark joy, on a personal level there’s nothing more exciting than the chance to wear a great piece of outerwear (something I haven’t been able to do much of in the past year). The window for in-between jackets is short in New York, but I’ve been waiting patiently for an excuse to take this glossy brown button-front trench for a spin. I also look forward to trying out a pair of the season’s stompy platform sandals, which will be my approach to easing my way back into wearing a heel again.
This spring, I am excited to trade out my dark and monotonous winter sweaters for more exciting knitwear. I’m especially drawn to ribbed and colorful styles, like the below from Ciao Lucia and Calle Del Mar, which remind me of the spring season’s vibrant collections.
I’m still committed to shopping almost exclusively vintage for the year 2021, so my new purchases come with criteria. I recently picked up a version of Marc Jacobs’s triangle headscarf (shoppable now for spring but technically first shown at his fall 2020 show)—only mine came from an Etsy shop in Canada and was made of deadstock recycled textiles. It’s not quite a substitute for the beautiful cashmere-wool-silk blend by Jacobs, but it does the trick!
I’m ready to have a Hot Ghoul Summer 2021.
This spring I only want to wear things that spark joy, and I have my heart set on a pair of maximalist, instantly outfit-making sunglasses I can toss on for a leisurely walk. With their sheer tinted lenses and oversized rectangular shape, these pearl-embellished acetate sunnies by Møy Atelier are a ’70s fever dream.
For going boldly into spring, H&M Studio’s pirate hat is a must.
