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Autumn Winter 2021 – 2022: The Key Trends You Need to Know

This fall, more is more.

It’s safe to say we’re now well into autumn winter and the whole host of new trends that arrived with it.

After 18 months of hiding in isolation, fashion is back on the agenda. If last winter was about loungewear, this season is about the exact opposite.

READ MORE: 15 Key Trends For Spring Summer 2022 You Need to Know About

Autumn winter 2021-22 has some of the boldest trends we’ve seen in a long time. Usually characterised by dark hues, heavy fabrics and casual attire, this season is gearing us up to embrace extravagance from head to toe.

Halpern London Fashion Week AW21
Halpern AW21

Of course there will always be a place in our hearts for practical, casual and comfortable fashion (Cosy PJs and comfy slippers, we’re looking at you), but now we’re embracing our ability to go out, see our friends and dress up, which was clear at the AW21 shows.

Elsa Schiaparelli got it exactly right when she famously said, “In difficult times, fashion is always outrageous.”

Crayola brights, faux fur everything, micro minis, in-your-face logos and extravagant party looks are just some of the key trends for the season that you’re about to get well acquainted with.

Here are the trends you’re by now seeing everywhere, and where to buy the look on the high street. Plus, the key pieces Fashion Editor Lynne McKenna has chosen for AW21-22.

READ MORE: New Arrivals: 11 Must-See Pieces That Have Just Landed

Cut Outs

Temperley London cut out dress for autumn winter 2021
Courtesy of Temperley
Sonia Carrasco fall winter 2021
Courtesy of Sonia Carrasco

Blink and you might miss them. While the chill may mean we’re usually forced to cover up in winter, there’s no reason why we can’t show a glimpse of skin.

It’s made much easier by the cut-out trend, which is a continuation of one of summer’s most-loved looks. This time around, blazers, skirts, tops and dresses have been sliced, showing shoulders, waists and decolletages.

Spotted at Sonia Carrasco, Givenchy, David Koma, Temperley, Halpern, Off-White and Emilia Wickstead.

READ MORE: We’ve Fallen For Cut Out Dresses – Here’s Our Edit of the Best on the High Street

David Koma cut out dress aw21 trends
Courtesy of David Koma
Cut-out dress - Dark brown/Glittery - Ladies | H&M GB

Cut-out Dress, £12.99, H&M – buy now

Self-Portrait Women's Cut Out Midi Dress - Light Blue

Women’s Cut Out Midi Dress, £340, Self-Portrait – buy now

ORANGE CHOKER NECK CUT OUT TOP

Orange Choker Neck Cut Out Top, now £15, River Island – buy now

Aprés-Ski

Miu Miu AW21 apres ski
Courtesy of Miu Miu
Molly Goddard aw21
Courtesy of Molly Goddard

Who says knitwear needs to be plain?

Fair Isle knits covered the catwalks at Molly Goddard, Chanel, Etro, Paco Rabanne, Balenciaga and Miu Miu, the latter actually staging its show at a ski resort in Italy.

The trend could be a nod to the nation craving adventure and escaping to the country during and since the pandemic, but even if you haven’t, these knits will get you in the mood for the slopes.

Spotted at Etro, Miu Miu, Emilio Pucci, Paco Rabanne, Molly Goddard, Junya Watanabe, MM6, Balenciaga, Dsquared2, Rentrayage, Chanel, and Vivienne Westwood.

Etro Fall 2021
Courtesy of Etro

Barbour Women's Driftwood Knitted Jumper

Driftwood Knitted Jumper, £89.95, Barbour – buy now

Isabel Marant Étoile Women's Marikla Coat - Celadon

Étoile Women’s Marikla Coat, £495, Isabel Marant – buy now

Print Knit Cotton Sweater Mango

Print Knit Cotton Sweater, now £15.99, Mango – buy now

Bold Brights

Prada AW21  green catwalk look
Courtesy of Prada
Rodarte aw21
Courtesy of Rodarte

Every year dark hues dominate for Autumn Winter but crayola brights stole the AW21 shows, with neon featuring heavily at Balmain, Roksanda, Prada, Versace and Bottega Veneta.

After 18 months of loungewear, expect to see colour covering everything, from head-to-toe.

Spotted at Balmain, Roksanda, Prada, Versace, Molly Goddard, Bottega Veneta, Ferragamo, Raf Simons, Loewe, JW Anderson, Chanel and Burberry.

Versace AW21 pink catwalk look
Courtesy of Versace
Molly goddard aw21
Molly Goddard

ASOS DESIGN Curve Edit stretch midi shirt dress, £45 – buy now (up to size 30)





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Description

Kurt Geiger London Women's Recycled Multi Cross Body - Orange

Cross Body Bag, £129, Kurt Geiger at The Hut – buy now

ROTATE Birger Christensen Women's Noon Dress - Irish

Noon Dress, £290, ROTATE Birger Christensen at Coggles – buy now

Shades of Brown

Acne studios aw21
Courtesy of Acne Studios

Chocolate brown might often skip your imagination when it comes to fashion, but it was good enough to eat on the AW21 runway.

At Chloé, brown came in an abundance of textures and teamed together for a comfy, cosy look, while Acne mixed textures with leather and knitted details.

If you’re not into Crayola brights, this could be the trend for you this season.

Spotted at Acne, Chloé, Chanel, Fendi, Ami, Schiaparelli, Gestuz, Rabens Saloner and Holzweiler.

Chloe aw21
Courtesy of Chloé
Image 2 of The Attico single-breasted blazer

The Attico Single-breasted Blazer, £938, The Attico at Farfetch – buy now

Open Back Puff Sleeve Midi Dress, £95, & Other Stories

Open Back Puff Sleeve Midi Dress, £95, & Other Stories – buy now

Long-sleeve t-shirt with ruffles - Mango

Long-Sleeve T-shirt With Ruffles, £19.99, Mango – buy now

Logos

Versace aw21 logo catwalk look
Courtesy of Versace

Logos and monograms have been growing in popularity in recent years, with Fendi and Gucci being just some of the labels to champion the retro look.

Now, Versace, Balmain, Loewe and Max Mara are celebrating the look with their AW21 collections, bringing back the 70s-inspired trend in an array of head-to-toe monogrammed looks in muted and monochrome tones.

This look doesn’t need to break the bank. While luxury labels have championed the look for decades, the high street has plenty of monogrammed pieces up for grabs.

Spotted at Versace, Balmain, Loewe, Max Mara, Fendi, Chanel and Gucci.

Balmain aw21 logo catwalk look
Courtesy of Balmain
Fendi aw21 logo catwalk look
Courtesy of Fendi
See by Chloé Women's Satin Logo Tote Bag - Ink Navy

Satin Logo Tote Bag, £195, See by Chloé – buy now

Dior Oblique Diortwin Square Scarf

Oblique Diortwin Square Scarf, £360, Dior – buy now

Coach Soft Tabby Shoulder Bag in Signature Jacquard B4/Stone Ivory New Women's New Arrivals Bags

Soft Tabby Shoulder Bag, £425, Coach – buy now

READ MORE: 5 Jewellery Trends for Autumn Winter 2021, According to an Expert

More is More

Stella McCartney

Party fashion comes back around every winter, but this year, prepare for all out extravagance.

Sequins, embellishment, glitter and silky fabrics are back with a bang, while silhouettes are exaggerated and too much is never enough.

Spotted at Stella McCartney, Halpern, Ashish, Burberry, Loewe, Erdem, Dries Van Noten, Versace, Valentino and Louis Vuitton.

halpern aw21
Halpern
Edie Party Dress Alexa Chung

Edie Party Dress, £195, Alexa Chung – buy now

ASOS EDITION feather & sequin mini dress with low back in charcoal | ASOS

Feather & Sequin Mini Dress £120, ASOS EDITION – buy now

Ponchos and Capes

Alberta Feretti AW21 catwalk look
Courtesy of Alberta Feretti

I’ve been waiting for ponchos and capes to take off after years of the trend being teased on the runway.

This year, designers including Prada, Chloé, Burberry, JW Anderson and many more showed iterations of the outerwear piece in their shows, making a clear case for their return.

Spotted at Prada, Alberta Feretti, JW Anderson, Burberry and Chloé.

prada aw21 poncho
Courtesy of Prada
Chloé AW21
Courtesy of Chloé
Quilted Recycled Polyester Oversized Cape, Polyester, in colour Dark Green - 1 - GANNI

Recycled Polyester Oversized Cape, now £300, GANNI – buy now

Slouchy Denim

Alberta Feretti AW21 catwalk look
Courtesy of Alberta Feretti

As we all now know, skinny jeans are out. Of course, trends never disappear for long, but that’s what fashion (and Gen Z) has decided since the start of the pandemic.

Instead, slouchy denim is taking over, with Celine, Chanel, Peter Petrov, Ganni and many more amongst the designers celebrating the re-emergence of Y2K style.

Spotted at Celine, Chanel, Peter Petrov, Ganni, Rag & Bone, Peter Do and Petar Petrov.

Chanel AW21
Courtesy of Chanel
Peter Petrov AW21
Courtesy of Peter Petrov
Blue Baggy Jeans NA-KD

Blue Baggy Jeans, £109.95, Calvin Klein at NA-KD – buy now

READ MORE: I Can Never Find Lingerie I Like, But I’m 100% Sold on These Beautiful Sets

Faux Fur Everything

Fendi aw21 faux fur coat catwalk look
Courtesy of Fendi

Faux fur never strays far from the runway during Autumn Winter, but this time, it’s not just coats adorned with fur.

In 2021, as well as chic outerwear from Fendi, Givenchy, Prada and more, furry boots, hats and scarves appeared at Chanel, Burberry and Stand Studio, among others.

For those who prefer to keep it understated, adding a touch of faux fur in the form of accessories this autumn will make the perfect style statement and keep you cosy too.

Spotted at Fendi, Givenchy, Prada, Chanel, Burberry, Petar Petrov, Peter Do, Acne Studios and Stand.

Stand Studio leopard-print coat AW21
Courtesy of Stand Studio
Givenchy AW21 fur
Courtesy of Givenchy
Katie Long Faux Fur Coat Green Checkerboard

Katie Long Faux Fur Coat Green Checkerboard, £279, Jakke LDN – buy now

Lorca crochet-collar faux-fur coat Shrimps

Lorca Crochet-Collar Faux-Fur Coat, now £422, Shrimps – buy now

READ MORE: This Key Detail is On Every Pair of Boots This Winter

Statement Tights

Prabal Gurung AW21
Courtesy of Prabal Gurung

If you were as in love with Gucci’s monogrammed tights last year, you’ll love the fact that printed tights are making their comeback for AW21.

Prabal Gurung, Vivienne Westwood, Prada and Maisie Wilen followed the more is more mentality, with the former matching their polka dot statement tights to their dresses.

Spotted at Prabal Gurung, Vivienne Westwood, Prada, Gucci, Fendi and Maisie Wilen.

Vivienne Westwood AW21
Courtesy of Vivienne Westwood
Maisie Wilen AW21
Courtesy of Maisie Wilen
Eva All-Over Logo Tights

Eva All-Over Logo Tights, now £6.50, Calzedonia – buy now

READ MORE: How to Wear Printed Tights

Go Green

Ganni AW21 womenswear
Courtesy of Ganni

After being one of the key colours for SS21, green continues to dominate in AW21. In fact, ‘Green Bee,’ a ‘grassy green that perpetuates nature’ was one of Pantone’s colours for London Fashion Week AW21.

Ganni, Kenzo, Salvatore Ferragamo, Stella McCartney and more embraced the colour in a variety of tones, ranging from the deep and earthy, to pastel green and neons.

Spotted at Ganni, Kenzo, Salvatore Ferragamo, Stella McCartney, Elleme, JW Anderson, Baum und Pferdgarten and Rotate.

Salvatore Ferragamo AW21 catwalk look
Courtesy of Salvatore Ferragamo
Kenzo AW21 catwalk look
Courtesy of Kenzo
Green Ripstop Wrap Midi Dress, Ecovero Viscose, in colour Kelly Green - 1 - GANNI

Green Ripstop Wrap Midi Dress, now £157, Ganni – buy now

Green LEATHER BUCKET HANDBAG from Zara

Leather Bucket Handbag, now £49.99, Zara – buy now

Quilted Textures

Stand Studio AW21
Courtesy of Stand Studio

Puffer jackets are bigger, bolder and more exaggerated than ever before. Prada, Givenchy, Marni, Balenciaga, Chanel and Louis Vuitton blew up their padded pieces and they came in every shape and form, from cropped jackets to ponchos and longline coats.

Spotted at Stand, Givenchy, Marni, Isabel Marant, Raf Simons, Remain, Khaite and Jason Wu.

Givenchy AW21 quilted puffer coat
Courtesy of Givenchy
Marni AW21
Courtesy of Marni

READ MORE: If You Like Quilted Jackets, You’ll Love This Key Outerwear Trend for Autumn

Oversized jacket - Beige - Ladies | H&M GB 2

Quilted Jacket, £27.99, H&M – buy now

Mini Mania

Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana

Another trend continuing its journey from spring summer 2021 are micro minis. Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Lanvin and Fendi displayed an array of mini skirts amongst them.

Spotted at Valentino, Chanel, Self-Portrait, Lanvin, Versace, Schiaparelli, D&G, Fendi and Tom Ford.

Courtesy of Lanvin
Courtesy of Valentino
Quilted Mini Skirt & Other Stories

Quilted Mini Skirt, £65, & Other Stories – buy now

High-waisted checked stretch-woven mini skirt

High-Waisted Checked Stretch-Woven Mini Skirt, £200, Self Portrait at Selfridges – buy now

Neutral Knits

Courtesy of Ami

Knitwear can hardly be seen as a trend for AW21 as it features heavily every single year, but what made this season different is the colour palette.

Designers including Chloé, Ports 1961, Fendi were amongst the designers who embraced neutral tones in caramels, outmeals, creams and browns, with layering playing a key part.

Chunky scarves were thrown over jumpers worn over knitted skirts at Ports 1961, co-ords were seen at Altuzarra and Proenza Schouler and knitted details featured in Chloé in the form of fringing.

Spotted at Ami, Chloé, Ports 1961, Fendi, Proenza Schouler and Ports 1961.

Courtesy of Ports 1961
Fendi AW21 trends
Courtesy of Fendi
Bra-effect knitted sweater Mango

Bra-effect knitted sweater, £29.99, Mango – buy now

White half zip knit sweater Monki

White half zip knit sweater, £35, Monki – buy now

Chunky Shoes

3.1 Philip Lim
Courtesy 3.1 Phillip Lim

There’s a place for platforms and sky-high heels, but this season it’s time to embrace the chunky shoe.

Whether it’s Prada-style loafers or lug sole boots, pretty much all footwear this season is heavy-duty.

As seen at Dior, Loewe, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Prada, Gucci and more.

READ MORE: All of the Biggest Shoe Trends for Autumn Winter 2021, According to an Expert

Platform Chelsea Boots H&M

Platform Chelsea Boots, £34.99, H&M – buy now

Chunky Leather Penny Loafers & Other Stories

Chunky Leather Penny Loafers, £110, & Other Stories – buy now

Top 10 Key Pieces For AW21

Fashion Editor Lynne McKenna has translated the trends into 5 of the most wearable pieces of the season.

If you’re struggling with how to make AW21’s biggest looks work for you, this list will be your new best friend.

Jumbo Jeans

Team wide-leg denim with chunky heels and tailored blazers for a smart way to wear this trend, or keep it casual in box fresh trainers, a retro T-shirt and denim jacket.

Keep in mind proportions and opt for a high-rise styles that will elongate the body to create some balance. 

High Loose Jeans Levi

High Loose Jeans, now £60, Levi [Sustainable] – Buy Now

Organic cotton jeans - blue - 1477C-50J - RESERVED - 1

Organic Cotton Jeans, now £9.99, Reserved [Eco Aware] – Buy Now

Mini Skirt

This itsy-bitsy item adds a whole lotta sass and a great excuse to show off our new love affair with tights, another key trend.

Team with slouchy cardies or chunky jumpers in the day, or a skin tight polo neck, over the top jewellery and knee high boots for the evening. 

A-line skirt H&M

A-line Skirt, £19.99, H&M – buy now

Jumper Dress

The jumper dress is the chicest way to stay comfy and stylish all at the same time this season.

Block heel boots and an oversized belt add a girl about town vibe, while biker boots and jacket make it the perfect weekend go-to.

Wool knit V neck dress, £89.95, Massimo Dutti

Wool knit V-neck dress, now £39.95, Massimo Dutti – buy now

Sweater Vest

The sweater vest is the perfect piece to see you through the season.

Wear with bare arms during the sunnier days of the season, layer over a crisp white shirt for the office and add a polo neck when the colder months hit.

Orange and ivory psychedelic intarsia sweater vest Glassworks

Orange and ivory psychedelic intarsia sweater vest, £65, Glassworks – buy now

Cable Knit Vest

Cable Knit Vest, £155, Rixo – buy now

Puffer

This giant hug of a coat doesn’t have to be dowdy. Once relegated to hikers and your nan, thanks to lockdown and socially distance walks, it has become part of our lives.

Team bright coloured puffers with super cute prints as seen at Dsquared, play around with proportions like Louis Vuitton or rock it Celine-style in a biker version. There’s a cosy cool coat out there for every style.

white Cropped Puffer Jacket Monki

Cropped puffer jacket, £50, Monki – buy now

High-collared puffer jacket Pull & Bear

High-collared puffer jacket, £29.99, Pull & Bear – buy now

Sheer Dress

We’ve been covered up in our comfies for far too long, but baring all is an art form and the sheer dress is a great way to embrace coming out of the restraints of lockdown in a stylish and sophisticated way.

Valentino styled it right with a mix of lace and draping, while Versace kept it classic with a belted bodice surrounded by billowing sleeves and flowing skirt.

Joanne Printed Mesh Dress Weekday

Joanne Printed Mesh Dress, £39, Weekday – buy now