Although some trends remain prominent from 2020, there are new ideas incorporated into outfits as people are attending more events and being more sociable following the lockdowns resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fall 2020 fashion consisted of a variety of neutral, soft, monochromatic looks that fit with the somewhat gloomy mood of 2020.
However, 2021 has diverse new trends and styles incorporated into day-to-day fashion, allowing fashionistas to bring their taste to style.
Cadence Barnett, freshman commercial music major, says one of the best ways to get new fashion ideas is to look online or see what other people are doing.
Barnett’s fall essential items consist of flannels, Dr. Martens and sweaters but she wants to explore her wardrobe more this year with bigger jackets like trench coats, cardigans and wider pants.
“A lot of times I use Pinterest or thrifting when finding my outfit,” Barnett said. “A lot of it is putting in the time. Sometimes I put 20 minutes into an outfit in the morning if I really want to style something. Just copying other people until you see what you really like might make you feel confident enough to put your own style together.”
A popular way for individuals to find hidden fashion gems for outfits is to visit local thrift stores or flea markets to find pre-owned items at a discounted price.
Not only does this introduce you to finding nice items for less, it also encourages the recycling of clothing and items, of clothing that ends up in landfills.
Sofia Paff, junior illustration major, adds sweaters, jeans and cool socks to her essential fall outfit list but wants to explore incorporating more earth tone colors into her daily fits.
“I noticed people are into a lot of earth tones and more of the thrifted look,” Paff said. “It also tends to be more sustainable clothing so I want to try to do that more.”
One trend that has not changed since last year is wearing masks, and now people are adding them as a part of their everyday outfits.
Arik Amodeo, multimedia artist, said that oftentimes in the fall he does not want to get ready in the morning and do his hair, making ski masks one of the most essential items he uses.
“Everyone is starting school, probably stressed,” Amodeo said. “You just got to rock stuff you don’t think about too much. Beanies, hoodies, ski masks, so you can just be mysterious and nobody is stressed about anyone’s identity.”
Masks can be used in a variety of ways depending on the color and design of the mask.
Color blocking and coordinating the mask according to the color of your outfit can tie the entire outfit together.
For example, if you have an orange ski mask, you can wear neutral tones like brown, or colors on the opposite side of the color wheel such as, blue or green.
Color blocking creates an effect by pairing colors together that are opposite on the color wheel, allowing them to complement each other.
Amodeo feels that incorporating a ski mask can enhance the way an outfit looks and also create comfortability to your wear.
“If I am not trying to rock a mask with a nice put-together fit, I am going to rock a ski mask so I do not have to keep moving it and it goes with the outfit,” Amodeo said.
There are several trends this year that many people are doing, but what has set this year apart from 2020 is that people are expressing themselves more through fashion and their outfits.
Although trends change every season, it is what fashion means to an individual that makes a statement.
As the COVID-19 lockdown has come to an end, people are using this opportunity to expand their wardrobe and add their style and twist to fashion.
Stepping away from the stay-at-home look from 2020, people are more excited now than ever to go out and socialize while looking good.
This excitement in fashion is allowing for more reusable, mask incorporated and self-identifying outfits.