The Coolest Trends of 2021, as Told by Stylish East Coast Fashion Students

In the fashion industry, there’s a variety of jobs—from publicists and writers to designers and directors. Something most of them start out as, though? Students. Now, while every person in fashion may not start in fashion school, it can be considered the cleared pipeline into the industry. And while we see the work of the current industry professionals on display every day, I think it’s important to get the opinion of the next generation of the fashion world, especially since Generation Z is poised to bring more change into the industry in terms of style and inclusion. While scrolling through social media, seeing fashion students' content can be a breath of fresh air, with their hot takes on different designers’ collections and styling trends I wish had the confidence to wear when I was running late to an 8 a.m. lecture. 

I reached out to stylish East Coast fashion students to get their further insight on fashion, from what they hope to bring to the table after graduation to what trends they’re loving at the moment. Before you scoff at the opinion of the youth, their answers below will show you why you need to take the next generation seriously. 

Trends she’s loving:

“I’ve been loving jeans and dresses featuring the G-string detail and miniskirts! I think these are all things that are a resurgence of the Y2K era that we all know and either love or hate. The Y2k fashion era has already made an appearance in the past year or so, but I feel like this time, pieces are more elevated, a little more elegant, and easier to wear.”

Favorites from fashion month:

“I’m a really big fan of designers finding simple ways to completely change or elevate a basic piece or silhouette, as those are the most practical and ready to wear in my opinion. One of my favorite collections for spring 2021 is by YSL because of the modern twists on retro looks such as the Black sheer '60s babydoll dress with marabou feathers. Another example is Jonathan Simkhai’s Fall 2021 collection featuring basic knits but also minimal sexy cutouts and gold hardware embellishments, which are the perfect amount of zhoosh.”

Trends she’s loving:

“Bold suit sets! Whether through color or pattern, they were all over S/S 21 runways (Brandon Maxwell, Bottega Veneta, and Proenza Schouler were my personal favorites!). I can easily see them becoming a spring staple not only because of their versatility in terms of dressing them up or down but because of their versatility as individual pieces as well.

“Romantic Silhouettes, specifically puffy sleeves, and pleated detailing! Though always prevalent, these romantic, exaggerated silhouettes have been a hit for trending brands like Selkie. I love how feminine and classic these silhouettes are, and I think as we slowly (hopefully) near the end of some pretty difficult times, people will be more willing than ever to wear something a bit more extravagant and out of their comfort zone.”

Favorites from fashion month:

“In terms of creativity, Matty Bovan absolutely blew my mind, Look 27 will live in my head rent-free for years to come. It had a beautifully planned mix-media feel that was extremely inspiring as a fashion design student. Another favorite—often a recurring one—was Vivienne Westwood. The way she continuously executes her vision cohesively through pattern mixing and punk silhouettes is so, so visually pleasing and again, extremely inspiring and motivating as a design student.”

On being a fashion student:

“Growing up and as a current fashion business student, I’ve always been fascinated by how fashion was able to transform people. My confidence and personality as a young Muslim-American hijab-wearer was definitely molded by trends and I loved how I could represent different versions of myself. The fashion industry excites me because it's rooted in art, innovation, and inclusivity. I love a brand that can tell a story with its collections and I love how these stories reflect the changes happening in culture, politics, and how we perceive history. 

“Upon graduation, I would like to pursue a career in digital fashion. I want to bring my innovative ideas and create experiences for customers that meet them where they are in life. I also want to bring my unique perspective on the role the fashion industry has to play in a customer’s relationship with their environment. But overall, I want the behind-the-scenes to reflect the same inclusive perspectives fashion brands try to champion on runways and magazine covers.”

Trends she’s loving:

”Corsets. I love layering a corset on a simple tee or jacket to elevate a look to reflect femininity and strength. Corsets provide a structure and newness to any outfit and I’m all for the traditional use of corsets, where the restriction is thrown out of the current narrative.“

Favorites from fashion month:

“I love that Staud showcased a colorful and playful collection that was equal parts childhood nostalgia and practicality. The tic-tac-toe prints on handbags and intarsia knits were perfect statement pieces and the monochromatic leather ensembles offered a refreshing way to layer.”

Trends she’s loving:

“Whimsical and funky prints. Fashion can oftentimes be so simple and basic in terms of patterns. Of course, staple patterns are great to have long-term in your closet, but it is so fun to add more funky prints to add dimension and creativity into your wardrobe. These whimsical patterns also provide a great contrast to the current sad and dull season of life we are in right now!”

Favorites from fashion month:

“Due to the pandemic, this fashion week has been so much different and provided a huge shift in what we normally consider to be fashion week. House of Sunny presented its A/W 21 Collection titled ‘Ride a White Swan.’ This event was held virtually through an Instagram live visual presentation. This collection consisted of fun and nostalgic prints truly adding a whole new funky aspect to what we can expect for the upcoming season.”

Next: Pinterest Is the Fashion Destination for Generation Z—Here’s Why