20+ Fall Trends to Know in 2021: The Ultimate Guide

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you purchase through our links. Please read our full disclosure here.

This post will show you the hottest fall fashion trends for 2021.

The ultimate guide to fall 2021 fashion trends
Photo via Princess Polly

Welcome to our comprehensive guide to all the fall fashion trends you need to know about this season, filled with tons of budget-friendly options for achieving the hottest looks.

We’ve got you covered from head-to-toe with the trendiest hairstyles and nail designs, in addition to clothing and shoes that are going to make a total fashion statement.

There’s really no better season than the fall to update your wardrobe and try out some new looks, so read on for over 20+ of the best fall trends to start wearing right now!

Colors

Wondering what colors are trending this fall? These are the season’s hottest hues that you’ll want to add to your wardrobe, ASAP.

Emerald Green

Green is arguably the most in-demand color of the fall. And while emerald green is at the forefront of this trend, you really can’t go wrong with any shade of this hue when it comes to clothes and accessories.

Evergreen, army green, and forest green are all major color trends to look for this season.

Go bold with some green corded flared pants, or add a pop of this color to your outfits with a bright green shoulder bag.

Fuchsia

When you think of “fall colors,” you think of muted, earthy tones, right? Well, not this year!

This fall is bursting with bright jewel tones – especially fuchsia (see: Pantone‘s “Fuchsia Fedora” from NYFW’s A/W 2021-2022 color palette). Liven up your wardrobe this season with hot pink hues that will make you excited to get dressed, even on the dreary days.

Try wearing this color for a night out on the town in the form of a satin mini dress. The satin fabric will make this color look extra vibrant and have you totally stand out from the crowd.

Lilac

Like fuchsia, lilac is another fun, unexpected color trend this season. This springtime-favorite hue is now showing up in knitwear, outerwear, and even footwear.

Get in on the trend with a lilac-colored sweater; you can opt for an oversized fit, or a bodycon fit like this knit top with a flattering portrait neckline and bell sleeves.

Tops

Your top can make or break your ensemble, so be sure to snag one of these trendy options for your fall wardrobe.

Sweater Vests

It’s not just sweater season, it’s sweater vest season!

This sleeveless style is a top trend to rock this autumn, and comes in many different fits ranging from cropped to oversized. Go for a cable-knit design or a classic argyle print.

You can wear a sweater vest on its own, or layer it over another shirt for a preppy yet modern look.

Zip-Up Sweaters

With similar preppy vibes as a sweater vest, zip-up sweaters are making waves this autumn. Also known as quarter-zips, these sweaters feature zipper detailing which give them a style upgrade to stands out.

I especially love the way these sweaters look when styled with a coat or jacket and leaving the collar out, folded over the outerwear. It looks super chic, but ultimately is just a cozy basic.

Collared Tops

Collared or polo tops have had a major revival this season, and this classic style feels fresh again.

The key to nailing this fall fashion trend is choosing collared tops that feature luxe details like ruching down the front (as shown above), cute buttons, textured materials, etc. These details help to modernize the classic look in an eye-catching way.

Denim

One thing that never goes out of style? Denim. Here are the jeans trends stealing the spotlight this fall.

Straight-Leg Jeans

Put your skinny jeans aside: this season is all about straight-leg silhouettes.

’90s-inspired denim is in for fall 2021, which means jeans with straight fits and high rises. Straight-leg jeans are a closet staple that you’ll be able to dress up or down to your liking and get a ton of wear out of.

Workwear Jeans

These jeans don’t have an official name, but you’ll know them when you see them: loose fits, oversized pockets, and contrasting stitching are often involved, which is why they’re considered workwear-inspired.

For a cool, casual look this fall, wear them with platform sneakers and a cropped cardigan.

Bottoms

Of course, jeans aren’t the only bottoms to wear with your fall ‘fits; try these pants and skirt options, too.

Faux Leather Pants

Meet the faux leather pants that went viral on TikTok this year: Aritzia’s “Melina” pant. These vegan leather pants have become something of a social media fashion phenomenon, and for good reason: their high-rise, straight leg fit looks chic on literally everyone.

Available in over 20 different colors of vegan leather, these pants are a bit pricey but adored by influencers and fashionistas alike.

Of course, you don’t need this exact pair to get that cool-girl look; there are plenty of other more affordable options with similar fits available.

Wide Leg Trousers

In the past, trousers were generally reserved for the office, but not anymore! This season, wide-leg trousers are no longer just work-wear, but a stylish option for both daytime and nighttime wear.

Wear them casually with sneakers during the day, or dress them up with a heels and a crop top for a night out. Just be sure to opt for a pair of trousers with an updated fit, which includes a high rise and wide leg silhouette, in shades of khaki and gray.

Pleated Mini Skirts

Channel your inner Gossip Girl with this trend. The pleated mini skirt, a schoolgirl classic, is a now a hot fall fashion trend that doesn’t require a school uniform to wear out and about.

Pleated mini skirts look smart with chunky boots or loafers, but can be worn with sneakers for a more casual look, too. You can also pair them with colored or printed tights as the weather gets colder!

Jackets & Outerwear

As the temperatures start to drop, you’ll need to incorporate outerwear into your outfits. These are the trendiest fall jackets to help keep you warm and stylish.

Shackets

Shackets, or shirt jackets, came into the style spotlight last fall and are still trending this year. There are now more styles than ever to shop for, from classic plaid to faux sherpa shackets.

In particular, a plaid print shacket is a great way to incorporate some of the fall’s most fashionable colors, like this lilac plaid shacket. And TBH, plaid just feels right during the fall.

Oversized Blazers

Everyone needs a blazer in their wardrobe, and the more oversized, the better this season. Any style will do, whether you prefer plaid, pinstriped, or faux leather.

Consider playing with proportions by wearing an oversized blazer with a crop top (like in the photo above) or bodycon dress for a fashionable look.

Puffer Vests

Puffer vests have been around forever, but this season, they are as on-trend as they are functional.

A puffer vest is perfect for keeping you warm during the fall, when it’s not quite cold enough to put on a big coat. With your arms free, you’ll feel comfortable moving around, and can layer a vest over anything from dresses to sweatshirts for a stylish look.

Shoes & Boots

We can’t talk fall fashion without talking fall footwear! Boots are back in a big way, quite literally: the chunkier, the better.

Rubber Knee-High Boots

Have you noticed every influencer wearing lug sole rubber knee-high boots lately? My social media feed is filled with these chunky boots that have a rustic vibe.

Instead of sleek rain boots or wellies, opt for a pair with a chunky design and rugged, lug soles in hues like black, army green, and cream. Rain and mud will stand no chance against you when wearing these boots!

Cowboy Boots

Cowboy or western-style boots are a must-have footwear trend for the season. Whether you go for the knee-high version or ankle booties, these boots are going to add major flair to your fall looks.

Lug Sole Loafers

Lug soles have taken over all kinds of footwear this season, and lend an edgy vibe to even the most classic shoes, like loafers. This vintage-inspired style feels new again thanks to its fresh update, while still maintaining the academia aesthetic we love.

This autumn, try a modern pair of loafers with chunky, lug soles and details like metal chainlinks, patent leather, and platform heels.

You can wear these with anything from jeans to pleated skirts; they’re more versatile than ever.

Nails

Of course, your fall outfit is not complete without a cute fall mani! If you’re looking for manicure inspiration, these are the top fall nail trends to try out this season.

Colored French Tips

Forget the classic French manicure you knew – this year, it’s gotten a modern, colorful twist.

Replace the traditional white tips with colored tips instead. You can pick whatever color you like, though brown nail polish is a top trend this season and looks super chic.

You’ll get bonus style points for double French tips, with a contrasting color outlining the French tip like in the photo above.

Gradient Nails

If you’re looking for a nail trend that you can try out on your own without the help of a professional, try gradient or ombré nails. This involves painting each of your nails on one hand a different solid color going from dark to light shades.

You can get creative with this manicure; for example, you can pick one color scheme or go with totally different hues. You can also choose to paint the nails on both of your hands in the same variation, or go color crazy and paint all of your nails a different shade so that the gradient transfers from one hand to the other.

Personally, I love the idea of picking colors that have a similar vibe, like the shades of brown in the above photo, which have such a fall feeling.

Geometric Shapes

Nail art featuring geometric shapes is another must-try nail trend this season. Checkerboards, abstract lines, and even squiggles are all part of this look, so feel free to get creative with your designs!

This type of nail art works on both short and long nails, and you can mix and match nail polish colors in your designs, as well.

Hairstyles

Your hairstyle is just as much a part of your look as clothes and shoes are. Check out these fall hairstyle trends that will have you looking stylish from head-to-toe.

’70s Style Blowout

70's ✨ inspired ✨Hair Tutorial

’70s-inspired hair is back in action! Wispy side-swept bangs and round, bouncy layers highlight this haircut, but you can style your hair to achieve a similar look.

Give yourself a blowout with tons of volume and curl the ends of your hair in an outwards direction (either with a round brush, curling iron, or flat iron). It’s all about the iconic feathered look made famous by Farrah Fawcett in the 1970s.

Wolf Cut

Styling my hair / wolfcut / soft mullet ✂️ Laura Ribeiro

Part shag, part mullet, the “wolf cut” has taken social media by storm this season. This hairstyle involves lots of shaggy layers with a shorter length in the front, similar to a mullet.

It has a wild, edgy vibe that is a cool-girl favorite.

What do you think of our fall fashion trends guide? Which trend is your favorite? Leave a comment and let us know!