Who knows what fall ‘21 holds: We’ve been isolating at home for almost a year now, and with vaccines slowly rolling out, there’s a good chance that we might be out and about (aka, wearing things other than house slippers and scrunchies again) come autumn. Or… we also might not! The trickiest fall Fashion Month season to date is well underway, and designers seem to be hedging their bets as well, showing 2021 fashion accessories that toe the line between practical and fun.
Everyone’s favorite lazy shoe option, clogs, continued to get the status-shoe treatment, after making headlines for appearing at the Hermès’ Paris Fashion Week show in October. Knitwear designer Victor Glemaud released a take on the wood-soled, orthopedic style as part of the brand’s first footwear release, done in collaboration with Shekudo; Dr. Jill Biden’s and Kate Middleton’s go-to sustainable designer Gabriela Hearst, too, sent out a clog-like loafer at her NYFW show. Princess Diana-esque detachable statement collars, a popular 2020 fall trend, became more winter-proof thanks to the turtleneck accessories at PH5 and 3.1 Phillip Lim — a look that’s not only stylish but also perfect for the scarf-adverse.
Below, every fall 2021 accessory trend worth noting.
Status Clogs
Many would argue that clogs never went anywhere — and they would be right! (See: everyone in your neighborhood who’s currently wearing Birkenstocks). This season though, designers put a fashion-forward spin on the “mom shoe” by showing the style paired with elegant knitted matching sets and dresses.
Sandy LiangPhoto: Courtesy of Sandy Liang.
Huggable Bags
With hugs few and far between, designers have taken to creating outerwear in cloud-like fabrics. This extended to accessories in the form of furry, soft bags that beg to be stroked and held tight.
Claudia LiPhoto: Benn Jae.
Bucket Hats
Rihanna and Hailey Bieber’s favorite hat style is continuing to have a high-fashion moment. Reminiscent of the Kangol styles popular in the ‘80s and ’90s, the hat now also comes in a variety of prints and fuzzy textures.
R13Photo: Courtesy of R13.
Sleek Cowboy Boots
Classic cowboys boots in solid black and brown colors — as well as styles in bold prints and mixed materials — appeared at brands like Private Policy and Victor Li.
Victor LiPhoto: Courtesy of Victor Li.
Hands-Free Bags
While some designers (AKNVAS, The Row) continued to release enormous bags that almost require three arms to carry, others opted for hands-free styles, ranging from bag necklaces to hand muff-like clutches worn on the arm.
StaudPhoto: Courtesy of Staud.
Detachable Turtleneck
Last season was all about detachable ruffs and frilly collars. This fall took the trend to new heights, in the form of statement turtlenecks. While PH5 paired a pink collar, looking a little like a chic neck pillow, with a plaid cardigan for a can’t-miss look, 3.1 Phillip Lim threw a knit bolero-like accessory over a knit dress for a more subtle and coordinated take on the trend.
3.1 Phillip LimPhoto: Courtesy of 3.1 Phillip Lim.
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