These Are the Most Important Spring 2021 Trends, Period

While fashion month looked nothing like it has in years past, the industry as a whole rose to the occasion. Including a few socially-distant shows, tons of stunning lookbooks, and live digital experiences that felt lightyears beyond their time (Mugler, we're looking at you), some sacrifices were certainly made, but creativity was not one of them. With the natural lack of social media coverage and buzz of the S/S 21 shows, it's normal to feel completely lost in terms of what went down on the runway this season, but lucky for you, that's what we're here to fill you in on. 

We combed through all the collections to bring you a comprehensive guide to the most important spring trends of the season. This year will be flooded with covetable pieces that work into how we want to dress right now with some fresh twists. That includes everything from luxe house slippers meant to be worn just about everywhere, slouchy suiting to withstand a day of back-to-back Zoom calls, and reimagined sportswear that is destined to be your uniform this year. The best part? You don't need to do all the heavy lifting in order to shop our favorite spring trends. Keep scrolling to see the ones we can't stop talking about.

This updated take on strappy heels may just make your heart skip a beat. With cool details like toe loops and straps twisting across the foot, these are an entirely new take on floss heels. A standout style to remember? The three-toe loop sandals from Matthew M. Williams's debut collection at Givenchy that are destined to be next season's It shoes. Oh, and you'll definitely want to pair these with tights or socks like they were styled on the runways.

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Think back to your childhood when candy was a food group that frequented your diet and one of the most popular sweets amongst the rotation was Bubblicious Bubble Gum. I have no doubt that the nostalgic flavor instantly comes to mind, but it's the unforgettable hue I am here to discuss with you today. That very specific bright pink is a color that, believe it or not, proved to be one of the biggest color trends amongst the spring/summer collections. The hues varied from light to dark, but the overall tone rings true to that classic bubble gum we all used to chomp on as children. 

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There are miniskirts and then there are the barely there, microscopic minis that were everywhere in the S/S 21 collections. These remind us of the '90s styles that were famously snapped on the biggest supermodels of the decade for the 1995 Versace campaign. This time around, designers like Miu Miu and LaQuan Smith have brought them back in irresistible bold colors and prints that we can't stop thinking about.

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This new, rather risque trend is one that will quickly raise your heart rate and your style in seconds flat: built-in G-strings. No, there are not actual thongs hidden beneath these garments, but the design gives the illusion of otherwise. Designers sent out skirts, pants, and dresses that look as though your underwear has been pulled up from beneath your clothing to take center stage. Givenchy's shockingly low-back dress is one of our favorites amongst the bunch, but designers like Sandy Liang and Dion Lee offered up more approachable options for those of you who aren't quite ready to bare it all. 

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Season after season, we seem to be talking about the latest iteration of the choker or the statement earring, but now there's a fresh jewelry trend every fashion insider will want to wear for spring: long necklaces. From big, sculptural pendants at Jil Sander to suspended figurines at Bevza to layers of chains and pearls at Chanel, there were plenty of takes on the trend but one thing is clear: It's all about the draped-jewelry look.

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Sure, house shoes may have once been reserved for home, but according to designers, we'll actually be wearing them just about everywhere. From fuzzy slippers to braided leather slides to chunky platforms, plan on making these comfortable shoes a permanent part of your wardrobe. You can keep wearing them with all of your sweatpants, but also with flowy dresses and slouchy tailoring as we spotted at Molly Goddard and Balenciaga.

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Remember when track pants were one of the most talked-about and worn trends? Well, they are back along with a handful of other sporty pieces that dominated the runways. Some of the key players amongst this overall sports theme include bike shorts, sporty sunnies, hoodies, and the beloved tracksuit. Consider this trend a step in a new direction when it comes to your loungewear assortment since it's looking like leggings and pajamas are going to continue to be the norm for a little while longer.

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No, we're not talking about a subtle cutout or humble dip—backs are officially intended to be fully exposed this spring season, and to be honest, it’s one of the prettiest trends of the bunch. Important designers to note here include Givenchy's more formal crystal-adorned versions and Nanushka's more pared-back take on the revealing trend. Christopher John Rogers wowed us with brighter than ever stripes in a comfy ribbed knit material and Victoria Beckham proved breezy spring dresses don't have to be boring thanks to this new stunning detail. 

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Chances are that this year, the cadence at which you are stepping foot in an office has significantly decreased, if not halted completely. With that being said, suiting and tailoring as an overall category have majorly shifted away from structure and clean lines and towards more relaxed, casual silhouettes. Featuring extremely relaxed trousers, slouchy blazers, and untucked everything, designers from Louis Vuitton to Michael Kors have officially declared that the new era of suiting is here and it's nothing like we're used to.

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We couldn't ignore the second-skin tops that were a major layering trick on the runways. The skin-tight tops are heavy on tie-dye, tattoo prints, and reinvented logos and will have you rethinking your basic turtlenecks and tees. They were a notable trend in Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons's first collaborative collection for Prada, where holey turtlenecks were used as distinctive layering pieces underneath knits and wrap coats.

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Warning: This new handbag trend will prove to be a challenge for those of you who love carrying the contents of your entire life with you wherever you go. Shaped similarly to that of a paper filing folder, these paper-thin bags are what you're about to see everywhere come spring and summer. What exactly can you fit in this particular bag shape? That's to be determined, but one thing's for sure: These bags have a major It factor, and we can't wait to see all the iterations to come.

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Before you go, browse through our luxury report: A smart shopping guide on worth-it investments. 

This post was originally published on an earlier date and has since been updated.