The sayings "everything comes back around" and "everything new is old" certainly apply to fashion. We doubt that there's any designer among us who doesn't extensively look through archives when working on a new collection, and those trends hit the runway and then trickle down to fast fashion. The point is that pretty much any "new" trend is at least an iteration of one we've seen before.
This phenomenon is something that most fashion lovers actually appreciate. Dressing like Brigitte Bardot or Bianca Jagger without looking like we're in costume is something we can get behind. If it feels like there are a lot of comeback trends at the moment, you're not wrong, and we're not exactly sure why this is. Every decade from the '60s to the early 2000s is cool again all at the same time, and it's leading to quite an eclectic mix of trends. Below, we highlighted seven, in particular, that are fully back and that we were ready for (even if they weren't "gone" for all that long).
Scroll to shop them for your 2021 wardrobe and beyond.
1. Low-Rise Jeans
If you're reading this with a groan, we apologise in advance. But there's no denying that the low-rise look is a mainstream thing again, likely thanks in part to Gen Z embracing all things early 2000s. Now that brands like & Other Stories and Everlane have gotten in on the trend, it's getting harder and harder to resist.
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2. Kelly Green
You may have thought that bubblegum pink was going to be the only colour trend that mattered this year, but nope. Kelly green has proven itself to be the one everyone wants. A pop of green is great, but the fashion crowd has been wearing multiple pieces in the colour at once for the highest possible impact.
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3. Western Boots
Western boots were a major trend just a few years ago, but some trends are just so good that they never stay gone for long. Consider a pair a great investment because even if they go "out" they'll be back again soon.
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4. Retro Prints
Retro floral prints were everywhere this spring and summer, but for autumn and winter, it's all about the geometric shapes and swirls. They'll transport you right back to 1968 in one fell swoop.
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5. Sheer Tights
Take a look at any photo of Princess Diana in the '80s and '90s, and you'll probably want to go out and buy a pair of sheer tights. There's something undeniably alluring about them, which probably explains why celebs such as Olivia Rodrigo and Kendall Jenner have recently gotten on board.
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6. Clogs
You've probably read our clog coverage here on Who What Wear by now (there's been a lot as of late), but clogs are perhaps the biggest shoe trend of 2021. Whether you opt for a utilitarian rubber pair or a wooden-sole pair, you'll look like you know what you're doing.
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7. Denim Jackets
Denim jackets are a classic wardrobe piece, but in recent years, they dropped off of the map a bit. Well, they're back, and if you want to look particularly fresh wearing one, we suggest a reworked one, an oversized one or a double-denim look.
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Next up, read our guide to the key trends for autumn/winter 2021.
