Your fail-safe FW21 shopping list is here

What do we want to wear now? This is a question designers routinely ask themselves when dreaming up their next-season collections, but that question has never felt more profound than it does for FW21. As we ease back into some semblance of normality and re-adapt our routines and social habits, what we wear while doing so has never felt more important – clothes need to feel considered but comfortable; to aid rather than hinder; empower rather than become a distraction. Our clothes need to help us express who we are now – the most confident version, whether on- or off-duty.

Cue, then, a season filled with garments that are both practical and polished – pieces that are grounded in the everyday but with after-dark sensibilities, should the mood or spontaneous situation strike. Here’s your cheat sheet for the best FW21 trends to invest in now and wear all season – and with this much wardrobe mileage in each, every day is sure to be a journey in style.

The enduringly chic leather jacket comes with added sartorial drama this season, courtesy of needle-moving London-based brands Alexander McQueen and Simone Rocha – their cropped biker styles will add an air of punk to any look. Of course, with offices opening up again, the blazer is also back – but it’s been subverted for FW21 and cast in butter-soft leather making it both rebellious and refined. Case in point, Givenchy’s(https://www.net-a-porter.com/shop/designer/givenchy "https://www.net-a-porter.com/shop/designer/givenchy") precision-tailored blazer, which, with its almost-invisible understated stitching, will only get better with age. For something sturdier that better resembles outerwear, Rejina Pyo and Ganni have you covered, with patent-style pieces that have enlarged proportions and statement buttons.

Winter doesn’t guarantee sunny days, but a sunny mood? That’s something you can dress for. Bright, Crayola colors reigned supreme this season, with designers opting for mood-boosting, joyful shades that telegraphed a fantasy feel appropriate for everyday life. From Molly Goddard’s frothy ruffled midi and Roksanda’s color-block dress that are perfect for parties, to Stella McCartney’s emerald-green button-up, there’s a color for every occasion. Isabel Marant’s classic crew-neck knit in magenta is the ideal shade for the color-shy, while La DoubleJ’s fluff-trimmed dress is perfect for statement-makers.

The black dress is a forever piece, and this season’s elongated styles offer maximum wearability, taking them from after-dark to daywear, depending on how you style them. From full-skirted designs by Gabriela Hearst and Alexander McQueen that are perfect paired with knee-high boots, to sleek, architectural shifts from The Row and Proenza Schouler that can be effortlessly layered with turtlenecks, these elegant dresses will endure, no matter the season.

The puffer jacket has been a fall/winter staple for the past couple of years, and its longevity shows no signs of waning in FW21. For a shift in the status quo, opt for a palate-cleansing pale hue that feels fresh and fun, from Givenchy’s padded overcoat and Bottega Veneta’s turtleneck jacket in ice-cream ecrus to Stella McCartney’s crisp white belted iteration that will feel suitably ski-slope even when you’re in the city. Meanwhile, Rick Owens’ midi-length puffer in a minty green is ideal paired with wintry neutrals, while traditionalists should look to Jil Sander’s practical hooded jacket that comes in a midnight navy – a polished alternative to classic black.

In fashion terms, 2020 was the year that anything went, and this season, designers have channeled that spontaneity of styling with pieces that are designed to be mixed and matched. Combine party pieces by Dries Van Noten with off-duty hoodies from Saint Laurent, or pair tailored sweats with crisp suiting from The Row – comfort remains key.