
Wow, is it really time for another of these posts?? Welcome to the Spring edition of my biannual trends post meant to inspire your sewing projects for the upcoming season.
As things are a bit different this year, perhaps this will just be an entertaining post for you but if you’re still feeling keen to sew (I know I am to keep myself sane and creative) then hopefully you’ll leave feeling inspired.
I know that trends aren’t of interest to everyone, or maybe you just like to dabble here and there with some colour or an accessory. It’s all good and we’re all different. I personally just love to see the shapes and colours and fabrics. Something small might just spark an idea and I love it when that happens. Either way…let’s get exploring the trends!
PS: my friends in the Southern Hemisphere might like to browse this post for Autumn trends 🙂
Sewing Inspiration: Spring Trends 2021, Overview:
We can’t ignore the fact that this last year has been very difficult and strange as we navigate a pandemic and for the designers, it meant working away from their usual resources and studios during the lockdown. When it came to the time to show their work many did virtual shows online, videos or shows with very limited audiences.
But what did they show?
Well, without the usual hype surrounding them, some went back to thinking about craftsmanship and construction, others thought about comfort dressing and changing up the basics and then others decided to take the approach of going purely escapist and fun. It really was a mixed bag.
Pantone Colours From LFW:
I always like to include the Pantone colour ranges in these posts of mine. First up is London…
This is the quote from Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Colour Institute about the London colours :
“A range of floral hues reflective of gardens in springtime awakens our spirit, reinvigorating our interest in colours that inspire feelings of much-needed optimism. Colours that are flexible and can work year-round, colours that amalgamate our desire for comfort and relaxation with energy and determination,”
I’m liking the look of Beach Glass, Lava Falls, Sphagnum and Macchiato…
Pantone Colours From NYFW:
Next up the New York Panton colours…
A quote from Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Colour Institute:
About the New York colours: “Offering a range of shades illustrative of nature, colours for Spring/Summer 2021 underscores our desire for flexible colour that works year-round. Infused with a genuine authenticity that continues to be increasingly important, colours for Spring/Summer 2021 combine a level of comfort and relaxation with sparks of energy that encourage and uplift our moods,”
From this range I like Green Ash, Burnt Coral, Raspberry Sorbet and Buttercream…
The Gargantuan List Of Trends:
- Full tulle skirts
- Escapism, beach-inspired looks in bold prints
- Slinky black dresses
- All shades of pink
- Feel-good prints in bright bold colours
- Basics with a twist: in a bid to get us out of loungewear, these are simple, comfy, easy to wear silhouettes like a loose blazer, big shirts, easy bomber-style jackets, but all with interesting features.
- Loose-fit jeans
- Monochrome looks. Either all white, all black or a combination of the two.
- Simple layering
- Relaxed workwear shapes
- Netting and mesh
- Open back style dresses and tops.
- Huge puffed sleeves
- Second-skin tops either tucked in or as a layering piece
- Sheer fabrics
- Bralettes and bras on show
- Romantic floaty maxi dresses
- Wide trousers
- Cape-type designs on the shoulders of dresses and tops
- Corset shapes
- Stripes. Often vertical
- Colourful/printed coats
- Waistbelts of all types (do we still have a waistline after so much lockdown eating?? Lol!)
- Feather trims
Trending Accessories:
- Slipper shoes
- Market-style tote bags in a sort of loose macrame mesh.
- Straw bags
- Sandals with flatform-esque thick soles
- Lanyard-style bags for mobile phones
- Chunky, stompy shoes
- The face mask (of course…ugh). Embellished, fancy, etc.
- Hats, think large topper shapes, or so-wester-style bucket hats
- Minimal, simple medium-sized handbags
- Fancy, go-anywhere re-useable water bottles
- Decorative hair clips/slides
- Statement pendants
Runway Inspiration From The Designers
As per usual in these posts of mine, I’m adding some runway images from Vogue Runway to get those inspiration juices flowing. Enjoy!
**Click/tap on each designer’s name to be taken to the relevant page on Vogue Runway and to see the rest of the designs from each show**



Sewing Pattern Suggestions
I always like to pick out a few sewing patterns that emulate some of the trends. Some pattern companies don’t bring their new collections out for a while yet, but there are plenty around already to choose from, but keep your eyes peeled for new ranges arriving.
Here are a few to inspire you:
***Links to the patterns are underneath each image***
If made in denim, these Vikisews pants pick up on the loose fit jeans trend:
Statement sleeves from McCalls:
Wide-leg comfy pants from McCalls:
This Vogue dress is great for the big stripes trend:
Elevated basic bomber by BurdaStyle:
Mote statement sleeves in sheer fabric from BurdaStyle:
The open back trend as shown by Grasser:
A classic sheath but with unusual sleeves by Fibremood:

This top by Cool Stitches utilises the corset trend but on a basic long sleeved top. I love it!
And that brings me to the end of my post. Has it left you feeling inspired? I hope sew! 🙂 Tell me what colours, and styles take your fancy and let’s chat in comments.
Thanks for reading and I’ll see you soon.

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Love this post! It is refreshing piece of inspiration to read while sitting on the sofa wearing sweatshirt and sweatpants, and so for half a year. We have to keep sewing, and thinking about colors, textures, styles, simply not turn into cavepeople :/
On more serious note, I love statements sleeves this season! New McCalls collection is full of statement sleeves which is awesome! I love pink trend. And open back ideas. Two weeks ago was surfing the internet/pinterest for new wardrobe ideas, and after that was convinced to plan an open back dress! Although this idea was not even suggested by my preceding research. Glad to have “guessed” the trend 🙂
Which of these trends will you use, Diane?
Author
So glad you enjoyed my post Giedre! I’m determined not to turn into a cave person 😉
Which trends will I use?… Well, I love the idea of loose wide trouser and statement sleeves. I have some sheer silk so I could jump on that trend too. And I feel like I could create some kind of openwork textile design to trim something so that would incorporate the mesh trend too 🙂 Ooh, and I want to get the Cool Stitches PDF for that corset style top. I could do it without the high neckline to make it Spring appropriate.
Looking forward to seeing your open back detail dress!
I might try a bomber jacket and will be embracing Ultimate Grey (to match my new grey hair). Did you notice 9f cropped wide leg pants are still a thing?
Author
Love the sound of that bomber Vicki. Hmm cropped wide-leg pants…I didn’t see as many, to be honest, but I also don’t think that they are going to vanish straight away either. I still have three pairs that I’ll be wearing this next season, though I’m not quite as into them as I was.
Thanks Diane. No point in me making them if they are going. 😀
Thanks for doing this. It helps to look forward.
Author
Thank you, Karen! Yes, I think it does 🙂
Feeling UN-fashionable, Diane! I tend to have to adjust my eye to new looks, but catch on in one to 2 seasons (by Fall, hopefully…). The new jean silhouette is certainly more comfortable than the ultra-fitted lean silhouette that never is comfortable for me, unless I am standing/walking all day (ultra-fitted in crotch, hip, thigh is my least favorite). I will be sorry to lose the cropped wide leg style, as it is a great option in hot weather when shorts aren’t the right look: living or traveling in a humid climate, I love that style. Still want to make culottes ;-}
Author
It often takes me some time to get used to the idea of new silhouettes and trends. I remember resisting boyfriend jeans for ages but then I found a fit and shape (not quite so baggy) that I liked and I wore them. I personally don’t think a cropped wide-leg pant is going to disappear that fast and I still love my denim ones and my ivory jersey ones, so you have my blessing to enjoy yours 😉