All the "Going Out" Trends You Should Brace Yourselves For

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Sandy Liang; Courtesy of Supriya Lele; Courtesy of David Koma)

"Optimism is mounting,” Miuccia Prada said after the brand’s F/W 21 show—a sentiment that was echoed throughout the fall collections. With talks of a reopening world and the possibilities of where we’ll be headed and what we’ll be wearing when fall arrives, designers are taking a cheerful (and fun!) look at the direction for fall 2021 fashion.

Over the last year, fashion has largely revolved around comfort. Loungewear, slouchy pants, house shoes, and pillow boots are just a fraction of the cozy trends that gained popularity as our shifting world has changed what we’re wearing from day to day. While we’re still seeing plenty of "luxe comfort” items on the horizon, you simply can’t ignore the party fashion pieces that were everywhere on the F/W 21 runways from New York to Paris.

Designers are putting micro minidresses into focus, revenge heels are on the rise, and we’re seeing the return of the "going out” top. Just staring at the runway looks is enough to make me envision what I’ll be wearing in the future, and if it’s not super short, shiny, or nightclub-worthy, I don’t want it. Ahead, let’s dive into every cool party fashion trend to know about. All of these pieces are guaranteed to be the life of the party, and I can’t wait for a chance to slip into all of them.

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Versace; Courtesy of Miu Miu; Courtesy of Lanvin)

In my opinion, micro minidresses should always be a "going out" wardrobe staple. Throw one on with a pair of revenge heels or tall boots for a look that feels like it's been plucked from the runway. Bonus points if it's adorned with cool crystal embellishments.

Shop micro minidresses:

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Chanel; Courtesy of Blumarine; Courtesy of Versace)

The aughts are back, everyone. Nostalgia has hit an all-time high, marking the return of some of the most iconic pieces from the 2000s. You can bet that the low-slung pants, "going out" tops, and bold prints spotted on the F/W 21 runways including Versace, Blumarine, and Chanel will be worn by celebs like Bella Hadid and Dua Lipa in no time.

Shop the trend:

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(Image credit: Courtesy of The Attico; Courtesy of Versace; Courtesy of Area)

Revenge heels are on the rise among the fashion set right now, and designers agree that sky-high shoes are ready for a comeback. The anti-flat shoes are finished with sculptural heels, platforms, and crystal details. Oh, and the taller the better.

Shop the trend:

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(Image credit: Coutesy of The Attico; Courtesy of LaQuan Smith; Courtesy of Balmain)

From The Attico's holographic sequin minidresses to LaQuan Smith's glossy liquid vinyl pants, lots of shimmery, shiny things are coming our way. The eye-catching pieces are a complete departure from the streamlined basics that have dominated the last several seasons.

Shop the trend:

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Coperni; Courtesy of Khaite; Courtesy of Blumarine)

Knee-high and over-the-knee boots aren't exactly a new shoe shape, but the way we're seeing them styled feels much different than in past seasons. This time around, you can leave the jeans or trousers behind because they're meant to be paired with your favorite party dress.

Shop the trend:

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Sandy Liang; Courtesy of Supriya Lele; Courtesy of David Koma)

Cutouts are the trend that only seems to be gaining momentum. The "going out" top had a resurgence at Supriya Lele, this time around in a cool cutout version. David Koma and Sandy Liang, for their part, offered up new interpretations of the cutout dress.

Shop the trend:

Next: Read about the five trends from Paris that are about to be everywhere.

Associate Director, Special Projects

Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.