Summer print trends are always pretty distinguishable—think daisies, bright tie-dye, rainbow stripes—but autumn print trends? They’re a little less predictable. Each cold-weather season sparks different print trends than the last, and autumn 2021 is no exception.
Sure, you can always expect some form of checks to make an appearance, and with the simple update of a colour palette, florals are considered a motif you can wear year-round. But as for any other print trends? Until we see the creations designers have in store for us on the runway and which ones fashion people end up gravitating towards, your guess is as good as ours.
Thankfully, we’ve done our research and can confirm that six overarching print trends are going to take off this autumn. It turns out checks feature heavily by way of tartan, which hasn’t been seen on this scale for a few seasons, while florals seem to have been inspired by your nan’s old curtains—in the chicest way possible. As for the other four? Well, there’s the animal motif that continues to dominate our wardrobes and a few other surprises thrown in for good fashion measure.
With influencers already wearing autumn print trends before anyone else, scroll on to see them for yourself. Then, shop our edit of the best pieces for each motif.
Style Notes: For those who want to embrace bold, clashing prints but find it difficult styling them themselves, enter scarf print. With loud hues and a potent pattern blend, this premium-looking print will elevate your autumn wardrobe. Wear it in dress form with white boots like Monikh did, or style silky trousers with a cashmere sweater.
Style Notes: Leopard print will always be on the style agenda, but this autumn, it’s set to be bigger than ever before. New-in sections are already being flooded with the prin,t and with its largely neutral colourway, it always makes for a wise investment—one you’ll wear season after season, year after year.
Style Notes: We all know that florals summer are intrinsically linked, with bright colours reigning supreme. But come autumn, you never quite know how they’ll be rendered. For autumn 2021, antique-style, chintzy florals are the bloom of note. Less cottagecore, more lady of the manor, think motifs reminiscent of fine embroidery and the Laura Ashley archives.
Style Notes: What makes the tartan check trend so fun, and so apt for autumn 2021, is its bright weaves. While other seasons have revolved around muted grey Prince of Wales checks, this season is all about making a statement—and what could be more striking than a pair of zesty tartan trews or a traditional postbox-red tartan coat.
Style Notes: The last year has seen the return of several ’70s fashion staples—the vest, flares, squared-off acetate sunglasses—and autumn’s print agenda is following suit. Somewhat similar to scarf prints, paisley motifs are generally smaller, more repetitive and widely feature the trademark teardrop. Wear it all over for maximum retro impact, or tuck a blouse into this year’s trending wide-leg denim for a modern take.
Style Notes: After a few years of sitting on the sidelines, polka dots are set to become the print trend of autumn 2021. Sitting alongside the traditional monochromatic colorways are pieces with pops of colour, which present a new way to wear the classic print.
Next Up, Autumn 2021 Trends: The Only Fashion Looks You Need to Know
