From Crystals to Cutouts: 6 Epic Going-Out Trends You Need to Know About

Summer may be cooling off in the near future, but our social calendars? They're only getting hotter. With the return of parties, events, and, ahem, legitimate reasons to get off the couch and out of our sweats, our going-out wardrobes have started to get more use in the last few months than they had for an entire year. As far as I'm concerned, I don't see that subsiding anytime soon. In fact, with a new season comes not only a new slate of invites but also a fresh array of party attire to accompany your RSVP.

That's right—the time has come to discuss the going-out trends we'll be seeing a lot of this fall. While comfier staples like knits will still be prevalent, there's no denying that, across the runways and Instagram, fashion is taking a more luxe and, at times, risqué turn. Based on my trend research into what fashion people are wearing now and what's bubbling in the market, I've come to the conclusion that the six party fashion trends ahead will rule the next season. From the craziest cutouts you've seen yet to the shoe trend to keep on your radar, keep reading to see and shop them all.

Remember that Carrie Bradshaw dress, the gray bodycon number that was so simple it was almost not even memorable? Well, it lives rent-free in my head as one of her best and most underrated looks, so when I spotted similar styles bubbling up again, I immediately took note. Simple jersey fabrics with a bit of ruching are popping up as minidresses like Bradshaw's as well as skirts, tops, and other '90s dress silhouettes. While it's fit for the daytime, I think a going-out look featuring these minimalistic details is stunning and timeless.

Pink heels may not be for everyone, but I'm excited to see a return to over-the-top party looks, and that definitely includes a trend I'm calling "Barbie heels." They're fun, they're outfit making, and they pretty much guarantee a good time. What's not to love?

It seems like crystals and rhinestones are never not trending, but this fall, they're a key element to any good "revenge" look. I'm drooling over the crystal bow–adorned heels from Mach & Mach and the blinged-out satin pieces from Nué, two brands I credit with making crystal embellishments look impossibly elevated.

And the cutouts don't stop comin'. The latest installment of the cutout agenda comes in its most daring iteration yet: pelvic cutouts. Bella Hadid and Kim Kardashian are the two celebs testing out the bold exposed-hip looks, as we've recently reported, but this new wave of cutouts is also gaining steam on the 'gram, and who am I to ignore it?

Just when I thought I'd seen all the risqué trends in the world, the fashion crowd went and dropped an even more polarizing one on us. Coined "pin tops" by Refinery29, they're exactly as the name suggests: open-front tops, usually crafted in knit or satin, that are held together by a single button, a logo-adorned clip à la Jacquemus, or—in the case of this Danielle Guizio sweater—actual safety pins. Hadid is already a fan, so you know it's only a matter of time until we see everyone else follow suit.

As far as micro-trends go, most of them are far too trendy and tied to one particular moment to really stick. However, that's not the case with layered pieces and sheer fabric, an ongoing theme I first highlighted back in the spring that seems to be sticking around into fall.

Up next, shop the best affordable dresses of fall 2021.