The power of fashion designers is their transformative ability to show us something new. Sometimes it’s a completely fresh design, and sometimes it’s the altering of a traditional silhouette, hue, or fabric in order to make it appear fresh to our seasoned eyes. Whether it is
leggings under dresses
,
’90s minimalism
, or
strapless tops
, our favorite fashion brands are experts at putting a fresh spin on dated silhouettes, and this spring ’21 season, they’ve given us reason to reevaluate tunics.
The definition of a tunic can waver ever so slightly, but it’s basically a simple, boxy top that falls somewhere between your hips and knees and is often paired with pants or a long skirt. It’s a fairly versatile piece that’s been around for a long time, but this season’s version is anything but boring.
From ribbed knits at
Simon Miller
to logo-embossed tanks at
Prada
to structured wool at
Marina Moscone
, tunics dominated the runway this season. The low-hanging top creates something similar to a drop-waist silhouette that alludes to decades prior—the ’20s and the ’60s, specifically.
In terms of styling, the overall ensemble often gravitated toward the minimalist end of the spectrum. We saw matching sets at
JW Anderson
, a simple black-and-white pairing at
Jason Wu
, monochrome at
Micheal Kors
, and silky separates at
Zero + Maria Cornejo
. We even glimpsed a belt slung around the models’ hips layered over wide-leg pants at
Bevza
, reminiscent of early aughts styling. Whether or not you’re ready to embrace this recycled trend is up to you, but with the proliferation of modern options on the market right now, we think you’ll be surprised at how chic they can really be.
Shop Our Favorites:
Macali Silk Tunic Shirt
Piqué-bib Cotton Tuxedo Tunic Shirt
Combination Tunic
Tie-neck Tunic
Merino Wool Roll-neck Tunic Dress
Sleeveless Panelled Tunic
Side Slit Ribbed Knit Top
Panelled Tunic Top
Dart Detail Fitted Top
Playa Pleated Tunic
Open-collar Striped Tunic
Stretch Viscose Tunic Top
Top photo: Courtesy of Simon Miller; Courtesy of Bevza; and Courtesy of Prada
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