These Are the 6 Trends Straight From New York Fashion Week That It Girls Will Actually Wear
New York Fashion Week has ended, and while the season was a little quieter than normal, the clothing had a lot to say. Maybe that's why NYFW didn't have to be loud this season. The clothing was loud enough.
The collections felt wearable in an exciting way. This wasn't clothing you already owned. Rather, it was clothing you maybe were too scared to wear presented in a way that felt practical for a New York way of life that involves a bunch of hustle and bustle. The very best looks of the week featured a lot of movement, color, and vibrancy that reflected the city's iconic way of being.
While the city can be described as tough and hard, there was a lot of texture at fashion week to quite literally soften the blows of the concrete jungle. Polka dots are officially on their way out as the reigning It pattern, and stripes (on stripes on stripes) are making their way in. Actually, all patterns are in—as long as you wear them all at once. Baring it all is also quite hot, and sexy cutouts in the least suspecting places took over multiple runways.
Below, see the six NYFW trends for fall/winter 2026 that we already know will be all over the city and beyond in no time at all.
From L to R: Collen Allen, Tory Burch, and Coach; All F/W '26
Sexiness has been back on the runways for some time now and it was certainly back in a big way in New York.
In the city's typical fashion, sex appeal looks weirder and freakier than it does in other more conventional fashion capitals. Think peek-a-boo cut-outs in the least suspecting places: directly on the hips or under the armpits. Lace continues to dominate as a fabric, but designers like Colleen Allen showed little concern with layering it on top of solid fabrics; instead she let the skin peer through. Similarly at Tory Burch, models wore sheer shirts with nothing underneath and showed no shame about it.
From L to R: Diotima, Eckhaus Latta, Sandy Liang; All F/W '26.
In a world that could certainly use some softening with people everywhere looking for comfort from the news cycle, the emergence of fluffy details in fashion feels inevitable. Who doesn't want to snuggle up with a fur stole like at Eckhaus Latta or slip their feet into a pair of bunny heels like at Sandy Liang? While texture can feel intimidating, even Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, a forever minimalist style icon, told Glamour magazine in 1992 that if she wanted to add "impact" to an outfit, she'd do so with texture. It looks good and it feels good. What's not to love?
From L to R: Ulla Johnson, Ralph Lauren, Anna Sui; All F/W '26.
But perhaps more intimidating than texture is pattern mixing and matching. When it's done right, it's an iconic look. An outfit that somehow works while featuring florals and leopard print and argyle is no easy feat. But that's why it's such a fun risk to try to take. It'll instantly give you the ultimate fashion compliment when people tell you they would have never thought to wear it. Thankfully New York Fashion week designers like Anna Sui, Ralph Lauren and Ulla Johnson are showing us how it's done and giving us plenty to use on our moodboards.
From L to R: Proenza Schouler, Eckhaus Latta, Zankov; All F/W '26.
If you'd prefer to stick to one print, then there is only one answer and that is stripes. After polka dot dominance for what feels like years now, the humble stripe is making a comeback. These are not your 'french girl chic' stripes worn with jeans and loafers. These stripes were different in a distinctively New Yorker way. Often on the runway they were worn with other stripes, which created a bit more dimension. Stripes seem basic but no one can accuse you of being basic if you wear them like this.
From L to R: Khaite, Collina Strada, Kallmeyer; All F/W '26.
The memeification of Lily Rose Depp's 'buttoned to the top' is one of the best things to happen to fashion because high necks, funnel tops, big turtlenecks and just about anything all the way 'to-the-top' is happening. It's a literally elevated look that feels extremely elegant. At New York, designers showed that the 'to-the-top' mentality can be less straightforward than a buttoned up trench and include frilly Marie Antionette like collars and sweaters layered on top of sweaters but tied around the neck.
From L to R: Altuzarra, Michael Kors, and Marc Jacobs; All F/W '26.
It's been a minute since the infamous Miu Miu mini and the skirts of the moment are miles from it, at least in length. The skirts that were most covetable at fashion week were those that nearly graced the ankle. Longer skirts have a reputation for not being as fun and sexy as the alternative but they are every bit as slinky with a bit of a ladylike wink.
