The fashion landscape can feel like it's defined by micro-trends and a constant newness that can feel impossible to keep up with. As a result, I find myself drawn to the concept of a wardrobe that doesn't chase the moment, but outlasts it. As a fashion editor, I am surrounded by some of the best-dressed women in the business, and it's always the classic dressers who look incredible season after season, regardless of the trends.
To me, a classic dresser is someone who favours timeless silhouettes, refined tailoring and a considered colour palette over anything overtly 'trending'. It's less about standing out for having the latest 'it' piece and more about cultivating a signature look that will endure. But that doesn't mean a classic wardrobe has to stagnate. The key is to select pieces that will effortlessly complement what you already own. Focus on pieces with clean lines, minimal detailing and timeless prints that return year after year, alongside silhouettes that consistently prove their worth rather than fleeting fads.
But if you're after a foolproof guide on how to upgrade your classic wardrobe for the new season, I've compiled five trends classic dressers are backing for spring 2026, so you can go straight ahead and find your favourites. Shop the edit below:
5 SPRING 2026 TRENDS FOR CLASSIC DRESSERS:
1. FUNNEL-NECK JACKETS
Style Notes: This may seem like a micro-trend as it is absolutely dominating our feeds as well as the high street right now, but those of us in the fashion industry remember first spotting this silhouette in Phoebe Philo's first collection for her eponymous label back in 2023. Phoebe Philo is considered the queen of classic dressing because everything she creates stands the test of time and elevates an outfit to covetable new heights, so if Phoebe's done it, you can trust it will look good for years to come.
Shop the Trend:
The cinched waist is genius.
A fashion editor favourite.
I just love the utility detailing!
A springtime shade.
Bubble hems on everything this season.
2. BROWN DENIM
Style Notes: Brown may be a colour we associate with winter dressing, but it's emerging as a spring staple among classic dressers. Why? It's a great way of wearing denim without compromising a neutral colour palette - the foundation of a classic wardrobe. It's as capsule as denim can get, and even grounds spring pastels, taking them from girlish to grown-up. Copy @monikh and use a mix of brown shades to create a tonal look, or pair with butter yellow for a chic spring colour combination.
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Oversized and boxy - just how we like it.
Pairs well with retro prints.
Wear with a white blouse.
The slouchier the better.
Pair with an oversized knit.
3. MONOCHROME
Style Notes: Talking of classic colour combinations, there's none more classic than black and white. It's an incredibly versatile pairing with endless ways to style them together, but if you're after that chic, minimalist vibe, then it's all about cut, silhouette and texture. Keep pieces clean, so think collarless cardigans and blazers, a-line or column skirts and tailored trousers in shades of black, charcoal, white, off-white and cream, in textures with a smooth finish like cotton, satin, leather and super thin cashmere.
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Elegant and timeless.
A brighter take on the slouchy tote.
The perfect workwear shirt.
A holiday essential.
Just add an oversized blazer.
4. CORD PENDANT NECKLACES
Style Notes: Being a classic dresser doesn't mean you're resigned to a life of gold hoops and chain necklaces. There's still plenty of room to embrace more statement-making pieces, and a cord pendant necklace is a perfect example. Surprisingly versatile, the black cord works across a wide range of outfits, adding depth to looks that might otherwise feel flat. With pendants available in gold, silver and semi-precious stones in a range of shapes and sizes, it introduces a subtle sculptural quality. The result is a necklace that elevates classic staples like tailoring and knitwear, pulling everything together to create a timeless, considered aesthetic.
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Engrave with something special.
Elevate a white tee.
Pairs well with natural textures such as linen.
Handmade in Athens.
Layer with beaded necklaces for a bohemian vibe.
5. FLIP-FLOPS
Style Notes: Sleek, minimal and barely-there, the grown-up flip-flop has firmly established itself as a staple in a classic dresser's wardrobe. It takes all the hallmarks of timeless style: clean lines, understated design, and versatility, and reworks them into a modern sandal that has dominated for the past few years, with no sign of slowing down. There's hardly an outfit it doesn't complement. Wear it with everything from slip dresses and skirts to tailored trousers and jeans.
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The only sandals you'll need this season.
Add to tailored cream trousers for a sleek neutral look.
A great holiday pair.
Burgundy is such a chic shade.
I have these and honestly wear them every day in summer.