A Chic Parisian Just Told Me What Elegant Trends We Should Expect to See in 2026
My Instagram feed, which is overwhelmingly focused on fashion, likely comes as no surprise to anyone who knows me. Given my obsession with style and the fact that I follow approximately 80% of fashion influencers, my page is a constant source of trend forecasts, styling tips, must-have products, and outfit inspiration. The majority of this content comes from European creators, particularly those based in Paris and Denmark because I find they set the trends.
That said, you might imagine my Instagram is a lot, and it is. Still, there are videos or posts that capture my attention. This usually happens when a fashion insider shares their predictions for what will be considered chic and cool. That's why I paid close attention when I came across a reel from Paris-based content creator Lara Celia detailing her 2026 trend predictions.
Her concise list of fashion and beauty predictions felt carefully curated, suggesting she had thoroughly thought through her ideas before filming, which lends her credibility as a viewer. She began by stating that slim-fitting jeans will surpass baggy jeans, a trend we at Who What Wear have already noticed among chic dressers wearing stovepipe and cigarette jeans. Next, she predicted that side parts would replace middle parts, and so on.
Intrigued, I reached out via email to learn more. I first asked where her predictions stem from. She explained that she spends significant time on Substack, Pinterest, and Instagram, and closely analyzes runway collections. She also noted, "Living in Paris makes spotting trends in real life quite easy." Before diving deeper into her four specific trend predictions, I asked for her take on the overarching 2026 style aesthetic. Her answer was "messy chic," as she believes the clean-girl aesthetic is fading and quiet luxury will persist.
Scroll down to read her detailed insights on why she believes these four particular fashion and beauty trends are set to dominate in 2026.
Slim-Fitting Jeans
"Everyone keeps saying skinny jeans are back," Celia says. "This is more rage bait than a real prediction. Of course, they will eventually trend again; that’s how fashion cycles work. But will 2026 be the year of their return? I doubt it. Instead, I believe we’ll gradually transition to slimmer silhouettes—not skinny, but slimmer. Bella Hadid, Rihanna, and Hailey Bieber are already wearing them."
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Side Parts
"[Twenty twenty-six] is going to be the year of a side part (and side bangs)," Celia shares. "I noticed this shift last year in Paris, where it felt like everyone collectively decided to stop wearing their hair in a middle part. It’s like they always know something I don’t." What she loves about the look is that it doesn't require a hairdresser. And such a small change, a different hair part, can completely change the vibe of your outfit. Celia notes that almost every chic A-lister has been sporting it lately: Bella Hadid on the red carpet for the premiere of The Beauty; Odessa A’Zion, Ayo Edebiri, and Charli XCX at the Golden Globe Awards; and Kylie Jenner at the Critics Choice Awards.
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Oversize Sunglasses
Whether you're ready or not, moderate eyewear will be taking a backseat in favor of oversize sunglasses. This shift was evident on the runways for spring 2025 at Saint Laurent, Chloé, and Gucci, and in pre-fall 2026 collections from Khaite, Chanel, and Gucci, according to Celia. While this trend might not suit everyone, Celia notes that these frames are an immediate outfit-elevating tool. She recommends Chimi, Jimmy Fairly, and Vinted for this statement eyewear style.
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Messy Updos
"For the past few years, perfect bouncy blowouts and carefully slicked-back buns have dominated our feeds," Celia notes. "But as many have argued before me, the clean-girl aesthetic is dead. [Twenty twenty-six] will be the year of fun, messy updos, and natural hair. The slick-back has been my default hairstyle for the past five years, but now I’m excited to have more fun with my hair again and give my hairline a break. Turns out constant tension from slicked-back styles has consequences." To learn how to create the chicest messy updo, Celia recommends watching content creator Allegra Samsen's tutorial.
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