I’ve Done the Research, These 7 Micro Trends Are the Key to Elevating Your Winter Capsule Wardrobe

At Who What Wear UK, we talk about microtrends with caution—for good reason. For us, shopping is rooted in longevity, so encouraging you to jump on flash-in-the-pan social-media trends isn’t our bag. Equally, wardrobes are deeply personal. What I may brush off as “micro” could be the jewel in the crown of your winter rotation, and vice versa (the shaggy Mongolian statement coats I’m loving aren’t for everyone!)

Still, after closely studying what’s filtering through the autumn/winter 2025 runways and off-season 2026 collections, there are a handful of microtrends which have legs and are poised to go the distance. Where bug-like sunnies and thin, slinky scarves are a visually interesting nice-to-have, they, like so many other directional accessories before them, can feel wholly unwearable or somewhat of a fad to the average fashion fan like you and me.

After years of researching trends, styling and curating shopping pages, I’ve discovered that the best microtrends—especially when a low-lift and affordable accessory—help you feel more attuned to the current season, without the need to invest heavily in passing fads. Also thinking about it, if we keep our staples timeless, and just update the smaller items every now and then, it feels like a slightly more conscious way to shop (which we’ll take as a win!)

Luckily for us, the most fashionable people on my feed are proving just how wearable each and every one of these smaller cold-weather trends is this winter. From slouchy, darted trousers paired with checkered trenches to the layered-belt styling technique Miranda Priestly would approve of, they’re proving that a simple addition can elevate your looks completely. Plus, should they resonate with you now, you’ll essentially have a stylish head start on the year ahead.

So without further ado, these are the seven best winter microtrends of 2026.

The 7 Microtrends Worth Investing in This Winter

1. Pillbox Hats

Style Notes: A style synonymous with sophisticated ‘60s minimalism favoured by Jackie O and Audrey Hepburn, the return of pillbox hats was not on my winter 2025 bingo card. And yet, as I stroll the streets of London, millinery is everywhere—and it's the brimless oval purity of this style that has the fashion set in its grip. With an innate Parisian charm, pillbox hats have a timeless appeal that look so chic on those that feel comfortable enough to wear them (looking at you, Colman Domingo). They popped up at Emilia Wickstead’s A/W 25 show, perched atop colour-blocked shift dresses and sharply tailored two-piece suits, and with brands like Gigi Buress becoming a part of their modern revival, they cast a powerful elegance that feels perfectly pitched for winter 2026.

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2. High-Neck V-Necks

Style Notes: With the return of preppy fashion, high-neck V-neck jumpers are back, keeping winter’s chill firmly at bay. True to their name, the high-neck cocoon meets the open V, creating a silhouette that’s both cosy and visually intriguing. Slightly boxy in fit and finished with classic ribbed details at the hem, cuffs and neckline, brands like Rise & Fall have become synonymous with this effortlessly polished, quietly modern knitwear staple.

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3. Darted Trouser

Style Notes: With form-fitting structure quietly trickling back in (ICYMI, skinny jeans are back), there’s one style in particular gaining momentum: darted trousers. Typically sitting a touch lower than your usual tailored pair, the subtle stitch folds create a softly tapered silhouette that radiates relaxed polish. Using just a little stitch trick, the effect is surprisingly sculptural. Elongating the leg, the shape draws the eye downwards, making you look a tiny bit taller (which is never a bad thing). And right now, the most fashionable people on my feed are using this silhouette's gentle structure to anchor their winter wardrobe, balancing creamy neutrals and pops of red with trousers.

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4. Mid Uggs

Style Notes: Cosy shearling boots in winter are like florals in spring; groundbreaking and a fail-safe option that never goes out of style. Whilst the past few years have been dominated by micro Uggs and shearling-lined ballet flats, it’s hard not to remember the Y2K glamour of Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie in A Simple Life, strutting confidently in mid-height shearling boots. This winter, that nostalgic silhouette is making a fully fledged return to the mainstream. Spotted on the Talia Byre S/S 26 runway, they were paired with slinky minidresses and ruffled skirts, whilst some of the coolest Gen Z trendsetters have been putting them to the test off-duty, styling them with everything from low-waisted bootcut True Religion jeans to low-rise tailored trousers.

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5. Thick, Chunky & Layered Belts

Style Notes: Call it cliché, but no other film is quite as famous amongst fashionphiles as The Devil Wears Prada. When Miranda Priestly impatiently proclaimed, "Where are the belts for this dress? Why is no one ready?” the statement belt was cemented within the fashion zeitgeist for eternity. Yet, it's not just dresses that fashion people are wearing their statement belts with this season; it's everything in between. From playful faux-fur jackets cinched with a thick, wrapped belt to chunky, buckled iterations layered over a loose blazer, belts have fast become one of the chicest accessories right now. Structuring the loosest silhouettes and adding visual interest to the most minimal pieces, the best statement belt will help to make a simple outfit feel relevant.

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6. Brooches

Style Notes: We’ve seen plenty of vintage-inspired trends pulled straight from the ’70s, but few feel as sophisticated as the return of the brooch. Quietly making waves this season on runways from Tory Burch to Miu Miu, this once-forgotten, “grandma’s jewellery box” staple has shed its rust and feels completely fresh this winter. Need proof? Look no further than Jennifer Lawrence. Having been spotted wearing a fair few brooches, she uses their distinct shapes to elevate everything from a loose blazer to a striped tee, showing just how unexpectedly modern this accessory truly is.

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7. Printed Tights

Style Notes: Style Notes: With dopamine dressing practically a necessity in winter, fashion people are leaning into printed tights to inject some much-needed playfulness into their cold-weather wardrobes. From icy white lace to bold animal motifs ( like the zebra print stripe Chloë Sevigny helped put on the map), these tights instantly lift the simplest of outfits. Everywhere this season, from chicly mismatched pattern-blocked looks at Emilio Pucci to Cplus Series, where polka-dot hosiery lightened up a pared-back tartan kilt.

And, as always, it's not just designers championing this microtrend; A -listers are right there with them. From Dua Lipa to Bella Hadid, the stylish celebs are embracing these whimsical prints, proving that printed tights are the quickest way to add personality to your winter wardrobe.

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