For some, mid-September means back to school and the start of the autumn season. For fashion people, it means it's time for another fashion month. New York Fashion Week spring/summer 2026 had officially wrapped up, and the beautiful weather in NYC meant the show attendees luckily had the freedom to wear their very best looks—sans concerns about puddles and umbrellas. While the runways have been filled with upcoming spring trends, the fashion crowd has been embracing all of the latest autumn/winter trends to view the collections over the past week.
I put my fashion-editor sleuthing skills to work and examined hundreds of outfit photos in search of the trends that popped up the most outside the spring/summer 2026 shows. Six, in particular, caught my attention repeatedly, and they happen to be some of the most wearable trends for the current season.
Keep scrolling to see them in action straight from the streets of NYC and then shop the standout autumn trends for yourself.
6 Trends That Dominated New York Fashion Week S/S 26
1. Checks, Please
Style Notes: Step aside, stripes and polka dots—the It classic print of autumn is plaid. The fashion crowd incorporated plaid into their NYFW wardrobes via shirts, skirts, dresses, and outerwear, giving their outfits a preppy-chic feel in every instance.
Shop the Trend:
Reformation has nailed autumn dressing this year.
A plaid shirt will pair well with jeans, shorts and skirts.
Yes, to this entire look.
2. Lace Everything
Style Notes: Of all the street style trends I spotted at this season's shows, romantic lace was probably the most prominent. Whether as an accent or head-to-toe lace, the fashion crowd went wild for the trend. If you want some seasonal shopping inspiration, I highly suggest adding a lace piece or two to your list.
Shop the Trend:
All of out editors have their eyes on this Zara number.
A boho dream.
This will go with everything.
3. Red Accent Sweaters
Style Notes: For the past several seasons, there's been an It red piece, and the buzzy piece for autumn 2025 appears to be the red accent sweater. To attend the shows, the fashion crowd wore them draped over their shoulders, around their waists, and layered underneath outerwear. There's no easier way to add a pop of colour to your outfit.
Shop the Trend:
Tie this around your shoulders for a chic preppy look.
I love this button-up iteration.
Chunky knits will always have a place ub my wardrobe.
4. All the Animal Prints
Style Notes: As I'm sure you recall, last year was all about leopard print. It's still very much a thing, but this autumn, all animal prints are on board. Spotted outside the shows (in addition to leopard) were snake, zebra, and cow print. You can go the subtle route and incorporate the trend via an accessory or make a statement with a dress or jacket. Either way, you'll look incredibly forward this season.
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A great high-street find.
These jeans are constantly selling out.
So sleek!
5. Column Skirts
Style Notes: Flared skirts are lovely, but the trend all over the sidewalks of New York for the past several days has been column skirts. Think of them as longer pencil skirts. If you ask me, it's one of the chicest, most elegant trends of the season, and I love seeing how the show attendees styled them. (More often than not, it was with basics.)
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Simple, chic and easy to style.
I'd style mine exactly like this.
Tick off two trends in one with this plaid iteration.
6. Tan Outerwear
Style Notes: The brown-outerwear trend of last autumn and winter is still alive and well, but the outerwear colour I saw again and again on the streets of NYFW was tan. Whether in the form of a trench, barn jacket, or bomber (to name a few), tan was everywhere I looked. Like brown, it's one of those outerwear colours that looks elegant no matter what you wear with it.
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Iconic.
This slightly deeper hue will pair well with neutrals and bold colours alike.
This suede fabrication is calling to me.
