If this wasn’t evidence enough, Lyst’s Q1 Index for 2026 placed Chanel at number one on its list of hottest brands of the year, and it’s easy to see why. Be it his highly sought-after handbags which had influencers, stylists and editors practically squabbling over in stores, the much loved ready-to-wear collections shown in Paris and Biarritz or the divisive ‘naked’ sandals from the Cruise show that went viral, the industry right now is all about Blazy.

But the Blazy effect hasn’t just increased sales for Chanel directly, it’s increased sales on the second-hand market, too. The French luxury retailer is such a wanted brand that unsurprisingly now more than ever, people who perhaps can’t afford new Chanel, or can’t even get their hands on it even if they could, are looking to resale sites for new pieces, vintage accessories and collectors items.

Though some people are undeniably avid vintage shoppers (guilty as charged), it feels like it's taken a while for the world to catch up, for it to seem like less of a niche market. But, with the increased use and ease of platforms like Vinted, Depop, eBay and Vestiaire it’s no wonder it’s now much more common. So much so, Vinted was recently named the UK’s third largest retailer, overtaking M&S, H&M and Zara.

And it’s not just Blazy’s Chanel that is sought after. I’ve noticed many style insiders and celebrities wearing vintage Chanel Flap bags which were originally introduced in the 1950s, as well as the iconic Cambon bag and *those* Y2K ballet pumps that were a certified favourite of Lauren Conrad, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie in the early 2000s.

As such, it would be a sin to speak of archive Chanel and not speak of Karl Lagerfeld, who was artistic director for the house from 1983 to his death in 2019, creating some of the most idolised collections, campaigns and runway shows in fashion history. This legacy, that was of course also built by Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel herself, has marked Chanel as a consistent investment item over history, much like art, fine jewellery or watches. Interestingly, Vestiaire reports that it is the number one brand for investment value on the platform, boasting a "Vestiaire Value Ranking" of 1404 points, outperforming Louis Vuitton (1227) and Hermès (1156).

But where to start if you're a novice, not an expert? As an avid second hand shopper (I actually just purchased my first Chanel bag this year on eBay), I’m often perplexed as to why some people don’t also love the thrill of buying vintage. Whenever I ask, I’m always met with the same answers: the feeling that it's a huge effort, the (largely misunderstood) idea that all second hand is too worn in and in bad condition, and not knowing what to look for or invest in.

Lucky for you, I have some expert advice that might help.

Which Chanel Items are Currently Trending on the Second Hand Market?

Amy Bannerman, eBay’s pre-loved style director, says that they have had multiple requests at the archive for the classic Chanel jacket, “Matthieu Blazy’s new collection is very “of the moment” and it has caused a bit of competitive shopping, but it just shows the these classic items stand the test of time.” As well as the classic Chanel jacket, eBay reports that “Chanel bowling bag” as a term has increased by 131% month-on-month since December 2025, proving the interest in styles from the early-mid noughties. Also from this era is the Cambon bag, Flap bag styles in metallic and gloss leather finishes, as well as the quilted ballet flats with the XXL monogram, all of which I'm seeing frequently on my feed right now. Adding to this, after years of quiet luxury, maximalism is back (powered by Blazy, of course). As such, we expect to see the rise of logos return again as we go into autumn and 2027, and is there a more iconic logo or monogram than Chanel's interlocking double 'C'?

If You Want ‘Blazy' Style Chanel But Pre-Loved, Which Eras or Pieces Should You Search For?

One of the eras Blazy is really bringing back is the '20s flapper girl aesthetic. Drop waists on dresses, long pearl necklaces, t-bar shoes and clutch bags with long chain straps all feature in the autumn/winter 2026 and Cruise collections. Blazy is really making a case for joyous dressing and 'dressing up' for any occasion. As such, looking for Chanel clutch bags especially those with fringe leather details on zippers, feel very "now," and are a fraction of the RRP. You can also easily find a lot of brooches, which are enjoying a huge comeback thanks to Blazy.

But probably the most wanted items, the pièce de resistance from Blazy's Chanel, are a certain style of shoe. "Everyone is going nuts for the two tone heels, and if you're looking for a sell-out style, you might already be able to find them with authenticity guarantee. Of course though, the two tone pumps are something Chanel has done time and time again, so these are always popping up," notes Bannerman.

Which Chanel Items Make the Best Investment Pieces?

Chanel items really are one of the best fashion investments you can make because they hold their value and are truly timeless. For Bannerman, handbags are the best bet. "A Chanel quilted bag is always a great investment, especially as they continue to rise in price. I bought my dream Chanel bag recently, a vintage flap bag on eBay which was only £700. It is interesting to note that Chanel have just launched a new bag under Matthieu’s direction which looks purposefully pre-loved but costs in excess of £10,000—this means I saved over £9000 by buying mine on eBay."

Whenever one speaks of 'investment pieces', watches and jewellery almost always come up, and Chanel's Première watch models are a signature I'd recommend looking out for. When it comes to jewellery—be it fine or costume—there's so much to discover. The classic monogram earrings, for example, whether in pearl or diamond or plain gold are an every day staple and perfect for gifts. Personally, I always seem to have Chanel evening bags on my eBay wish list. These bags might not be for the every day, but they don't date, and will incur compliments whenever you wear them. Whether you're at a wedding, Wimbledon or a Christmas party, a Chanel bag will always be an asset!

Which Vintage Chanel Items Are Most Worth Searching For?

Naturally, it depends on your personal style, and whilst yes—there are certain 'forever' pieces that won't date, like the aforementioned classic watches, jewellery and Flap bags, it's the more niche items I think are best found on pre-loved sites. The pieces I notice true fashion people wearing are those that are a little more unique, printed, colourful. I guess this proves the one downside to Blazy's overtly 'hyped' collections, is that the very nature of a something that sells out, means that many people have it. With secondhand, you might have to hunt for it, but you can find something more scarce. This might be gigantic earrings or a silk headscarf adorned with the iconic interlocked 'CC' monogram à la Sex and the City's Samantha Jones. Lagerfeld introduced a lot of sportier collections in the '90s and '00s, so you could bag yourself a duffle bag or a water bottle (you'd be surprised how many Chanel lifestyle accessories there are if you look). You never know, you may even be able to find yourself a Chanel surf or chess board, because yes—these do exist.

Which Era of Chanel Is More Affordable Now, But Will Likely Increase In Value?

Blazy has really revamped the classic Chanel tweed as well of course as the two-tone shoe, so the more traditional, pre-Lagerfeld era, Chanel ready-to-wear like the two-piece suits, court shoes are already on the rise. For Bannerman, her focus is the '80s, a huge trend for A/W26. "I am obsessed with the '80s and we are seeing a resurgence in '80s references and shape which I am thrilled about. The less popular 80s style bucket bags are so practical yet much cheaper than the quilted boxier versions. This one, for example, is a beauty." It goes without saying that the Y2K era is the fastest growing era for pre-loved Chanel. Whilst certain silhouettes like the Cambon and bowler bags are already sought after, many from this era are still quite forgotten, but not for long!

Keywords and specific styles to search for are the Bon Bon tote, the Matelassé and the Wild Stitch tote, which is a perfect work bag. But if I'm honest, those who list their items with specific names, years or eras are those most likely to know their true worth. You're better off searching more generically with keywords that match what you're looking for (colour, fabric i.e. caviar leather, quilted, nylon, for example) and taking the time to scroll. The best deals to be found are from those that don't know what they've got.

Shop the Look

Presenting a collection during the exclusive event is by invitation only, and controlled by Paris’s Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, meaning that only the most exceptional maisons can participate. The result is garments that are nothing short of masterpieces, often taking hundreds of hours to complete and rendered with painstakingly accurate, breathtakingly beautiful hand-stitched embroidery, flourishes, sequins and accents.

Each garment is then made to order using the precise measurements of the ultra-high-net-worth clients who have the extreme fortune of taking these creations home. However, for many of us, it is just a privilege to revel in the sight of these showpieces. That’s why whenever Haute Couture Week rolls around, it’s paramount to take the time to peruse each look and inspect every minuscule stitch and meticulously applied motif.

Despite a more considered and pared-back schedule, especially compared to the ready-to-wear seasons staged each February and September, there is still a chance that something exceptional passes you by. To save you the trouble, we've compiled a guide to the unmissable moments, exceptional looks and visual references that are dominating conversation in fashion circles.

It goes without saying that a lot of these looks will linger with you. So, without further ado, scroll through for all the noteworthy designs from the F/W 26 haute couture collections.

Everything of Note From Fall/Winter 2026–2027 Haute Couture Week

1. At Schiaparelli, Gaudí, Ghostface and Kinky Silicone

For Schiaparelli’s F/W 26 haute couture collection, creative director Daniel Roseberry penned a manifesto on the "magic of creation" which can be "found only in total surrender to the unknown", as he wrote. "Codes—as beloved as they are—aren’t meant to be static," he continued, explaining his decision to eschew conventional Schiaparelli archetypes for something far more imaginative and inventive.

In place of literal anatomical motifs, subversive, surrealist faces were woven into dresses that resembled the Ghostface villain from the Scream franchise. In the place of keyhole symbols, vibrant fish scales adorned dresses and jackets to resemble the architecture and façades of Gaudí masterpieces, including Barcelona’s Casa Batlló.

Furthering the French maison’s innovative spirit, Roseberry fused quotidian materials with superb craftspersonship, creating breathtaking gowns made from subversive latex and dreamy silicone. Indeed, it’s clear that the upper echelon of fashion has caught jelly fever, with Roseberry rendering this gelatinous and aquatic material into sculptural corsets, coral-inspired skirts and sea urchin sandals.

These bustiers were a focal point for the panoply, made by carving the resin mould by hand before casting it with a porcelain effect and rendering it in hyperrealistic shades that melted to the body.

One exceptional moment came not on the runway but in the hours after. The closing look, modelled by Ivy Stewart, was whisked from the opulent parlour inside the Petit Palais where it was presented that morning and immediately transported to the red carpet at Leicester Square, where Zendaya wore it for the world premiere of The Odyssey that afternoon. Talk about an epic adventure.

Elsewhere, on the front row, Schiaparelli continued its procession of awe-striking designs with the silhouettes it dressed its guests in. Emma Corrin, ever the fashion chameleon, was washed in pastel plumage in a feather-adorned jacket accented with a funnel neckline and protruding, nipple-like talons.

Bad Bunny made his haute couture debut in a buttercream suit and gilded tie that appeared as though he was wearing a plait around his neck. Those in the know will recognise this as a callback to Schiaparelli’s F/W 24 ready-to-wear collection, which invoked the tailoring seen in Pippa Garner's 1987 photography collection, Future Man!

The subjects of the legendary 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning might’ve told us that reading is fundamental, but when it comes to fashion, referencing is clearly even more essential.

2. At Dior, Fans, Ferns and a Glimpse at Jonathan Anderson's Bridal Visions

Jonathan Anderson might’ve designed Taylor Swift’s wedding dress, the first haute couture creation of its kind for a celebrity since the Northern Irish designer took the helm of the brand, but he skipped the exclusive New York City nuptials over the weekend ahead to stay in Paris for Dior’s FW/ 26 haute couture show.

Despite remaining quite tight-lipped after the show—he told the press that "it was a joy to work with her"—he did provide a glimpse of what his vision for a bride would entail. In the esteemed couture tradition, he concluded his collection with a dreamy off-the-shoulder white gown, complete with resplendent fern motifs and rosette details.

Botanicals have been a consistent part of Anderson’s work at the luxuriate, from his lily pad heels to his frog chainmail clutches. This season, it took a starring role as the Jardin des Tuileries was transformed into a greenhouse flanked with black-lacquered wood and lined with fronds. On the runway, a verdant, grass-like fabric was woven throughout the collection, appearing in long robes, cropped bar jackets and fringed scarves.

But where boutonnières and embroidered petals constantly appear, Anderson used the collection to honour the work of American sculptor Lynda Benglis. Using her methodology of knotting and moulding as a framework for textile manipulation, Anderson created sumptuous dresses that pleated like accordions. This idea of folding hit a literal note in the suite of fans that appeared in the collection, perhaps a nod to the fact that Paris had just encountered a record-breaking heatwave in the weeks prior? Metallic plissé hats were also a highlight and cemented Anderson as not only an incredibly cerebral designer, but one who always relishes humorous touches.

On a more serious note, Dior also embraced the long-standing relationship between Benglis and artisans in the Ahmedabad and Gujarat regions by showcasing the Indian crafts of chintz and gemstone carving. The latter, a finely woven cotton textile bearing floral motifs, was on display through the clutch bags that bore antique chintz prints that date back to the 18th century.

If designing the most important dress of Taylor Swift’s life wasn’t the biggest thing to happen to Anderson this week, this sophomore show certainly is. But he wouldn’t get by without a little help from his friends: Sabrina Carpenter, whom he also dressed for her magnum opus Coachella headliner, Josh O’Connor, whom he dressed for Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers and Alexa Chung, who recently wore a custom chartreuse Dior dress to the 2026 Met Gala.

3. At Chanel, Mattieu Blazy Gets His Happily Ever After

Once upon a time, there was a man named Matthieu Blazy who landed the job of one’s dreams as the artistic director of Chanel. The designer knows his life is a fashion fairytale, and for the French maison’s latest haute couture collection, he materialised the whimsical universe he occupies, complete with climbing vines, beanstalk heels and magpie treasures.

The first model stepped out onto the runway carrying a century-old leatherbound book of fairytales that was owned by Coco Chanel herself. Compounding this ode to fantasy was the soundtrack, featuring snippets of The Lord of the Rings soundtrack and "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None The Richer, arguably one of the most romantic songs of the '90s.

The collection itself was laden with references to literary archetypes and folklore, including a miniature sleeping bear bag that would suit the Goldilocks amongst us and stilettos accented with thorned roses à la Beauty and the Beast. The Golden Goose, Swan Lake, Snow White and Princess and the Pea were all obvious references, too.

Elsewhere, the front row was matched with a dramatic lineup, including Teyana Taylor, Pedro Pascal, Sarah Pidgeon, Alexa Demie and Elizabeth Debecki. The most noteworthy addition was Joël Blanc, a French artist who specialises in live watercolour landscapes from prestigious sporting events, including Roland-Garros. In a world fixated on the return of physical media, could there be a more charming form of documentation than this?

The question that remains, however, is whether Chanel would get its happily ever after. Given that Blazy is quite the romantic, the answer should be obvious. In his imagination, however, the narrative doesn’t end with the princess being swept off her feet by her prince and heading down the aisle, despite the presence of a fantastical wedding dress.

Instead, he looks to the lives of Gabrielle Chanel and Princess Diana, ending the show with a "revenge dress" rendered in sultry black, proving that the women he designs for don’t need rescuing, but rather elegant clothes to write their own stories in.

4. At Balenciaga, Pierpaolo Piccioli Returns To Cristóbal's Roots

Cristóbal Balenciaga is heralded as one of the best couturières the world has ever seen. So, it is a demanding task to live up to the reputation of someone so esteemed that his nickname is “The Master”. His successor, Pierpaolo Piccioli, has always worked best in high-stakes settings, with the majority of his most memorable collections at Valentino the most dramatically staged. (Lest we forget the collections that were presented on Rome’s Spanish Steps, Venice’s 12th-Century shipyard or France’s Château de Chantilly.)

For his first haute couture foray as creative director of Balenciaga, Piccoli once again proved himself to be a maestro with a sewing pin. Here, silhouettes, shades and textures were the main visual story, remaining true to the essence of haute couture as a showcase of textile manipulation and craftsmanship. There’s a profound beauty in stripping things back to their purest form. Expressing restraint against conjuring a sartorial spectacle made each silhouette all the more extraordinary.

Here, Piccioli proved himself a virtuoso of colour theory, with the main talking point of the collection being the expressive use of vibrant shades. The collection really ran the gamut of high-octane hues, from vermilion coats to chartreuse gowns and aubergine draped dresses. Some of the standout pieces seamlessly combined several different shades, be it aquamarine blue and slate grey or piquant yellow and royal purple.

If colours were high octane, so were the silhouettes themselves, from the ombre petals that lined one dress to the sequins that adorned another and the rich plumage that cloaked Gigi Hadid as she made her return to the runway.

Though the collection took nine months to create, it isn’t a far departure from the oeuvre he’s been developing over the last quarter-century of his career. And if this collection is anything to go by, we can only wish to have several decades more of him at the helm.

5. At Jean Paul Gaultier, Duran Lantink Becomes Fashion's New Enfant Terrible

After the revolving door of guest designers—including Simone Rocha, Glen Martens and Haider Ackermann—Jean Paul Gaultier has found its artistic lead in Dutch fashion designer Duran Lantink. His debut collection for the French fashion brand had a lukewarm reception, with many criticising his departure from JPG’s signature isms—particularly the marinière stripe, tattooed mesh, and cone bras—as too far gone in the wrong direction. Those naysayers will certainly have a lot to quip about, then, with his debut haute couture collection nothing short of provocative.

The collection itself could be distilled into two desperate ideas. The first surrounded Lantink’s interest in the opulent wardrobes of Louis IV and Marie Antoinette. Rather than take a Sofia Coppola route and subvert the 18th-century silhouettes with contemporary touches, he took a far more digital approach. Indeed, the second theme woven throughout the collection was one that interrogated the role of technology in the creation of fashion.

Here, we melded crinoline skirts with protruding elements, creating shapes that can only be described as what Demi Moore/Margaret Qualley looked like at the end of The Substance. As it did with the former Queen of France, this collection really only had one ending, and that was to send people off with their heads. But what’s a fashion week without a shade of discourse, hey?

6. At Robert Wun, Haute Couture Is Simply "Childsplay"

Robert Wun has become somewhat of a haute couture darling, imbuing the week with an element of magical realism, irony and exceptional craftsmanship. Much like Viktor and Rolf, the Hong Kong-born, London-based designer uses his runway as a forum to create pieces that can conveniently never be worn in mundane settings. There’s no mistaking his pieces as wearable art, even if the remit of where these pieces are suitable for is fairly limited.

His latest collection hit a joyful note, invoking the essence of childhood in ballgowns splattered with splashes of paint, geometric dresses that served as literal building blocks and models carrying adult-sized stuffed animals, including a tweed bear.

The pièce de résistance, however, was the closing look. In a gown that’s reminiscent of the No-Face ghost from Spirited Away, Wun evoked the memories of pre-school parties with a train made out of colourful balloons. Call it a commentary on inflation, or the state of pop-ular culture, but at a time where the state of things feels so precarious, there’s something sweet about returning to this youthful innocence and a time where pining for a blow-up dog and a slice of cake was your only concern. Much like Chloé’s Disney Princess-coded jelly mules, fashion is regressing to its most innocent self.

7. It's a Wonderful World at Pandora With a Chic Party Featuring Alexa Chung, Harry Lambert and Dree Hemingway

As anyone who has attended a fashion week would know, some of the most notable moments aren’t on schedule. (Just look at the fuss Connor Storrie’s Saint Laurent PVC trench coat caused amid a record-breaking heatwave.) Copenhagen-based jewellery brand Pandora, capitalised on the fact fashion’s eyes were on Paris by hosting the launch of their new Pandora Wonders collection.

Co-created with London-based stylist Harry Lambert, the new range reimagines freshwater pearls into childhood-invoking shapes, including ice cream cones and whimsical mushrooms. To celebrate the release of the limited-edition pieces, Pandora and Lambert threw a party at Le Gratin with the chicest guest list, including Dree Hemingway, Alexa Chung, Pat McGrath and Paloma Elsesser. To accompany the novelties, the Danish brand leaned into the French salon feeling with freshly shucked oysters, caviar bumps and free-flowing champagne. We just hope everyone made it to their shows the next morning…

I mean, as a beauty writer, I’ve tested a lot of different formulas, all claiming to have amazing coverage and longevity. However, finding a base product with an extensive shade range that won’t leave me looking ashy has been a challenge over the years. But never fear, as I come bearing good news—2026’s foundation selection has more choices than ever for those of us with dark skin. And whether you have dry or oily skin, are looking for an affordable buy or planning to splurge that bit of extra cash on a luxury formula, I've endured years of testing, swatching, and comparing the most popular foundations so that you don’t have to.

Keep scrolling below; I’ve rounded up the nine best foundations to shop in 2026, all of which come approved by a beauty writer with dark skin.

The Best Foundations for Dark Skin

• Best Overall: Fenty Soft'lit Naturally Luminous Foundation, £35
• Best Luxury: Gucci Éternité De Beauté Spf15 Foundation, £51
• Best Affordable: L'Oréal Paris True Match Liquid Foundation, £12
• Best for Dry Skin: Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation, £54
• Best for Oily Skin: Dior Forever Skin Wear Foundation, £52

The 9 Best Foundations for Dark Skin, According to a Beauty Writer

1. Fenty Beauty Soft'lit Naturally Luminous Longwear Foundation

2. Gucci Éternité De Beauté Spf15 Foundation

3. L'Oréal Paris True Match Liquid Foundation

4. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation

4. Dior Forever Skin Wear Foundation

5. Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Foundation

6. Clinique Even Better™ Makeup SPF15 Foundation

7. Refy Skin Base Skin Tint

8. ILIA Beauty Skin Rewind Complexion Stick

9. MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation

Like bathing your cheeks in all the sun-kissed goodness that would have anyone thinking you've just got back from a week in Greece, this bronzer is my go-to when my complexion feels a little dull or lacklustre. One swipe and suddenly it's like I've just stepped off the plane, with people left, right and centre commenting on how radiant I look. I know what you're thinking: surely one little pot can't do all that? If you don't believe me, keep on scrolling...

First up, let's talk formula. A hybrid between cream and gel, this product sinks into the skin like butter whilst remaining lightweight and easy to blend. It has a velvety finish, which makes your skin look plump and healthy in a matter of seconds. There are five shades available, and I like to apply the lightest shade with a kabuki brush as I find it creates the most naturally sun-kissed effect; however, the great thing about this product is its versatility.

Thanks to its unique texture, you can either apply it to areas where the sun would naturally hit (such as your cheeks, nose and forehead), or lightly blend it all over the face for a more intense bronzed finish. It's not shimmery, so you could even apply it to the hollows of your cheekbones to help contour, but I personally prefer using a contour stick for this.

I've recently opened a fresh pot, and let me tell you, there's no feeling like it. I could feel the excitement as I swirled my brush into the bronzer, knowing I was about to have a really, really good makeup day. As someone who sits at a desk most weeks from 9-5, I can't say I get the best tan during the warmer months, which is why this product is my summer essential.

Yes, it's an investment, but seeing as you only need a few swipes for your best skin yet, it will last you forever. Trust me, your future self will be thanking you for this purchase when you're looking back through photos, shocked at just how bronzed and glowy you look...

Shop Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream

Shop More Chanel Summer Favourites

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

At first glance, her look feels worlds away from the sculptural Schiaparelli moments that dominate the red carpet. But this wasn’t a casual, off-duty denim situation—it was Chanel, after all. Her floor-skimming, straight-leg “jeans” were lifted from Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel and echoed the very look she wore to open the house’s Métiers d’Art show back in December.

And here’s where it gets interesting. What reads like classic denim and a lightweight knit is, in fact, crafted from an ultra-fine silk, designed to mimic the appearance of everyday fabrics. It’s a trompe l’oeil effect that’s become something of a Chanel signature of late, also seen across the brand’s spring/summer haute couture collection.

Admittedly, it might not deliver the kind of overt drama we’ve come to expect from a Met Gala red carpet, but for Bhavitha, this particular look carries a deeper resonance—mirroring the outfit that helped launch her modelling career in the first place.

If you suddenly feel inspired to revisit your own denim collection, you’re not alone. While silk iterations may be few and far between, there’s no shortage of impeccably cut straight-leg styles to choose from. Keep scrolling to discover the best pairs to invest in now.

Shop Jeans:

The golden draped lamé dress is designed with a cascade of ruffles along the back and embellished with feathers and flower petals. The intricate design includes 1080 embroidered elements and took 761 hours to make. Robbie's look was also styled with Chanel High Jewelry, including rings and a pair of chandelier earrings that tap into the heirloom-jewelry trend we've been seeing on the rise in 2026. Ahead, see Margot Robbie's custom Chanel look for the 2026 Met Gala.

See Margot Robbie's Custom Chanel Met Gala Dress

On Margot Robbie: custom Chanel dress; Chanel High Jewelry earrings and rings; Manolo Blahnik Paloma sandals

Using the sun, sea, and sand as motifs, Chanel sent models down the runway wearing silk foulards, "rustling" raffia skirts, and cotton-canvas suiting. The accompanying beauty look wasn't far behind—think dewy, sun-kissed skin, windswept hair, and shimmering, mermaid-inspired nails.

The latter were particularly stunning. Nail artist Ama Quashie designed six dégradé colourways, ranging from cool nautical blues to sandy yellows and solar reds. While the specific shades haven't been released, Quashie told Who What Wear that the key to the look is "finding colours that work by clashing as well as melting into one another." We have a feeling this just unlocked a major summer manicure trend. See all six stunning mermaid-inspired nail looks below.

Look #1

Look 1 was sheer, ethereal and water-tinged.

Look #2

Look 2 used a collection of sun-kissed purples, ambers and pinks.

Look #3

Look 3 was all about sea-inspired turquoise blue nail shades.

Look #4

Look 4 featured sunny, shimmering shades of yellow.

Look #5

Look 5 featured ethereal, shifting shades of blue and lilac.

Look #6

Look 6 used fiery red and orange shades.

All 6 Looks, Side by Side

Here are all six Chanel Cruise Collection nail colourways—the ultimate nail inspo! We foresee "mermaid nails" becoming a major manicure trend for summer 2026.

Shop 5 Chic Chanel Nail Polish Shades for Summer 2026

If the feverish demand for the shoes was no indication of their acclaim and commerciality, nor the queues that surrounded the French maison’s boutiques in major cities like Paris, London and New York, the incessant media frenzy discussing their appeal that followed or the fact they sold out across the globe within a matter of days, then perhaps this will—everyone, everywhere can’t stop wearing them.

Just yesterday, Chanel staged its Cruise 2027 collection in the seaside village of Biarritz. A place where Gabrielle Chanel first opened her couture house over a century ago, it was homecoming of sorts for the luxuriate, complete with mermaid-inspired millinery, half-shoes designed to look like the winged sandals worn by the Greek god Hermes and about half a dozen immaculately dressed celebrities from Paloma Elsesser to Tilda Swinton, all wearing two-tone shoes.

This pandemonium started back in September when the former Bottega Veneta creative director took the helm of Chanel. Or, perhaps more accurately, all the way back in 1957, when Chanel herself debuted a revolutionary pair of slingbacks that featured a black toe-cap that contrasted against the tan body of the shoe in an homage to the masculine Oxford and Derbies worn by gentlemen of the time. But accurate creation stories need not be as relevant for a shoe trend that, nearly a century on, continues to be coveted and regarded as the acme of chic, especially given its numerous reinterpretations throughout the years.

So, what makes them so endearing? A connection to a bygone age of glamour, for starters, along with the fact this shoe has become a symbol for sophistication and unabashed simplicity. However, the appeal of two-tone shoes also comes down to their ingenious simplicity. With an archetypal shape like a slingback, pump or ballet flat, the juxtaposing colourways add an element of versatility and visual contrast that can only make any ensemble it's worn with more impactful. An injection of high-octane energy, if you will.

Countless celebrity style savants have proved this recently with their own sartorial outings, from Sarah Pidgeon out and about promoting her performance as Carolyn Bessette Kennedy in Love Story to Margot Robbie dancing to the tunes of Kylie Minogue for Michel Gondry’s short film for the Chanel 25 bag campaign and Michaela Coel commanding the streets of New York whilst doing press for her latest project, the A24 psychological drama-thriller Mother Mary.

Appealing to both minimalists and maximalists alike, a trait courtesy of their inherently multi-faceted nature, the two-tone shoe trend is also being adopted by other sophisticated brands, making this such a compelling shoe choice for spring styling.

Turkish-born, Paris-based leather accessories brand Manu Atelier has recently launched a series of two-tone shoes, the most compelling being the XX Mule, which is a black-and-white, square-toe slip-on inspired by an architectural pump first introduced in 2019.

Scottish fashion designer Jonathan Saunders has even injected the trend into his debut collection for high-street titans, & Other Stories, with a colour-blocked court shoe. Of course, that’s not even mentioning the array of two-toned shoes commanding the runway, from Chloe’s Kick slimline trainers to Loewe’s eccentric aquatic-inspired flats.

With a refined sensibility and truly timeless apparel, this modern classic is undoubtedly the shoe trend du jour. Uncover the best two-tone shoes to shop below, and trust us: you’ll only want to wear these this spring.

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By the time fashion month arrived, the runways were clearly in the mood. For his first show at Gucci, Demna Gvasalia harked back to the house’s sexiest era under another creative director: Tom Ford. Kate Moss wore the final look, a spangled high-neck column gown, its scooping back revealing a so-called "whale tail", logoed with interlocking Gs, naturally. There were also sculpted muscle tees, leggings with cut-outs on either hip and zippered leather pencil skirts (a slit darting up the left thigh). But whilst the runways dialled up the sex, the clothes outside were more demure—ladylike, even. The vibe wasn’t horny so much as housewifely, with the modernisation of garments such as aprons (courtesy of Miu Miu) and block-heeled pumps (Chanel).

If this sounds a little "trad wife"—the trend for women aspiring to be a traditional, "perfect" homemaker, complete with a certain twinset-and-pearls aesthetic—that’s not quite right. As Linda Cui Zhang, fashion director at Nordstrom, puts it, "We’ve ushered in a more romantic, feminine approach to dressing with spring that echoes the sensuality of the runway season." And, indeed, these echoes were felt on the streets during fashion month, with a sense of "real life" wearability. As Jenny Walton, author of upcoming book Jenny Sais Quoi: Adventures in Vintage & Personal Style, puts it, "Whilst a designer’s vision of a woman might show her at her sexiest, perhaps going to a show in the middle of the afternoon is not when one wants to broadcast their backside to the world. I think in real life, women primarily want to dress in a way that makes them feel comfortable, whatever that means to them."

Outside Miu Miu, Amalie Gassmann wore an outfit that one might consider traditionally ladylike, but not remotely buttoned-up, or (whisper it), boring. Instead, her cut-work lace apron-style top was tied over a sleeveless knit, whilst her skirt, also peekaboo, revealed "big knickers"—a silk pocket square folded over the waistband. It turned the idea of what dressing—or "acting"—like a "lady" entails. (Do you really think such an outfit belongs to a person who’s going to press their husband’s shirts or make sure dinner’s always on the table?) Susie Lau’s look for the Gucci show was similarly demure on the surface, featuring all kinds of ladylike flourishes: a floral scarf knotted under the chin, an oversized corsage and horsebit-embellished pumps, but the logo bag, bug-eye sunglasses and lack of hosiery made the overall picture read as "mob wife" instead of housewife.

All this to say that dressing in this way, almost cosplaying a traditional 1950s style, can be just as fun as dressing sexy, particularly in a season where the silhouettes are overarchingly 'womanly', with just a hint of what you might call frisson. "The peplum silhouette returning as a sophisticated jacket (Liberowe) or top (Ashlynn) signalled a reverence for femininity in fashion," says Zhang, adding, "More structured bags in east-west shoulder (Alaïa) and top-handle shapes (Marge Sherwood) add a feminine gesture to complete the look." Other garments that should be on your mood board include car coats, high-waisted cigarette trousers and pleated skirts, as well as details such as lace hosiery, peep-toe shoes, waist belts and drop earrings. Instead of pairing these all together, however, you should feel at liberty to mix things up.

For Walton, the key is balance. "I wear a lot of vintage, and some of those pieces have a certain 'ladylike' connotation. For me, the trick is to modernise them by pairing them with something a little unexpected. So I might wear a contemporary dress but add a vintage pair of gloves or small purse," she explains. Chloé's jelly mules—a peep-toe, bow-embellished sandal made entirely out of blue-tinted TPU—are her only new purchase of late, an item of footwear which falls "somewhere between a life-sized Barbie shoe and Cinderella’s glass slipper," but which you could pair with a windbreaker-style jacket and knee-length capri leggings instead of a circle skirt.

Ferragamo’s Vara Bow, a shoe line that includes a high-heel stiletto, a low-heel slide, pumps and slingbacks, is described as a design both "elegant and sensual" (Christy Turlington wears the stiletto in the brand’s spring campaign). You could lean into this so-called 'ladylike' vibe or use it to counterbalance baggy tailoring or elevate denim, equal parts comfortable and chic.

That’s the thing about being a "lady": the word means different things to different people, but it always, always, contains multitudes.

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For all their appeal, however, they’re not the easiest shoes to style. As anyone with a penchant for statement heels will know, finding the right outfit can be tricky. Which is why I was so surprised to see them looking their absolute best when paired with the decidedly low-key denim trend. Stepping out this week, Michaela Coel gave her Chanel pumps a low-key spin, teaming them with ultra-relaxed, low-rise jeans finished with a chunky cuff. Tempering the polished natural of the shoes, the casual jeans brought a relaxed energy that makes the four-figure heel feel entirely wearable.

Leaning into the contrast, Coel completed the look with a cropped white button-down and a longline leather trench.

Inspired by the combination I didn’t see coming—but now can’t stop thinking about—scroll on to shop baggy cuffed jeans and heels below.

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WhatsApp groups were made, personal shoppers were enlisted and transatlantic flights were booked—seriously. In other words, it caused full-blown fashion hysteria. Unsurprisingly for a brand like Chanel—one synonymous with cult handbags—the new-season accessories had already generated major buzz before hitting stores. From two-tone, square-toe pumps to new iterations of the Maxi Flap Bag (beige! suede! burgundy!), it's safe to say the collection presents more than a few status symbols.

First debuted in the S/S 26 runway show and already spotted on the likes of Hailey Bieber, Kylie Jenner and Blackpink’s Jennie, the Large Tote (a modern take on the classic oversized tote) already feels like an It bag in the making. The fresh silhouette feels effortless and cool, and its almost nondescript simplicity ensures its timelessness. This is a wholly practical bag—it can truly take you through the day— and one you'd pull out year after year without ever feeling dated.

Obviously, we need to talk about the size. It's proper XXL, almost verging on weekend-bag territory, but the short under-arm strap and narrowish profile keep it manageable for everyday use. I’ve been searching for a chic handbag to hold my daily essentials for the best part of five years; I’m talking laptop, notebook, water bottle, snacks and maybe a change of shoes. Chanel’s offering holds everything, with plenty of space to breathe. Plus, an internal pocket and front flap mean there’s a spot for your keys and phone, so you don’t have to scramble around to find your essentials.

Being Chanel, it’s precious, but not 2.55 precious. This is a bag to be used, thrown around and scuffed (and for the price tag, you’d want to be using it every day), and the black, grained calfskin leather will actually only look better with age. There’s a logo, but it’s subtle; unmistakably Chanel, but not ostentatious in any way. When it comes to investment pieces, it's always wise to start with the classics, and they don't come more classic than this.

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Autumn/winter 2026 is an interesting time and a highly anticipated season in fashion. The autumn/winter collections are always a bigger focus than spring/summer, so there’s a higher degree of pressure to deliver. What’s more is after the ‘big reshuffle’ that took place in time for last season, with over 16 new creative directors at major houses, this was the sophomore collection for a lot of high-power luxury brands and the debut of their autumn/winter vision for the respective brands.

In light of this, there’s simply so much to unpack. Particularly so with the major trends that came through from the French capital. To name a few, I noticed a lot of sharp tailoring, some expected and others less so. From Saint Laurent to Givenchy, Dior to Victoria Beckham and Tom Ford, sharp suits had a major moment. There were equestrian influences, too, to marry with the Year of the Horse. Stella McCartney even presented her collection in an actual riding hall with a magnificent horse show at the centre.

Adding to this, check prints, waterproof garments in transparent plastic materials as well as multiple collections that echoed last season’s obsession with the ‘80s, it was yet another display of joy, colour and fantasy.

5 Key Trends From Paris Fashion Week: Autumn/Winter 2026

1. Horse Power

Style notes: According to the Lunar New Year, 2026 is the Year of the Horse. And let’s just say fashion got the memo. From Stella McCartney’s horse show extravaganza within the Paris riding hall Bois de Boulogne, to Acne Studios, Chloe and Hermes (of course) bringing full horse girl energy by way of over-the-knee boots, belted blazers and silk neckerchiefs, equine influences were scattered throughout the week. Whilst equestrian style can venture into feeling slightly preppy, prim and proper, it is here sharp and streamlined. Whilst McCartney's version felt sportier and slightly more casual with jeans, Schiaparelli's three-piece suit in butter yellow was cinched and snatched.

2. Check Mate

Style notes: Check prints will always have some kind of presence on the runways, because let's face it, they're timeless. But this season there were too many to count, and in different variations. Where Dior, Dries van Noten and Acne Studios layered multiple checks one on top of the other, especially on tailoring and outerwear, Chloe stayed true to its bohemian roots, with a ruffled high neck maxi dress. At Matthieu Blazy's Chanel we expected checks across tweed sets, but not like they came in the closing few looks. Chainmail tartan midi skirts, jewel-adored blazers and trench coats finalised his epic collection—and cemented the resoundingly positive reviews.

3. Against the Elements

Style notes: It may come as no surprise that an autumn/winter season might provide much protection against the cold and wet weather. But be it Loewe's XXXL rubberised coats, vinyl trench coats at Off-White and Louis Vuitton and metallic windbreakers at Cecilie Bahnsen, practicality was a major focus on the outerwear front. Even Haider Ackermann's triumphant collection at Tom Ford, which many likened to the costume in the 2000 film American Psycho with its array of sharp '80s-style suits, also included a series of clear plastic waterproof garments, from hooded raincoats to skirts. If you're as much a fan of the film as I am, you'll remember the protagonist Patrick Bateman putting on a plastic raincoat in a specifically violent scene. Of course, none of these connotations are carried with these pieces, but the stylised and cinematic quality this use of plastic gave, instead of feeling cheap, was well noted amongst editors and critics alike.

4. Avant-Garde Silhouettes

Style notes: If there's one thing we love in fashion, it's drama. We live for vibrant colour palettes, the mixing of materials, prints and, naturally, a few voluminous silhouettes. This season wasn't exactly a sea of streamlined cuts—quite the opposite. For Mugler it was all about the strong shoulder, as ever the house stayed true to its '80s DNA. Meanwhile at Victoria Beckham, it was a dress with cut outs at the waist that left a notably on-brand 'V' shape at the front, that made an impact. At other designers, the extreme, almost avant-garde silhouette took a more dramatic formation. Louis Vuitton closed its show with several heavy shouldered, spatial pieces, that felt more like a work of art than clothing. Similarly at Vacquera, a bridal look came in a spherical shape. But my favourite of all the innovative shapes came on a deep red velvet dress at Jean Paul Gaultier, which followed a fishtail silhouette, but was—as ever with Gaultier—so much more than this.

5. Fur, Fur, Fur

Style notes: Faux fur—in its many forms—is officially back again in autumn/winter 2026. ICYMI, it had a major presence in the winter collections in 2025, but new tones, textures and coat cuts make this timeless style feel fresh. Saint Laurent's ultra short, but oh-so big on the shoulders, belted jacket was nothing shy of impactful. As too was Givenchy's take on an animal print full-length number, which I particularly enjoyed with the pairing of red accessories. Zimmermann on the hand showcased a series of furry shawls in different shades of brown. Some tied together with a brooch, other jacket or coat styles were belted, or worn loose and effortlessly off the shoulders. But my favourite of the brand's fur accents was the green-tinged lapels on the the khaki leather bolero, which when paired over the lace skirt and lingerie bodice, felt like true twenties perfection.

When leaving the house during these tranquil, transeasonal moments, you’re able to move lightly without being weighted down by heavy winter warmers or engulfed in summer heat. Truly, the cornerstone of our wardrobe becomes these hard-working, albeit extremely nimble, staples designed to complement your trousers, skirts and saccharine dresses.

As for what styles to layer, the runways were saturated with a plethora of notable spring jacket trends. A season marked by triumphant debuts and an overall joyful mood, the collections presented across each of the style capitals felt buoyant, triumphant and bright. As a result, the outerwear intended for the chic natives in Manhattan and Le Marais feels lighter, more effortless and designed to be thrown on before running out the door.

It’s this understated sophistication that makes these styles so easy to piece together. Without elaborate decoration or fussy details, these pieces are underscored with a quiet strength that makes them as breezy to build an outfit around as they are to wear. So, without further ado, scroll on ahead for the 6 key spring 2026 jacket trends, as seen on the recent runways.

6 Key Spring 2026 Jacket Trends

1. Nipped at the Hip

Style Notes: It's the cult style worn by Jacob Elordi, Michelle Obama and Sarah Pidgeon. Debuted on Matthieu Blazy's freshman collection for the French maison, the cropped blazer has swiftly become one of the most in-demand shapes. Recontextualising the laissez-faire and freeing silhouettes pioneered by Coco Chanel over a century ago, this spring jacket trend tries a more architectural approach with sharp shoulders and clean cuts.

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2. Cargo Carryalls

Style Notes: Mrs. Prada is the perennial pragmatist, though you’ll never catch her designing something that’s solely utilitarian. Underscored with wit, humour and intelligence, her designs always straddle artistic expression with real-world aptitude. So, for a collection inspired by uniformity, functional cargo jackets were juxtaposed with inherently ladylike pieces. Because in a world where everything sometimes feels at odds with each other, what’s more fitting than pairing a decorative satin skirt with a jacket designed for practicality?

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3. Night at the Opera

Style Notes: If you ever needed an excuse to dress up, take the tuxedo jacket trend as an invitation to do so. A style that featured heavily through Johnathan Anderson’s first womenswear collection—which was an homage to Monsieur Dior’s New Look—jackets that feature contrasting lapels and single-breasted fastening also took over Conner Ives’s recent autumn/winter 2026 range. Soiree season might not be till the end of the year, but why not embrace the merits of black-tie elegance all year long?

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4. Gone With the Wind

Style Notes: Less Scarlett O’Hara and more Sporty Spice, windbreakers have become one of the most ubiquitous spring jacket trends for 2026. It’s not surprising considering how much high-fashion has courted the streetwear set—lest we forget Demna closed his inaugural runway show for Gucci with an after-party hosted by Scouse rapper EsDeeKid—but technical anoraks and waisted shell jackets have begun cropping up. From aquamarine styles at Loewe to elasticated silhouettes at Lii Studio, time to ride like the wind.

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5. Queen's Gambit

Style Notes: After making a screaming return from the ‘90s, you didn’t think the grunge-inspired flannel shirt trend would go away quietly, would you? Taking a more airy format for spring, the style has translated into checked spring jackets that fuse Sloan Ranger sensibility—thanks to the Prince of Wales print—with an alternative edge. Because when the style is backed by cool independent brands like Damson Madder and Friends with Frank, why wouldn’t you give it a go.

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6. Blazing Glory

Style Notes: If you hadn’t noticed, preppy fashion is an overarching trend that’s defined most of the leading spring jackets. Whether it be through leaning into the traditional codes or eschewing them completely, most jackets permeate with an insouciant, elite and collegiate ease. The most apparent version of this is through the rise of single-breasted blazers. However, keeping things modern, these styles are being rendered in innovative fabrications, including embossed leather and mock croc.

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Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, fashion is our speciality. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognisable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality and real-world wearability.

We regularly try on pieces ourselves—everything from best-selling jeans to designer shoes—and speak to external experts and fashion insiders, staying closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise, and each and every buy we feature has to meet our exceptional taste standards—so you can feel confident in every recommendation.

Whilst the electrifying colour has always held a place in the sartorial landscape, from Phoebe Philo’s fixation with Yves Klein Blue during her tenure at Celine to the richly pigmented Dieu Bleu shade of Yeux Paint liquid eyeshadow from French beauty maven Violette, concurrent sightings of the tone on the runway and red carpet have seemingly thrust cobalt blue into the spotlight. Indeed, it appears that fashion has a new favourite colour to play with, and it’s bound to pique interest.

For the uninitiated, cobalt blue is a deep and vibrant tone that sits somewhere between the darker ultramarine and a lighter capri blue. It has been a prominent feature in culturally relevant works for centuries—some say since antiquity—like Chinese porcelain forged in the Ming Dynasty, to the works of 19th-century French Impressionists like Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Claude Monet.

Yet, for spring 2026, the cobalt blue is taking on new meaning, with the shade signalling a shift away from winter blues—both literally and figuratively—and ushering in a wave of fresh energy. Because what could be more synonymous with the languid days ahead than a colour dotted across parasols on the Côte d'Azur or nestled into the cacti in Marrakesh’s famed Majorelle Garden?

So, how did cobalt blue come to usurp the pop of red trend and butter yellow as the latest primary colour to covet? Blame it on having the best publicity or an increase in visibility, but you only need to look to the spring/summer 2026 season to see why, with cobalt blue commanding new season collections.

Even back in September during Paris Fashion Week, there were signs of cobalt blue’s supremacy. At Celine, Michael Ryder brought a touch of California cool to the Parisian maison with tie-dye long-sleeves, colour-blocked rugby shirts and—as a standout—a pair of cobalt blue derbies. At Loewe, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez presented their debut collection with rubbery coats, neoprene dresses and slouchy separates that evoked the balmy essence of Ibiza’s coastline.

Just this weekend during London Fashion Week, Toga delivered a collection of moulded tailoring, with upturned skirts and scrunched up knitwear rendered in the piquant tincture.

The moment felt like a precursor to the vivid custom Chanel gown worn by Jessie Buckley to the 79th British Academy Film Awards, which was a crushed blue velvet inspired by Matthieu Blazy’s landmark Métiers d'art 2026 collection and paid homage to the late director David Lynch. With the two sightings of the shade occurring less than 24 hours apart, it’s proof that cobalt blue is only just getting started.

But the eagle-eyed amongst us, you’d know that cobalt blue is already everywhere, if you have the attention to detail to look out for it.

From the packaging of everyone’s favourite summer shoe brand, Ancient Greek Sandals, to the palette of 2000s-inspired surfwear brands like Rashi World, the Entire Studios ensemble worn by internet heartthrob Connor Storrie and even Chanel Beauty’s new indigo denim Le Vernis nail polish shade, the reign of cobalt blue is already upon us.

Ahead, uncover the best cobalt blue pieces to shop and provide your spring wardrobe with a much-needed boost.

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Whilst visiting Sydney to celebrate the launch of Rhode into Australian beauty juggernaut Mecca, the skincare model and mogul attend the launch wearing a pair of heels that paid homage to her home state of New York. (Yes, she was born in Tuscon, Arizona, as her husband’s viral song “Yukon” hints at, but she was raised upstate in a cosy town by the Hudson River.)

The slingbacks in question featured all the bearings of the French maison’s signature design, from the two-toned colourway, thin strap and contrasting toe cap. However, in the reigns of creative director Matthieu Blazy, the style was given a more contemporary update to feature a sweet little apple perched on the heel.

The shoes actually debuted as part of Chanel’s 2026 Métiers d'art show, which itself was a love letter to the city and the chic Manhattanites that inhabit it. Set in a downtown subway station, the collection featured obvious homages to the borough, like the Empire State Building being rendered into a flippy skirt and flap bags that took the shape of the squirrels that dart through Central Park. (And that’s not even mentioning the half-zip polo jumper that opened the collection.)

Of course, it’s not the first time fashion and food has intersected, especially where footwear is involved. In the first Loewe show following the COVID-19 pandemic, Jonathan Anderson brought some joyfulness and joie de vivre back into the craft-led Spanish house with strappy sandals accented by cracked eggs, bars of soaps, melting candles and even rose buds.

But for Blazy, this shoe is just another feather in the cap of an artist who seemingly can not be stopped—at least when it comes to creating pieces that fashion’s obsessed can’t stop fixating over. The shoes also come on the heels of his new cone heels from his spring/summer 2026 range for the house, proving that he knows a thing or two about taking women to new heights in his creations.

Is it too late to put Charli XCX into these during the press run for her upcoming film, The Moment, and get her to do the viral dance that accompanies her Brat single “Apple”? Or, have Kristen Stewart, who declared she’s “committed” to directing a Twilight remake, wear these when making the project official in an homage to the book’s original cover?

Either way, we know all too well the effect Hailey Bieber herself has on influencing our wardrobes, so even if not for the love of the style, its connotations and the context that surrounds it, you can rest assured that this fruit-bearing heel is bound to get a lot of airtime. Rotten Refined to the core…

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This is a message coming from someone who could count on one hand the number of bags they own. (Which, for the record, includes a woven leather St. Agni workhorse that doubles as my laptop bag, a supple bucket bag from New Zealand-based label Yu Mei, a vintage Jil Sander clutch and a Mini Kara silver shoulder bag from Tory Burch.) I know what it’s like to watch the seasons come and go and withhold from investing in a designer bag or partaking in a niche aesthetic by purchasing a novel piece of arm candy. Which is all to say that when I tell you just how covetable the key spring 2026 bag trends are, you would benefit from believing me.

So, why this exact moment to step off the sidelines and play the field by courting a fresh style? It comes down to a few factors, with the most important being that this is the season of the mammoth creative director reshuffle that saw numerous designers take the reins and present their debut collections for heritage houses back in September. For weeks now, I’ve been counting down with bated breath for the moment Jonathan Anderson’s new suede bags at Dior land in the French maison’s boutiques, or watched how everyone from Dua Lipa to Hailey Bieber tease Matthieu Blazy’s first It bag for Chanel, the dual handle flap bag.

I’ve had an endless amount of time to pore over every still, look and angle presented on the spring 2026 runways and really work out what bag trends will have longevity. And, for the most part, the key spring bag trends are new updates on archival silhouettes, meaning that these pieces are forged with a storied history and proven track record of desirability. Better still, the lag between when the collections were presented and when the designs hit stores has proved opportune for me to mentally compile a wishlist for shapes, cuts and colours I’ll be shopping once they’re available for purchase.

Thankfully, that time is nigh, with many of these trends already trickling in. In the immortal words of Addison Rae, I’ve always wanted more, so scroll on ahead for the 6 biggest 2026 bag trends to covet now.

6 Key Spring Bag Trends for 2026

1. Chain Reaction

Style Notes: Leather straps have somewhat become the handle du jour over the past decade. Now, a bevy of luxuriates are relegating this motif to ready-to-wear, making these black nappa straps exclusive to pieces like a Ludovic De Saint Sernin top or a Khaite belt. Usurping this traditional detail is the prevalence of shiny chains. From Valentino Garavani’s chevron-quilted Panthea shoulder bag to Loewe’s slouchy Squeeze tote, this is a trend that offers a soft and industrial edge to any look. Heavy metal and reflective, indeed.

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2. Open Book

Style Notes: On the heels of the quiet luxury aesthetic, discerning shoppers are using even rudimentary styling techniques, like the closing fixtures of their bags, to convey wealth. This trend first began after a herd of Hermès stalwarts thought it novel to wear their Birkins and Kellys with the straps and flaps unfastened. Now, designers are pre-baking this look into their bags, with this undone accent cropping up everywhere from Balenciaga’s Rodeo to Fendi’s new slouchy Way bag. A pickpocket's delight, indeed.

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3. Nouveau Suede

Style Notes: Fashion continues to hedge its bets on suede. But instead of the conventional rich chocolate or lighter latte hues, many designers are rendering the texture in a more tropical and botanical colour palette fit for the season at hand. From Ferragamo’s croc-embossed clutch that’s finished in a perfect clementine shade to Australian-based brand Rylan Studio’s royal purple gathered micro tote, these are styles that are bright, airy and indicative of the warmer weather on the horizon.

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4. Space Cadets

Style Notes: As a self-identified perennial schleper, I know the plight of lugging around all my worldly possessions in one single bag all too well. Much to the dismay of my already irritated shoulder, spring will bring in a new wave of extra-large tote bags—perfect for anyone who loves carrying everything-the-kitchen-sink at the bottom of their purse or wants to recreate that iconic photo of Ashley Olsen arriving at an airport in Mexico back in 2006 wearing a bag that’s literally half her size.

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5. Origami Edges

Style Notes: The Japanese art of origami has long been a source of inspiration for Jonathan Anderson. From Loewe’s Puzzle bag, which emulates the ridges of folded paper, to Dior’s newest Ciagle bag, a style inspired by a Monsieur Dior original dress from 1952, the Northern Irish designer has always found ways of incorporating pleats and clean lines into his accessories. Now, his cohort is taking note. From Prada’s new Passage, a shape that emulates a bag-within-a-bag with a doubled-over front to Saint Laurent’s dimpled Mombasa re-issue, expect to see more sculptural bag shapes come spring.

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5. Duchesse Pouches

Style Notes: Fashion has long been obsessed with ladylike purses. Now, they’re turning their attention to duchesse pouches. Most notably a fixture of Prada’s spring/summer 2026 collection, these dainty sacks are accentuated by a soft fabric and ultra-fine strap that’s designed to be worn around your wrist or clutched in the palms of your hands. Because as the winter layers start to shed, shouldn’t the bags we carry get breezier, too?

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Why Trust Us?

At Who What Wear UK, fashion is our speciality. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognisable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality and real-world wearability.

We regularly try on pieces ourselves—everything from best-selling jeans to designer shoes—and speak to external experts and fashion insiders, staying closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise, and each and every buy we feature has to meet our exceptional taste standards—so you can feel confident in every recommendation.

Before we get right into the 10 biggest moments in fashion of 2025, see how much you were paying attention this year, with our big fat fashion quiz of the year. Good luck!

Take the Big Fat Fashion Quiz of the Year

10 Biggest Fashion Moments of the Year

1. The Devil Wears Prada 2

We couldn't speak about fashion moments this year, without speaking The Devil Wears Prada 2. With the preview teasing just enough to wet our appetites, as well as that iconic moment they attended Milan Fashion Week in September in full character to film a scene from the upcoming film, it's safe to say we we're hooked.

2. A Very Brat Wedding

Singer Charli XCX married her finacé, George Daniels, who is the drummer in the 1975, in September in Sicily. After a very chic legal ceremony in London, the couple invited all their friends to the Mediterranean for a weekend wedding of Aperol Spritz and 365 partying. From Alex Consani to Gabbriette, Emily Ratajkowski and Amelia Dimoldenberg, every cool person you follow was there. Did we have FOMO? What do you think?

3. Labubu Mania

If you've got through this year without knowing what a Labubu is, then you may have taken your digital detox too far. Pop Mart's furry toy monster doll, with its very mischievous "ugly-cute" face became a huge hit not only with Gen Alpha and Gen Z, but millennials around the world. An example of the genius of 'blind box' items, not knowing which character you were buying when purchasing drove excitement, and as such, sales. Everyone from your niece to Dua Lipa, Marc Jacobs and Rhianna had a Labubu hanging off their handbag this year.

4. Sabrina Carpenter's Tourdrobe

Sabrina Carpenter's sensational album Man's Best Friend toured this year, and with it were some beyond fabulous looks from the pop princess. From pink bedazzled mini dresses to vintage-inspired custom corsets, the outfits she served were spoken about almost as much as the album itself. We're super fans, can you tell?

5. Matthieu Blazy's Chanel Debut

Of all the creative director debuts during fashion month in September, none impressed quite like Matthieu Blazy's first collection for Chanel. From feathered skirts to a contemporary take on the classic tweed suit, Blazy managed to keep the house's heritage whilst bringing into the future. It was met with much praise, and high anticipation for his future looks.

6. Kendrick Lamar's Superbowl Bootcut Jeans

Kendrick Lamar's appearance at the Super Bowl 2025 halftime show generated significant buzz for his fashion choices, particularly his jeans. He wore Celine Homme bootcut jeans, specifically the Marco Jeans in Dark Union Wash Denim by Hedi Slimane. They were a low-waisted, loose-fitting, bootcut (or flared) silhouette, thus proving the comeback of Y2K style, and became a major talking point online and reportedly sold out quickly after the performance.

7. Grace Wales Bonner Becomes Hermès Menswear Creative Director

Although as mentioned there were numerous new leaderships announced at luxury brands this year, none meant more to us, and the industry, than the announcement of Grace Wales Bonner's appointment at Hermès menswear, which had made her the first Black woman to lead design for a major luxury house. Succeeding Véronique Nichanian, her first collection will be January 2027, where she will bring her signature tailoring and craftsmanship to the French designer.

8. Jonathan Bailey's Feet

It's been a big year for Jonathan Bailey. He was named People Magazine's 'Sexiest Man Alive' 2025, released multiple major movies, and went viral for his... wait for it... feet.
In June 2025, Bailey wore flip-flops to the Jurassic World Rebirth photocall in London, which caused much debate online. But these weren't just any flip-flops, they were The Row's Dune sandals, which were subsequently named the "hottest fashion item in the world" by the Lyst Index for Q2 2025.

9. Lily Allen's West End Girl Winter

Lily Allen has had quite a year. Her confessional break-up album West End Girl was released this autumn, and the world has been in a 'West End Girl Winter' ever since. A far cry from Brat Summer 2024, this vibe shift is all about female vulnerability and self-reflection. Of course, her outfits have been just as stuck in our minds as her songs.

10. The Met Ball Men

The first Monday in May, aka The Met Gala in New York City provides some of the best looks of the entire year. This year the theme was Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, and celebrated Black Dandyism. The surprise of the evening was that critics and the general consensus online, was that the best dressed were the male guests. From Colman Domingo to Bad Bunny and Lewis Hamilton, the men served!

The dipped-toe shoe trend first caught attention at Matthieu Blazy's debut show for Chanel during the S/S 26 runway season. The entire collection was a nod to the House's archives, but with Blazy's subtle off-kilter touch, which was portrayed in one form in the dipped-toe pumps that a handful of models wore down the catwalk. Everyone at the show and watching from afar had shoes on the brain immediately after Awar Odhiang's joy-infused finale walk, and the buzz around this particular silhouette hasn't died down in the three or so months since.

Specifically, these dipped-toe shoes had a glove-like fit thanks to buttery soft leather and a stiletto heel. They came in several two-tone colourways (such as white with black, beige with black, and white with beige) and were styled alongside pencil skirts, tweed trousers, and more.

The same styling came into play at the Métiers d’Art show, which took place earlier this month in an abandoned New York City Subway station. Several Chanel ambassadors and friends of the house were in attendance wearing looks from Blazy's freshman collection, including Ayo Edebiri and Emily Ratajkowski. Both turned to the dipped-toe shoes from the show, with Edebiri styling a white pair with a black toe alongside a black skirt suit, and Ratajkowski donning a black trouser-and-jacket set with oxblood accessories and beige-and-black dipped-toe shoes. Others, like Kristen Stewart and Alek Wek, also wore this shoe trend from Chanel.

As I mentioned, though, Chanel isn't the only brand leaning into the shrunken cap-toe look. Loro Piana's S/S 26 collection also featured the style, but in different, unique-to-them ways. The star of next year will be the flat slipper-like mules that come in luxurious satin-like shades, such as navy blue and chocolate brown. They're somehow both casual and high-end, making them perfect for both at-home use and elegant nights out. Another hit from the collection was the pair of pumps that feature elegant tortoiseshell block heels, a soft-brown colour, and a bright-white dipped-toe detail.

There's really only one problem, and it pops up after every great fashion season: None of the pieces you fell in love with on the runway are available—at least not yet. But since I'm not the most patient person in the world, I went on a hunt to find shoes that are available right now and fit the bill for this trend.

My findings did result in many tempting options, with the best version being Loro Piana's signature Rebecca flats. Though the brand makes more minimalist, one-colour options, the dipped-toe shoes are just as sought-after and chic, with unique fabrications, like tweed and suede. Saint Laurent, Christian Louboutin, and Manolo Blahnik are all offering their own options as well. Shop them all below.

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Shelving the quaint ballet flats so often linked with the heritage house, every New York It Girl in attendance slipped into a pair of high-vamp heels instead.

Adding height and polish to each look, these trending heels proved the perfect companion to the knee-length pencil skirts that dominated the guest list. Where a shallow, skin-baring pump might have felt delicate, these higher-cut silhouettes offered more coverage—and, in turn, more impact.

Echoing the power-dressing shapes that defined the ’80s, high-vamp heels bring a retro energy that pairs naturally with the nostalgic trends resurfacing right now, including the sleek, below-the-knee skirts seen throughout the evening.

More sculptural than the average pump and set to be one of the season’s most defining silhouettes, consider this your cue to make room for high-vamp heels in your own wardrobe. Read on to discover and shop the chicest pairs available now.

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“There's just something about watches that feel elevated in a way that other fashion items don't,” says Brynn Wallner, a watch expert, writer and founder of femme-forward resource Dime Piece.

Wallner is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to horology, providing everything from exclusive insights to leading industry events to dropping the names of the latest trending style to grace a celebrity’s wrist and translating the craftsmanship of these heritage pieces into a digestible, quippy and accessible language. Most of all, Wallner has the inside scoop on the luxury watches that are rising in popularity, selling the most and soon to be the item du jour, which means that you can count on her advice to steer you in the right direction when purchasing your first investment or simply adding to your collection.

And as a fashion writer at Who What Wear UK, this is something that especially resonates with me. Watches are set apart in the way that they are incredibly symbolic. Sure, they will keep you on track and mark the passage of time, but they’ll also serve as a permanent reminder to stay present and that true elegance is eternal. A luxury watch is something that, when chosen well, will serve you through all seasons of life, and there is truly no time like the present to start building an arsenal of your own.

As Waller so aptly puts it, “there's a lot of pressure on that one item to go with a lot of different outfits”. She continues: “Your watch needs to look just as cool when you’re going to the grocery store as it would be to a work cocktail event.” With so many watch brands on the market, from heavy hitters like Cartier to more contemporary and design-led fashion maisons like Chanel, it’s also hard to know where to begin. Allow this, then, to be your comprehensive guide to the best luxury watches for women. From the styles of note to professional advice and the factors to keep in mind when shopping, uncover everything you need to know about the 12 best luxury watches for women, ahead.

The 12 Best Luxury Watches for Women:

1. Cartier de Panthère

Style Notes: Sleek, feline and sinuous in shape, the Cartier de Panthère watch is one of the French house’s most iconic silhouettes. Created in 1983 by Michèle Kanoui, the design boasts a fluid bracelet that curves around the wearer’s wrist—much like the eponymous jungle cat the creation derives its name from—and a demure, mini square face. While its devotees include Princess Diana and Gwyneth Paltrow, the appetite for the piece has intensified in recent years, with the watch spotted everywhere from Kylie Jenner in Venice to Timothée Chalamet courtside at an NBA game. (Couples who share dress watches, stay together, right?). There's a reason why Cartier is so prevalent,” Wallner says, and that’s built on literal centuries of work, their famous clientele, their imagination, the way they position themselves and their prowess as both watchmaker and jewellery maker”. “They just know what they're doing,” she adds.

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2. Chanel Première

Style Notes: To know Chanel is to know their hallmarks—soft ribbons of leather that weave through a chain strap, candy-coloured woven tweed, a slingback that curves at the front and features a contrasting front cap. Of all the luxuriate’s signatures, however, it’s their watches that remain the most underrated. In 2022, Chanel proved just why their timepieces were amongst the most desirable with the release of the Première Édition. The watch was inspired by an original design from 1987 and paid homage to the brand’s most iconic motifs, with the octagon face calling back to the stopper perched on a bottle of No.5 perfume and straps evoking the braiding of the Flap bag. Now, Chanel is expanding their haute horlogerie category with a jewellery-forward iteration dubbed the Première Galon. A true cocktail watch, the style is accented by a gilded, twisted bangle that fuses sophistication with functionality. It’s already earning the endorsement of It girls, too, with Gracie Abrams, Devon Lee Carlson and Blackpink’s Jennie already wearing this style on repeat.

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3. Longines Mini DolceVita

Style Notes: Living life “la dolce vita” might be a calling card for those looking to emulate the serenity and sweetness of the azure Mediterranean, but for luxury Swiss watchmaker Longines, the phrase takes on a different meaning. The brand’s Mini DolceVita watch is a rectangular shape marked with a silver "flinqué" and blue steel hands. An extension of the original style which was first released in the 1920s, hence its similarity to the Cartier Tank, the piece is considerably more elegant than the average everyday watch, yet is still perfect for quotidian affairs. Of course, if you take cues from the watch’s starry wearers like Audrey Hepburn, Kate Winslet and Jennifer Lawrence, these everyday activities include galavanting down the Boulevard de la Croisette for the annual Cannes Film Festival. A life well lived, indeed.

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4. Bulgari Serpenti

Style Notes: Historically, snakes have always served as an object of temptation. Fitting then, that Bulgari’s iconic Serpenti watch is such a coveted fixture within luxury spheres. The piece first rose to prominence in 1962 when the original showgirl, Elizabeth Taylor, wore it while filming Cleopatra in the Italian capital. (An incredibly apt appearance given Bulgari’s Roman roots.) Watches truly don’t get more decadent than this, especially when you consider the Tubogas—the most recognisable style in the Serpenti family—and its spiral band that winds up the forearm or cabochon cut pink rubellite crown. More discrete dressers can also enjoy this iconic motif with the Seduttori, a timepiece that incorporates a python print through the form of tessellating stainless steel, rose gold or yellow gold scales.

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5. Rolex Lady Datejust

Style Notes: When you think of luxury watches, Rolex is likely the first name that springs to mind. That was the case for Wallner, too. “Watch brands kind of missed me in their marketing, and when I say me, I mean someone who is representative of a millennial woman with a good job and disposable income,” she said. “I didn't have any context or know about watches at all, and the only watch brand I knew was Rolex.” Now, as a certified expert on the topic, Wallner still cites Rolex as one of the most prolific luxury watch brands in the world. However, of all the watch styles Rolex has forged over its century in operation, it’s the Datejust that Wallner recommends the most. Not only is it the Geneva-based watch brand’s highest-selling model, as Wallner tells me, but the one she personally sees the most of chic dressers. (Which is saying a lot, considering how many watch aficionados and professionals she interacts with on a daily basis!) Oh, and did I mention that Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Aniston, Rihanna and Carmela Soprano? Talk about a powerhouse line-up.

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6. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

Style Notes: There are certain luxury brands that aren’t typified by an ostentatious logo, but rather recognised through a specific stitch, diminutive thread or strategic fabric choice. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is one such example of this in the watch world, with a captivating octagonal case, grid-esque grande tapisserie dial and a folding bracelet subtle indicators that identify the piece to eagle-eye enthusiasts. On the contrary, AP is also a house that doesn’t hesitate to flex its horological finesse, either. “Iced out”, as Wallner describes it, versions of the Royal Oak are becoming increasingly popular, with some styles dripping in brilliant-cut diamonds and set in an 18-carat white gold case. "There is the quiet luxury element, but there also is like the flashy element, too," Wallner says. "We saw Aryna Sabalenka, who is an AP brand ambassador, wearing her big rose gold Royal Oak with the diamonds on it after she won the US Open. That is not a subtle watch, it's flashy and has ‘wow’ factor." Perennial tastemaker, Hailey Bieber, also has both iterations and wears them regularly, proving how a watch really does help set the mood. "I feel like there is the more subtle way of wearing a watch, but there's also the flex way and we're seeing both," Wallner adds. "We're seeing women flex in the way that men have historically, especially when they're like on their like next level of collecting."

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7. Patek Philippe Nautilus

Style Notes: A watch that has Beyoncé waxing lyrical about it on a song is enough to have us sit straight up and pay attention. But it’s safe to say that the Patek Philippe Nautilus doesn’t require much to pique our interest. Just look at it! Launched in 1976 as an elegant sports watch for maritime pursuits, the porthole shape has served as the ideal canvas to showcase the bounds of high-end Swiss watchmaking. A bezel encrusted with spessartite baguettes that create a halo of gemstones ranging from deep cognac to light champagne? Of course, that’s possible! How about a full gem-set finish with 2,364 brilliant-cut internally flawless diamonds placed in a wave pattern across the dial? Consider it done. These pieces are so coveted that there’s even a waitlist that spans half a decade at minimum in order to purchase one. Funny how time flies…

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8. Omega Constellation

Style Notes: If timepieces were measured on the chicness of their ambassadors alone, Omega would certainly be leading the charge. With endorsements from every corner of the entertainment world, Omega’s lineup includes Hollywood dynasties like supermodel mother-daughter duo Cindy Crawford and Kaia Gerber, Australian actress Nicole Kidman and her nascent model scion Sunday Rose and the formidable former James Bond, Daniel Craig. This starry group is becoming for the brand that brought us the Constellation, a watch that features slender curves, graceful claws and a dial that’s marked by a mother-of-pearl face and diamonds that delineate the hour.

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9. Tissot SRV

Style Notes: Tissot was born in the heart of Swiss horology—a region regarded and renowned as the best in the business. With an origin story like that, it’s truly destiny that they should be revered for creating one of the best luxury watches for women. Of all the designs to choose from and covet, it’s the SRV. Inspired by Art Deco design, the face subverts the classic eight-sided convention by elongating the structure with a sleek and geometric lens.

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10. IWC Schaffhausen Portofino

Style Notes: The turquoise harbour, pastel houses and sprawling hillside of Portofino, a quieter coastal enclave tucked in along the Italian Riviera, is a place that’s ripe to be mined for inspiration. IWC Schaffhausen did exactly that, choosing the jet-set destination as the name for one of their most recognisable shapes. Inspired by a pocket watch, this design features a larger watch face for a more imposing and dominant design that evokes the essence of styles popular in the late 20th Century. “These larger styles trickled down from ‘90s supermodels wearing these big Rolex Daytonas and inverting the gender norms and labels associated with watches,” explains Wallner. “It's cool for a woman to wear a big man's watch, like a sports watch, a chronograph or a diver watch, and challenge what's being sold to them.”

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11. Hermès Cut

Style Notes: Hermès can be viewed as a barometer of what’s in taste. Poetic and refined, but never sombre or austere, the brand is the pinnacle of what it means to be a modern, luxury fashion house. And while the leather goods like the Hermès Birkin or Kelly often steal the spotlight, Wallner has put me onto their watches. “I love what Hermès is doing, I think their watch programme is amazing,” she says. They released the Cut watch two years ago, which was a sports watch designed for women with an automatic movement, which is just like androgynous and cool,” she adds.

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12. Longines Master Collection

Style Notes: Horology is the craft of making timekeeping instruments, and there is no style that's more masterful in this pursuit than the Longines Master Collection. First introduced more than 20 years ago, the range has been completely revitalised to suit the more cosmopolitan and contemporary tastes of this decade. An incarnation of elegance, this watch sits slightly larger on the wrist and features a clean, sleek design that harkens back to the discerning minimalism of the '90s.

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What Luxury Watches are Trending for Women?

Now that you’re familiar with the precise best luxury watches for women, it’s high time we discuss the specific trends that are currently dominating. The most apparent is the rise in the cocktail watch. These styles are more minute and double as a piece of bijoux. (Think: Cartier Baignoire and Tiffany HardWear.)

As the name suggests, these designs are more suited towards early evening soirées and pair perfectly with a chilled dirty martini or opera glove. Delicate in nature and evoking the essence of high jewellery, these are styles that are considerably more dramatic when compared to slightly larger and softer shapes. Yet at a time where purveyors of the arts and trips to cultural institutions like ballets, galleries, galas and theatres are dwindling, these delicate pieces are actually resonating outside of these arenas.

In fact, smaller watches, like the Cartier Santos Dumont, which Taylor Swift wore during her engagement to Travis Kelce, are on the rise and speak to a trend of practicality over pompousness. Speaking to me about her first investment watch, the Cartier Tank Francaise, Wallner tells me that she gravitated towards this style because of its ease of wear and versatility. “I wanted something daintier that I could stack and would go with every outfit without being such a statement, especially for my first watch,” she says. “I think that this new wave of female enthusiasts are oftentimes looking for their first watch, and I think it's just a safer bet not to buy a huge one.”

“We are seeing a rise in more jewellery-forward pieces; gem sets, cocktail watches, for instance,” she continues. “If you can't afford the high jewellery or the iced-out watch, it is an exciting category to look at on the secondary market because, for a long time, those watches have been really undervalued.

“Part of the reason why we've been seeing a rise in small watches for men and women is because they're kind of different from what's on the primary market, so you see people going to thrift stores and scouring The Real Real to find these really edgy and individualistic pieces.

"If you open your mind and your heart to more creative, design-forward pieces, and if you have the patience to really look online, there are deals to be had."

What to Consider When Buying a Luxury Watch?

When it comes to actually making your first luxury watch purchase, it can often feel like you’re weighed down by decision fatigue, which isn’t the most ideal mindset to be in when making a decision that will set you back hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Therefore, it’s imperative that you factor every element in—metal, size, weight, quality, heritage, everything!

“You should also think about what metal you wear. If you’re more of a white metal person, you would go with steel or yellow gold,” Wallner says. “Size does factor in, too,” she continues. “It might be nice to buy a really, really huge watch, but practically, you should consider how it sits on your wrist. You want to buy something that feels comfortable, so you need to strike the right balance. I always tell people to just stay within their means and not like go crazy."

What are the Best Brands for Luxury Women's Watches?

When it comes to luxury watches, it’s really important to note that the best brands are the best simply because of the history and legacy that supports their creations. The crux of the industry are the Swiss majors, including Rolex, Omega, Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe.

Cartier and Bulgari are also incredible names, but they have made a name for themselves for the way they combine their jewellery knowledge with innovative horological practices. To me, however, the most exciting brands are the disruptive fashion maisons that are emerging as worthy contenders. Applying the craftsmanship of their ateliers to this category, these are brands who are shaking things up and ensuring the more established labels stay nimble and competitive, which in turn delivers the most impactful and original devices. Wallner agrees with me, citing Louis Vuitton as an example of a maison that is doing this well. “It’s really exciting because it's introducing new players as more creative and design-minded fashion houses start taking their watch programmes seriously”

“I think it's opening the eyes of more standard and heritage watch brands,” she adds. “It's just kind of like a cradle of innovation going on, and it's not just innovation focused on the movement and what's inside, but also design coming from the expertise of the fashion houses. I think it's bringing more women, too, because fashion brands get women. The customer base is already there, they're already switched on and engaged.”