Early autumn is perhaps my favourite time of year, not least of all because it affords me the opportunity to embrace my long-time favourite accessory: tights. And, stocking me up on styling inspiration, I can see that Kate Moss is as pleased as I am, stepping out amid the maelstrom of New York Fashion Week events in a semi-sheer pair styled with an LBD. Where I typically pair my 15-deniers with knee-high boots or at least a pointed-toe heel, Kate sidestepped both, instead stepping into a pair of flat, French-looking shoes I would have assumed wouldn't work. Trust Kate to prove me wrong.

Selecting a pair of black ballet flats, Kate crafted a look that would have been just as at home on the streets of Paris. Practical enough for trotting up the city, the simple flats lent her outfit an elegant foundation, which she accessorised into a totally sophisticated look.

With their totally flat silhouette, I'd always assumed that a ballet flat-and-tights pairing would cut the leg off, shortening the frame, but I must admit that Kate's look does anything but. Perhaps it's the tonal black shades of the tights and shoes, which create one sleek, fluid line that then flows seamlessly into her LBD for a cohesive, elongated look.

Wrapped up in a cream jacket and topped with a pair of oversized sunglasses, Kate kept her styling uncomplicated and chic. At last confirming that my tights can look just as chic with a minidress and ballet flats as they do with any heeled boot, I'm ready to take this styling inspiration to the ground. If you're feeling similarly inspired, I think I've just found my new favourite early-autumn pairing.

Shop Tights and Ballet Flats:

As sycophantic as this sounds, I am somewhat of a self-confessed Olsen Twins-style historian. Off the cuff, I could prattle on about how Mary-Kate pioneered the indie sleaze aesthetic with her beat up Hermès Birkins or wax lyrical about how Ashley loaned genuine archival gowns from the 1920s to Baz Luhrmann for his film adaption of The Great Gatsby.

Indeed, everytime there is a sighting of the duo, I can’t help but analyse every element of their outfit and chronicle it in my own sartorial annals. So, when the pair made an ultra sighting in Manhattan overnight, I couldn’t help but narrow in on the unexpected shoe choice Mary-Kate wore for the outing. Stepping out ahead of New York Fashion Week, the designer cut a casual figure in a pair of trainers.

No, your eyes don’t deceive you. Despite The Row being the patron saint of quiet luxury, Mary-Kate has proved that even members of fashion’s upper echelon aren’t immune to the allure of a pair of humble sneakers. Of course, given the fact that it is an Olsen Twin that we’re discussing, we shouldn’t assume that her shoes would be anything but extraordinary.

Though trainers have garnered quite the cultural cachet through collaborations like Nike x Jacquemus and Adidas x Wales Bonner, Mary-Kate’s pair is actually a true holy grail for sneakerheads and collectors alike. With contrasting trimming and Western-style elements, the pair can be traced back to a partnership Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto completed with Adidas in 2002.

Appearing in pristine condition, I can’t help but wonder whether Mary-Kate bought these two decades ago when she was a student in NYU and has held onto them since then, or found an impeccable steal on the resale market. Either way, they obviously piqued my interest.

Mary-Kate continued her off-duty ease with a pair of raw-hem long shorts and a classic white T-shirt. On her arm, she carried a ludicrously capacious crocodile-embossed bag and a pair of jeans. If only I could get an ID on those. Ahead, shop Mary-Kate-approved trainers to add into your own autumn wardrobe.

Shop Mary-Kate Olsen's Trainers:

If you want my personal opinion, animal print is a neutral. While I realise this sentiment alone might be enough to send any pared-back dresser into orbit, as a seasoned fashion editor I assure you, my reasoning is sound. Animal prints, after all, are built on some of the most versatile and transitional hues within any savvy dresser's wardrobe. Whether it's the classic shades of camel within leopard, or the inky blacks and creamy ecru of zebra, these foundational shades make animal motifs far easier to wear than their reputation might suggest.

But, as we know, in 2026 there's a new style syllabus. And that means the way we’re wearing animal print has shifted, too. The prints themselves are going nowhere—but the styling rules? Consider them completely rewritten.

Take Kylie Jenner, who recently made a case for the leopard bustier-bikini from her Frankies Bikinis collaboration, or Hailey Biebe, whose rotation of vintage Roberto Cavalli slips, trousers and mules has offered a masterclass in modern maximalism. And, lest we forget the numerous printed mules, peep-toes, trainers and accessories making their presence felt across the street style set this year. As long as it's styled well, just about any print goes.

Below, I've curated a guide of sorts, explaining each of the "new" rules and how to make animal print feel fresher and more impactful this autumn. So what are you waiting for? Scroll to see now.

How to Wear Animal Print in a 2026 Way This Autumn:

1. Accents

Style Notes: Arguably the most popular way to wear animal print this year is with a playful touch of print. Uplifting even the most pared-back of outfits with a dopamine-inducing energy, zebra, snake print, deer and leopard have all been making an appearance in much the same way. Take Kiana's look [pictured above], as an example. Her easy tank top and tiered skirt are the classic pieces we know and love, but the hit of zebra gives the outfit a cooler, more directional finish.

Shop the Look:

2. Mix and Match

Style Notes: This autumn, more definitely means more—which means that layered prints could be the new normal. Packing the same punch as the colour-blocking trend we’ve been following for seasons, animal print feels more intentional when mixed, matched and styled together. This autumn, I’ll be taking styling cues from Ana [pictured above], and using a printed skirt alongside clashing boots to truly pack a punch. Proving, if in doubt—double down.

Shop the Look:

3. Coming in Colour

Style Notes: If you’re looking for a way to make this summer’s punchy shades transition into autumn, animal print is an easy place to start. Whilst Elsie Matilda's statement skirt [pictured above] would look just as chic with a fitted black top and ballet flats, it's the vibrant shade of aquamarine that really takes the skirt to the next level. The unexpected hit of colour creates a statement-making combination that demands attention. And what prey tell is better than that?

Shop the Look:

4. All in One

Style Notes: While we loved animal-print jeans and adored plush fur jackets last autumn, this time around we’re taking things one step further with an all-in-one look. Statement-making by nature, an animal-print dress is the ultimate throw-on-and-go-piece—the kind of style that lets you treat the streets of London like the runways of Fashion Week, with very little styling required. Take cues from Andra Steen [pictured above] and keep your accessories minimal; you want to allow your dress to do all the talking.

Shop the Look:

5. Minimalist Magic

Style Notes: If you’re a pared-back dresser and wondering how to make animal print work for you, allow me to steer you in the direction of this polished look by Monikh [pictured above]. Using her embossed croc clutch to add texture to a casual look, her decision to choose a black bag means that the rest of her look isn't overpowered. This is how you do animal print in a minimalist way.

Shop the Look:

Whilst fundamental pieces like loafers and boots command our attention come autumn, I'd argue that the foundation of layering season really begins with shirt trends. With the right shirt as your base, you have the confidence to carry on building a look, incorporating leather jackets or denim jeans, throwing on a cosy autumn knit or committing to experimenting with one of autumn's microtrends.

You won't be scrounging for ideas either as there are six shirts already shaping up to be the biggest trends of 2026. Basics that trended during summer, like raglan tees and sleeveless turtlenecks, are morphing into autumn-ready styles, balancing both casual appearances and sleeker aesthetics. Consider the perfectly-cuffed tuxedo button-downs that serve as an elevated take on the white shirts usually pulled out for autumn. Or think about wearing the celebrity-backed satin shirt trend as a starting point for constructing a look that's either timeless and ready for nights out or something that references trends from decades ago—perfect for '90s autumn outfits.

You'll notice a few revitalised classics, too, and trends continuing on from earlier seasons. Striped shirts have returned in various new colour combinations and stripe widths. Broderie anglaise shirts are shifting to work for shorter days and extra layers. Versatile can be said for all six. Whether it's a soft plaid flannel or a shimmering silk number, you can style them with the season's denim trends or dress them up with autumn skirts or dresses. And regardless of how you define your personal style, there is a shirt here that will effortlessly blend in with the capsule you've already curated.

Ready to get your autumn wardrobe in order? Scroll on for six shirt trends that'll transition your outfits just in time.

6 Shirt Trends to Wear for Autumn 2026

1. Frog-Fastening

Style Notes: Uncovering the best shirt trends for autumn and winter isn't necessarily about fully reinventing the shirt. It's about subtle changes in details that are enough to make a garment feel renewed. One such example of this is the trending frog-fastening jackets and shirts this season. The knotted structure of the toggle is enough to give your outfits a wholly new aesthetic that looks leagues different from your classic white button-downs. Pair it with capris and cotton poplin trousers as we wind down from summer and swap those for wool trousers and jeans once autumn settles in.

Shop the Trend:

2. Striped Shirts

Style Notes: Stripes never lose their appeal, and with this summer's striped top trend, it's no surprise that autumn is seeing its own rendition. You have much to choose from this autumn, whether you prefer a subtle pinstripe, contrasting stripe colours or thick multicoloured stripes. Striped shirts are a more vibrant option than those in all the same shade, yet they still provide the same structure and polish to your wardrobe. Wear one open over a vest or button it and tuck it in. They're great worn with jeans but look elevated with a maxi skirt or silk trousers, too.

Shop the Trend:

3. Satin Shirts

Style Notes: You're likely aware that '90s fashion has had a renaissance in the last year or two, and these looks are firmly rooted in place as we move into cooler seasons. For autumn, this is coming by way of silk shirts, especially those that hark back to Tom Ford's sultry, slinky shirts found on Gucci's 1995 runway and worn by Madonna to the VMAs the same year. But if Madonna's silk blue shirt is a touch too bold for your tastes, an ivory hue, a minimalist black or a subtle beige tone are all suitable alternatives. Body-hugging options look sleek with leather trousers and midi skirts, or you can try a more relaxed silhouette with bell sleeves over top of silk trousers.

Shop the Trend:

4. Tuxedo Shirts

Style Notes: I've never enjoyed the term "borrowed from the boys," but tuxedo shirts are one instance where I'll accept the phrase in thanks to Matthieu Blazy and Gabrielle Chanel. This style actually emerged last year at Blazy's debut Chanel show—a polished, bib-style Charvet shirt— and it's particularly cool since it's a nod to none other than Chanel's first instance of taking inspiration from menswears. Tuxedo shirts, too, have ample options for in-between-season dressing, whether you like the sharp collar and pearl buttons of Chanel's versions, enjoy a tie or frills or like the look of layering two crisp tuxedo shirts for an intriguing finish. Though white button-downs feel clean and sophisticated, this shirt takes that a step further.

Shop the Trend:

5. Plaid Shirts

Style Notes: As synonymous with autumn as pumpkin-flavoured everything and leather boots, flannel shirts have once again entered the chat. They're reminiscent of '90s Americana and usually made of soft flannel or breathable cotton, there's an option depending on whether the weather is unseasonably warm or too chilly. You'll find an enormous number of plaid patterns, prints and colours to select from as well. Though they can be worn like any other button-down, plaid shirts also look chic when tied around your waist or even over the outside of a trench coat for an interesting touch that brings more colour (and warmth) to your outfit.

Shop the Trend:

6. Broderie Anglaise Shirts

Style Notes: In line with the continuing boho trend, broderie anglaise shirts are staying put and making bohemian autumn dressing all the simpler to achieve. Rather than summer's sleeveless styles, autumn is getting longer sleeves, extra ruffles and plenty more eyelets. During seasons where we're covered with layers and thick coats and jumpers, lace and embroidery bring a softness to our outfits. It's a romantic detail and is the basis for fully embracing this free-spirited trend or simply adding a small touch of boho to your current wardrobe.

Shop the Trend:

Chani Ra is a Who What Wear UK Editor in Residence and London-based fashion commentator at her social channel The Fashion Nap, which covers show reports, trend commentary and both current and archival industry analysis on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. As well as speaking as an expert on panels, she also often interviews industry leaders and experts on her platform. This month, she sat down with fashion designer Emma Rowen Rose to hear about her personal style DNA and the inspiration behind her upcoming collections.

EMMA ROWEN ROSE ON HER INSPIRATION AND ROWEN ROSE'S STYLE DNA

If there’s one thing fashion in the 2020s will be remembered for, it will be the trend cycle reaching maximum speed. With the roll of a dice (or the scroll of your feed), you can unlock an endless stream of "girls" and "cores" linked to very specific aesthetics. Whilst trends are fun and a great way to try new looks, have you ever thought about where they come from, who the early adopters were and what happens to the brands whose design DNA hits the mainstream big time? Does the newfound attention change their design process? Are they scared about what comes next?

Over the past couple of summers, we've seen an influx of polka dots, vintage cuts and '80s flair, with Doja Cat serving as the ringleader. Power shoulders on Hailey Bieber and capris and kitten heels on Zoë Kravitz took on a life of their own, leaving their stylists (Dani Michelle and Danielle Goldberg, respectively) in high demand. As these trending pieces have grown ever more popular, one brand keeps springing to my mind: Rowen Rose.

Launching her namesake label in 2019, Emma Rowen Rose has become known for dreaming up collections full of structural, '80s-style silhouettes, tongue-in-cheek irony and a strong sense of femininity. The decisive and firm brand DNA also seeps into her own style, which serves as the ultimate inspo for how to style and live in her pieces. As we witness the Rowen Rose look become the look, I wanted to go to the source to decipher what sets apart a leader from a follower.

A Q&A WITH EMMA ROWEN ROSE

Emma joined our call from her Paris office, as elegant as you’d expect in a black, wide-shouldered blazer with her auburn hair pulled back to reveal spherical gold earrings and a vibrant glow of blush on her cheeks. I suddenly regretted not ironing my cardigan, quietly hoping the creases were reading as a Prada autumn/winter 2023 frazzled intellectual moment.

Chani Ra: Your designs influence so many people. What makes you feel inspired?

Emma Rowen Rose: "I've always grabbed inspiration from paintings and poetry because I'm a big literature fan. I'm really into poetry; it's a medium that condenses beauty into literature. I start with a concept and then start researching, reading and watching movies. I'm working on the new collection now, and the concept is how we create icons."

CR: Do you find you're repeatedly drawn to a certain type of character?

ERR: "I think there's a pattern of ambivalence. That's why movies fascinate me: not the costumes but the complexity of the character and the contradictions, because I don't think people are that linear. The last collection was about the contradiction of a strong softness, and I think that it's my way to try to make fashion interesting. I try not to make it easily describable in one word."

CR: So often, designers try to be understood by a definitive vision, but you’re steering away from that.

ERR: "I wouldn't like someone to say that the brand is just "feminine". I don't think it describes the brand well enough. Even if we talk about textures, I don't want to have a collection that is just about fluidity. I try to balance it with something rigid."

CR: We don't want to be one thing all the time; we have different moods, ideas and occasions. Were you influenced to make clothes because of your own struggle over what to wear?

ERR:"It's a product I love by consequence because the brand is so personal and so truthful to what I love. I didn't plan for our best-seller to be a polo dress, for example. Sometimes you adapt to the market. My fascination for vintage dressing or for the '80s definitely influenced the brand."

CR: We have seen an '80s resurgence over the last few seasons. How do you set yourself apart, especially as someone who has been working with these silhouettes from the start?

ERR: "I try not to get inspiration from costumes or from existing fashion because, for me, it makes no sense: if you can find something similar in a vintage store, why would you buy it from us? I think we still have to bring something new to the table; otherwise, why should we create another brand? There are so many brands already and so many products around."

CR: What is it like when your authentic style becomes a huge trend, and how does that affect how you design?

ERR: "I think [this question] is super interesting because I never saw it like that, but it's so on point. The brand has evolved a lot, but the DNA has stayed consistent. Even when there was the rise of 'quiet luxury' around 2020, we were totally counter-trend; I remember being like, 'Oh my god, people don't want flamboyant, colourful dressing! They're looking for The Row and Lemaire, a navy sweater and black pants. How am I going to fit into that?'

"The truth is, you're either on trend or you’re not. My mentality is to stay truthful to what the brand is. So, if it's on trend, maybe it's a lucky moment, and if it's not, stick to your thing. The brands I respect and admire the most are the ones that stay standing on their own two feet. I think it's great that [our style] has become a little bit more popular to widen people's mindsets. That's a really beautiful thing. But I don't think it will change us."

CR: If you survived quiet luxury, then I think you’ll be fine!

ERR: "I believe [Karl Lagerfeld] said, 'Trendy is the last stage before tacky'. Being on trend can be great because you can surf on success, but you can’t become tacky or obsolete as soon as the trend goes down. I think it's more interesting to bring people to our universe. You see, we're seeing this happen today with the celebrities we dress; you wouldn't say, per se, that Cardi B would be a Rowen Rose girl because she's not known for that style, and yet she's been wearing our brand the most in those past months and embodying it, becoming that Rowen Rose character to perfection.

"I feel, as brands, we need to be spaces where people can come and grab what they want. But I don’t think [brands] should follow trends or feel at ease with the trend."

CR: In your S/S 27 show notes for your collection "The Secret Garden", there was a line about turning softness into power. How was that sentiment expressed through the clothing?

ERR: "It was the first time I was exploring pastels in a very long time. I used pastel yellows and lilacs, so it was my first time coming back to this palette [since the first collection]. We're considered a very feminine brand because we're not "masculine" in an obvious way. But we think we have a powerful femininity. I was worried that if we did pastels plus feminine silhouettes, the collection was going to look girly; too soft and fragile in a way, so I needed to find a way to compensate for this.

"I looked at a lot of herbariums, and this is why I integrated some stronger prunes and navy blues to contrast the pastels. In flowers, you have a light-pink rose that becomes darker pink around the edges. I was like, 'Okay, so this is how we can make it more interesting.' We also did this by adding leather and tailoring."

CR: Beyoncé was a customer of yours before being dressed in Rowen Rose by a stylist, and has since repeatedly been styled in your pieces. How does that feel?

ERR: "For me, it was like, if you dress Beyoncé, what else can you do? Who else can you dress? So dressing her in 2020 was definitely a milestone. We've now dressed her multiple times, so it's an honour. This was definitely one of the big wins early on, knowing my customer was f—ing Beyoncé!"

SHOP ROWEN ROSE

A steady shift is occurring, guiding us gently into the autumn months. Whilst there may be an unpredictably hot day here or there, the first days of the new month have given us a preview of cooler temperatures, grey skies and the soft September breeze. In turn, it's time to pack away our lightest dresses and trusted sandals, swapping them out for our reliable autumn buys. In the midst of setting aside my swimwear and shorts, I brought my cold-weather staples out of storage and figured now was the best time to share with you the most worthwhile autumn trends that you'll unbox every single year.

As a shopping editor with almost a decade of experience, I've watched plenty of trend cycles come and go. That's not to say they weren't fun while they lasted, but it means I've had a front-row view of the pieces that have withstood it all. As we welcome back the styling possibilities that come with layering and adjust our colour palettes to suit the new mood, autumn feels like the perfect time to get our capsule wardrobes in order and decipher the smart buys of the season. Now, I've done the hard work for you.

With shifting temperatures, the return of light showers and leaf-clad streets, practicality is just as important as form for the coming months. Heading into autumn, it's the most hardworking styles that become the key pieces of the season. Think the Burberry trench coat, a long-term staple in so many great wardrobes as it blends style and substance, or the return of spacious tote bags as our everyday essentials expand to include an umbrella, a soft scarf and sunglasses, as the British weather can often show the full extent of its capabilities in a single day. The days of slipping on open-toed shoes are mostly left behind us, as loafers, ballet flats and boots bring a sturdier finish to autumnal strolls.

In curating this edit of the best luxury autumn buys, I wanted to bring together a series of proven icons as well as new arrivals that have all the markers of a timeless buy and are sure to prove themselves over the coming years. You'll find well-known It buys like Agolde's Pinch Waist jeans and Toteme's summer jacket alongside recent arrivals from The Row and Róhe, which are already making their way into the chicest wardrobes around. With a focus on enduring design, high-quality compositions and intricate construction, these pieces will bring a luxurious edge to autumn dressing, even if just one or two pieces are paired with more affordable buys.

Scroll on to explore the best luxury fashion items for autumn 2026.

Shop the 19 Best Luxury Fashion Items for Autumn 2026

There are certain dress trends that come back every summer like clockwork—white cotton dresses, slinky slips, breezy maxis—but this year, fashion people have made room for something a little sweeter. Enter the babydoll dress. After having a major moment this spring and early summer, the playful, slightly nostalgic silhouette is sticking around for late summer, and frankly, it might be one of the easiest dresses to wear right now.

It makes sense that the style has found fans across both Gen Z and millennials. With its flirty hemline, floaty shape, and decidedly ’60s-meets-’90s energy, the babydoll dress feels fun without requiring much actual styling. Throw one on with ballet flats and a shoulder bag for something polished, or add flip-flops and sunglasses when it’s simply too hot to think about an outfit. Unlike some of summer’s more fleeting dress trends, this one has plenty of mileage left once temperatures start to drop. Come fall, add knee-high boots and layer a chunky cardigan or oversized sweater on top, and suddenly your summery mini has an entirely different personality.

That endless styling potential is exactly what makes the babydoll dress worth paying attention to now. Keep scrolling to see how fashion people are wearing babydoll dresses now, then shop the best styles to carry you from the final hot days of summer straight into fall.

On Olivia Rodrigo

On the Style Set

Shop Babydoll Dresses

Sleeveless Babydoll Dress

Short Sleeve Babydoll Dresses

Two marvellous things are occurring: autumn has hit New York, and New York Fashion Week is finally in full swing. Which means that the style in the city has just got really, really good. Stepping out for the Ralph Lauren runway show in New York this week, a swarm of stylish celebrities descended on the front row in autumn 2026’s chicest offerings. From the jacket trends draped over the shoulders of the best-dressed spectators to the new-season shoes tempting me away from my loafers, these are the three autumn trends New Yorkers are backing right now.

3 Chic Autumn Trends New Yorkers are Wearing Now

1. Suede Fringing

Style Notes: The advent of autumn is one of my favourite times of year, not least because suede finally gets the wardrobe recognition it deserves. This year, though, the suede offering is feeling particularly compelling, with playful fringing adding movement and texture to the season’s chicest jackets. Spotted on Devon Lee Carlson outside the Ralph Lauren runway show, the model layered hers over a simple top and paired it with bootcut jeans and heeled boots, creating an autumn-ready look I’d gladly borrow for the rest of the season.

Shop Suede Fringing:

2. Lace-Up Boots

Style Notes: No need to pull out your Chelsea boots just yet. This season, the chicest dressers I’ve come across are swapping their usual pairs for something a little witchier. Often finished with a sharp pointed toe and extending up the calf or even to the knee, lace-up boots are bringing a distinctly cooler energy to autumn outfits. Worn tucked into voluminous trousers, they create an elevated silhouette, but they’d work just as well with a swishy skirt for a more overtly witchy look.

Shop Lace-Up Boots:

3. Band Jackets

Style Notes: Where broad-shouldered blazers once dominated fashion circles, this autumn/winter, fashion people are making space for a whole host of fresh jacket trends. My favourite? The band jacket. Building on the Napoleon jacket trend that’s been swirling around the fashion world for the past few seasons, these orchestra-worthy layers are finally taking their due place in the spotlight. Worn with jeans, they add immediate interest, but styled with tonal trousers, they offer one of the chicest takes on tailoring around.

Shop Band Jackets:

There hasn’t been this much talk about skirts in the cultural zeitgeist since Mary Quant emancipated the mods of King’s Road all those years ago. But don’t call this a new youthquake just yet, with the leading skirt trends prevailing this autumn taking a more secretarial format. Still, they aren’t immune from making a statement.

From Chanel’s drop-waist jersey styles to Calvin Klein’s CBK-esque pencil shapes, these are pieces that act as a proverbial blank canvas for designers to decorate to their heart’s content. Whether it's Matthieu Blazy realising them in chintzy tweed or Miuccia Prada embroidering them with sequin paillettes, skirts are serving as the ultimate form of creative expression. (As Prada herself said about party skirts, “The skirt is like a T-shirt, so I put all my ideas there.”)

This season, however, it’s not just simply about adding high-octane feathers or decorative embellishments. Indeed, the most dominant trend on the recent autumn/winter 2026 runways was none other than patterned skirts. This ran the gamut from Versace’s face skirt, which featured Andy Warhol-inspired screen prints of famous figures like Bianca Jagger and Grace Jones, to Ralph Lauren’s new frontier landscapes and Dries Van Noten’s patchwork styles comprised of perennially coordinated chaos.

These skirts do more than propose you take a short break from jeans this season or encourage you to rethink how you style your basics. Instead, they prove that prints do far more than any colour or frill could ever do in making an impact. Better still, these printed skirt trends ask us to embrace our inner printmaxxers, styling them up with more magpie items like zebra-printed boots and vintage band tees.

As for investing in the trend? That’s the easy part. From brands like London wunderkind Ashley Williams and New York phenomenon Tyler McGillivary backing the trend—not to mention labels like Evil Girl Collective making pieces like a Freudian Slip with, you guessed it, Sigmund Freud’s face plastered on it—there’s so many styles to covet. Scroll through to see the key printed skirt trends of autumn 2026.

The 5 Key Printed Skirt Trends for Autumn 2026

1. Faces

Style Notes: Who needs a collection from the Gagosian when you could walk around looking like the National Portrait Gallery? Fashion’s chicest dressers like their art wearable, swinging from their hips instead of hanging on their walls. Versace’s face skirts are the most ubiquitous version of this trend and will go down in history as a collector’s item from Dario Vitale’s first and only collection as creative director. But the Chanel midi from Matthieu Blazy’s debut Manhattan-inspired Métiers d'art collection, which features riffs on the movie poster for the 1931 film Tonight or Never, is also an incredibly covetable option.

Shop the Trend:

2. Patchwork

Style Notes: Quiet luxury had a great run, but there’s no further proof that this once-beloved way of dressing has been put out to pasture than in the patchwork skirt trend. This print will speak to anyone who suffers from decision fatigue—hello, Libras with executive dysfunction—as you don’t have to choose from a myriad of different patterns. By embracing different textures and tones, as Dries Van Noten has throughout his entire career, you’re left with something that’s a pastiche of clashing textiles, fabrics and colours.

Shop the Trend:

3. Florals

Style Notes: Florals have had quite the enigmatic rebrand this year, as fashion people ditch ditsy prints in favour of something a little more mature. From the Claude Monet-esque watercolour botanicals spotted in Jonathan Anderson’s latest creations for Dior, to the chinoiserie-style flowers stitched onto Conner Ives-inspired fur-trim jackets, this motif is once again in bloom. For autumn, things take a slightly vampy turn, either rendered in a more seasonally appropriate colour palette of rich siennas and burnt umbers or blown up into exaggerated proportions that nod to the falling leaves and wilting blossoms.

Shop the Trend:

4. Polka-Dots

Style Notes: For those who have taken quite a liking to the Sloane Ranger styles of hit television programs like Rivals and The Gentlemen, the news that polka-dots are still trending for autumn should be enough to help you hold out until the next season of both shows. A staple in the wardrobes of the Princess of Wales, both Kate and Diana, this trend is inherently elegant with posh and feminine undertones that make it hard to dispute its appeal. And with options available to shop from Valentino to Khaite and Jacquemus, it seems that the well-heeled women across every style capital think the same.

Shop the Trend:

5. Checks

Style Notes: The Scots amongst us will be rolling their eyes at the fact that kilt-inspired checked skirts make an appearance every winter, but there is no denying their popularity. At Acne, they took a preppy tone with schoolyard blues and pleats through the leg. At Louis Vuitton, they feature as textured minis with mirror embellishments. At Chanel, they were rendered in glitzy chainmail made for evenings out.

Shop the Trend:

If you've been daydreaming about your autumn wardrobe since July, you're not alone. Layering season is slowly creeping up on us, and if there's one piece with the power to transform an entire outfit, it's a great autumn jacket. Luckily, three high-street brands are particularly good at them right now: Zara, H&M and COS.

Between them, they've covered practically every jacket trend worth knowing about this season. There are timeless cropped trenches and elegant scarf coats for the minimalists, alongside more directional styles for anyone looking to make a statement. Cobalt-blue coats are bringing some much-needed colour to the usual autumn palette, funnel-neck jackets are back for another season, and bubble-hem silhouettes offer a fresh update to classic outerwear.

Whether you're looking for the kind of timeless jacket you'll pull out year after year or want to invest in one of autumn's biggest trends, Zara, H&M and COS have made a very convincing case for shopping on the high street this season.

Keep scrolling to shop the best autumn jackets from Zara, H&M and COS below.

The Best Zara, H&M and COS Autumn Jackets 2026

Sometimes, a bag quietly rises through the ranks, slowly but surely finding its way onto the arm of every chic woman you know. Other times, you can look at a bag and know almost instantly that it's destined for It status. The Prada Bonnie falls firmly into the latter camp.

It's safe to say Prada has been on something of an It-bag streak lately. In 2025, the Prada Route became a cool-girl fixture, spotted on some of fashion's most influential dressers, and now the Bonnie looks set to follow a similar trajectory. After making its debut in 2024, the bag has steadily amassed a cult following of its own. Bella Hadid, Selena Gomez, Vittoria Ceretti and Sarah Pidgeon have all been spotted carrying one, giving the Bonnie a pretty convincing claim to It-bag status.

And it's easy to see why. The Bonnie hits that elusive sweet spot between distinctive and understated. Its elongated, rectangular silhouette feels distinctly '90s, whilst soft leather, a glossy finish and belt-like strap detailing give it just enough character to stand out without feeling overly trend-led. Prada's signature triangle logo sits discreetly at the front, but otherwise the design is refreshingly pared-back.

Then there's the sheer number of iterations to choose from. The core handbag comes in mini, medium, large and extra-large proportions, alongside small hobo and roomy shoulder-bag versions, so there's a Bonnie for everything from evenings out to everyday schlepping. Materials span glossy leather to tactile suede, and whilst the colour palette moves between timeless black and dark brown and richer autumnal shades such as burgundy and forest green, alongside softer neutrals and statement colours.

Personally, it's the suede versions that have my attention for autumn, particularly in rich cocoa brown. And if its rapidly growing celebrity fan club is anything to go by, I have a feeling we're going to be seeing a lot more of the Bonnie this season.

Keep scrolling to shop the Prada Bonnie bags I'm predicting will be everywhere this autumn.

Shop The Prada Bonnie Bag

Circulating in the same network of well-heeled and The Row-adoring fashion people, it seems that Harry Styles and Jacob Elordi have seemingly synced up on their preference for cult buys.

Though both their partners, Zoë Kravitz and Kendall Jenner respectively, have undoubtedly sharpened their instincts for identifying and investing in must-have styles, the duo have secretly been reaching for the same pair of viral trainers for the past few months.

Now, as Styles steps out amid his history-making residency at Madison Square Garden, he’s crossing the Rubicon and staking a claim that these sneakers are, in fact, the go-to style for well-dressed people to wear in autumn.

The trainers in question are Celine’s Flat Sneakers, a minimal shape that features a contrasting diagonal stripe and a perforated upper. Under the new creative direction of American-born designer Michael Rider, the French maison has really hit its stride in delivering covetable styles that reinvent the idea of this bourgeois, urban preppiness. (Yes, that includes the viral derby-style Jazz shoes.)

Though this sighting of Styles coincided with the drop of Celine’s new partnership with Reebok, the look is making a case for this lower-cut style to emerge as the shoe du jour.

It also comes only a fortnight after Jacob Elordi wore his Celine Flat Sneakers, proving their status amongst stylish elites. For the uninitiated, the Australian actor wore a cream pair whilst out in London with his supermodel girlfriend. He completed his look with a forest green windbreaker and indigo jeans.

The British singer, on the other hand, has worn his in a way that’s in keeping with his signature off-duty uniform by pairing them with track shorts and an anything-but-basic T-shirt. You just know that Austin Butler and Paul Mescal are on the phone with their stylists to track this pair down for themselves.

Of course, in an era where luxury handbags have been co-opted by stylish men, it should come as no surprise to see that they’ve turned their attention to trainers as the latest streetwear item to hold cultural cachet. As everyone claimed, 2026 is the new 2016, and this feels completely fitting for the streetwear mania that swept that year.

Still, both Harry and Jacob do a lot of unexpected publicity for sharing a wardrobe with your significant other—hello: couple dressing—so don’t think that this style is exclusively for the guys, either.

Elegant, sleek and effortlessly low-key, scroll on to shop the Celine Flat sneakers that will be everywhere this September.

Shop Harry Styles and Jacob Elordi's Celine Flat Sneakers:

Shop More Flat Sneakers:

Call me biased, but I'm a firm believer that every balanced wardrobe starts with a great pair of jeans. Whether you swear by classic straight-leg styles or prefer something slightly more slouchy and baggy, denim has had the power to make (or break) an outfit for decades. So, imagine my surprise when I dove into the "fun jeans for fall" hashtag on social media and found myself confronted with a particularly bold style I thought we’d left in the Y2K archives: lace-up jeans.

This risqué silhouette had parents clutching their pearls and teenagers rushing to their nearest Baby Phat long before "Y2K" became a TikTok and Pinterest search term, and like them or loathe them, lace-up jeans were doing what they did best: pushing the limits of how much (or little) denim could count as clothing. From Christina Aguilera's Stripped era (specifically that raunchy music video for "Dirrty"), to reigning queen of 2000s excess Paris Hilton, we hit peak It-girl fashion when a playful pair was styled with a ubiquitous graphic T-shirt.

And of course, bestie Britney Spears was never too far behind (both fashion-wise and spacially), with her unforgettable fedora-and-denim combination becoming shorthand for the time, but it was the low-rise lace-ups that really made it oh so Britney. And, lest we forget Destiny's Child and Jennifer Lopez (when she was still Jenny from the Block), who made laced jeans a styling language all of their own. Whether they were embroidered with floral details or finished with strategic cut-outs, these jeans were never just denim—they were a cultural reset.

Such was the magic of lace-up jeans. A grand departure from the subtle, sensible styles of the Calvin Klein '90s, these unapologetically sexy, slightly outrageous low-rise jeans were all about unabashed femininity. Which is exactly why, 20-plus years on, the style is so beloved today. Whilst summer maximalism was expressed through vivid shades of blue, psychedelic prints and wacky accessories, turning the corner into autumn means expressing yourself in a slightly different way.

With layering firmly at the forefront, this season is all about unexpected styling choices, and what, pray tell, says "I'm the party" louder than a pair of lace-front jeans? J.Lo was recently spotted in a pair again, whilst Bella Hadid wore hers with a graphic tee and pointed boots, so it's clear that amongst the fashion set, 2001 is officially back.

Shop the 2026 Lace-Up Jeans Trend:

If there’s one thing that I dislike about fashion, it's the idea that with each season you have to buy an entirely new wardrobe. No sooner had I settled into my linens and tank tops than a cool breeze whipped around, and after being caught out not once, but twice in sandals in the rain (sob), I knew it was time I gave some serious thought to my autumnal options. The same forever knits that I wore last winter are still good to go (thank you, Navygrey and Rise & Fall), and I rely on one style of jeans for everything (that's a true-blue straight), but the category I’m always excited to reassess come September is dresses.

Yes, autumn may signal the return of knitwear, coats and boots, but this season’s dress trends are arguably the most compelling reason to refresh this one area of your wardrobe. From polished, ladylike styles that feel made for the office to the unexpectedly sexy and vampish, according to the autumn/winter 2026 runways. Fashion has plenty to offer when it comes to new dress trends.

And whilst the runways are naturally my first place to start, the real test is whether a trend feels wearable beyond the front row. Sheer dresses and sculptural gowns will always get my full attention, but will they factor into my regular rotation? Don't bet on it. So, after paying close attention to the key looks already filtering their way down from the catwalk to our closets, these six dress trends feel fresh now and have serious staying power. Consider this your edit of the styles worth knowing (and shopping) before party season really gets underway.

The 6 Biggest Dress Trends for Autumn 2026

1. The Gothic Heroine

Style Notes: In the year that gave us Maggie Gyllenhaal's Bride!, Practical Magic 2 and a Charli XCX Wuthering Heights score, dark romance is back in a big way for autumn. Long, lacy gothic dresses were all over the runways, eschewing subtlety for costume drama—think lace trims, high necklines, sheer panels and Morticia Addams-coded figure-hugging silhouettes. This season, designers are using the gothic dress to bring a modern edge to Victorian-inspired dressing, and are trading witchy boots for polished court shoes and scaling back on jewellery stacking to let the dress do all of the talking. If this sheer, long-sleeved style feels too full-frontal, wear it under a black blazer for your evening plans. It's sure to cause a stir, in all of the right ways.

Shop Gothic Romantic Dresses:

2. The Antique Clothes Show

Style Notes: ICYMI, vintage fashion is having a moment right now. And no, I don't mean ’70s-inspired florals or '90s minimalism; instead, we're taking it all the way back to the roaring '20s, where fur trims, intricate embroidery and tassels reigned supreme. Borrowing all of the best bits of the era, Magda Butryms soft blooms sit perfectly alongside Dior, Ferragamo and Dries Van Noten's flocked-wallpaper-reminiscent prints. Over at Lanvin, the dropped waist felt modern over a tiered skirt, and Ermanno Scervino and Saint Laurent's delicate lace looked like French finery.

Sorry, pared-back minimalism- these are the kind of dresses that add instant personality to an autumn wardrobe, and if you’ve been tempted to dip a toe into the vintage aesthetic without looking like you’re in fancy dress, just add a simple, long wool coat, opaque tights and T-bar shoes for an outfit formula that tells people you're dressed to impress.

Shop Vintage-Inspired Dresses:

3. 24 Karat Gold

Style Notes: From Shirley Eaton in 1965's Goldfinger to Tate McRae doused in liquid gold at Lollapalooza, there's something about head-to-toe metallic that makes for an unforgettable statement. From Standing Ground's muted yellow, through to No 21's chocolate-wrapper foil, Mugler's retro lamé and Akris' liquid-metal dress that looked poured onto the model, this high-octane colour proves that "party" dressing doesn’t have to wait until December. Whilst jewellery trends continue to shift towards silver and autumn beauty is picking up on copper, consider this your sign to embrace a little more 24-karat shine in your wardrobe to stand out from the crowd this autumn.

Shop Gold Dresses:

4. Short and Sweet

Style Notes: Move over, LBD! According to designers, the minidress was overdue for a cuter makeover, and this season expect to see playful proportions, pretty prints, boxy silhouettes and lots (and lots) of bows, ruffles and Peter Pan collars. It is refreshing to see such spring-coded minis alongside the season’s heavier tailoring and oversized outerwear, and the styling possibilities make it surprisingly wearable once the temperature drops.

Take your favourite mini and add sheer tights or socks, pumps or Miu Miu-esque trainers, then finish with an off-the-shoulder coat for that effortless high-low balance. Whether you lean towards sweet and romantic or prefer something with a preppy edge, this is one autumn trend that’s guaranteed to bring a little fun back into getting dressed.

Shop Minidresses:

5. Reach Out and Touch Me

Style Notes: If there’s one thing autumn 2026 is encouraging us to do, it’s to get a little more tactile with our wardrobes. It's no surprise that during sweater season we want to wrap ourselves up in cashmere and duvet coats, and now dresses are taking on an equally "touchable" quality this season with plush velvets, fuzzy knits, tactile bouclé, and feathered trims giving even the simplest silhouettes plenty of interest. You might not be reaching for Balenciaga's haute couture tulle to wear to the office, but ruffles, fringing and wool feel perfectly suited to cooler days, and there’s something undeniably luxurious about slipping into a dress that feels as good as it looks. Wear a tactile midi with a polished knee-high boot for day, or let a more dramatic feathered or velvet style take centre stage after dark.

Shop Tactile Dresses:

6. Dream Sleeves

Style Notes: Remember the "nap" dress, the style so comfortable and effortlessly relaxed that you could fall asleep in it? Well, this autumn our fascination with all things nightgowns has evolved into the kind of dress that you can comfortably wear throughout cooler days too. Sleeves are getting bigger, puffier and more sculptural, adding just the right amount of pillowy softness to otherwise simple dress silhouettes. From romantic balloon sleeves and gathered shoulders to subtly voluminous shapes, these may just look like white and cream dresses at first glance, but their proximity to the humble nightie makes this one of the easiest ways to make an everyday dress feel instantly more directional. Keep it modern (and outdoor-appropriate) by balancing the volume elsewhere—think sleek knee-high boots à la Chloé or Givenchy's playful puffball mules.

Shop Puff-Sleeve Dresses:

The arrival of autumn can be marked by the subtle shift in colour palette. Around us, the bright yellows and aqua of summer have quieted into soft browning leaves and dusky blue skies, and similarly, our wardrobes shift in shade. In the midst of building my capsule wardrobe, I've been looking to cement the trusted neutrals I need as well as bolder accents that will bring intrigue, but now it's time to figure out which hues in particular are going to revitalise my autumn looks. Now, H&M has already checked off every key colour trend for autumn 2026.

For autumn 2026, H&M is leaning into the season's most refined silhouettes, staples, and trending details, all in elegant colour palettes. Refreshing our neutrals is soft cream, slightly less stark than bright white, but still bringing that fresh feel to our looks. Alongside, dark grey shades are taking over from lighter counterparts, grounding our looks and offsetting both brighter shades and bold accents alike.

In bold accents, you may have noticed that cobalt blue is already distinguishing itself from the rest of the colour wheel as the punchy shade accenting jackets, knitwear and accessories this season. Following the return of primary colours this summer, this vibrant blue feels fresh alongside tonal navy, contrasting creams, or more demure mole shades. On brighter hues, red continues to be the impactful pop of colour fashion people are reaching for, whether layered into our looks via a cardigan around the shoulders or finishing understated outfits with a bold shoe. If you're wondering which colour trends are sure to make your outfits look more elegant this season, scroll on to explore the 5 colour trends H&M is already backing for autumn 2026.

Shop the 5 Autumn Colour Trends H&M Is Backing Now

1. Cream

2. Red

3. Slate Grey

4. Cobalt Blue

5. Mole