There are a few key spring and summer events that help our editors keep an eye out for inspiration and trends, runways, of course, red carpets, after-parties and The Met Gala.

This year Hunter Schafer wore one of our team's favourite red carpet looks of the night, which was a custom Prada gown inspired by Gustav Klimt's "Mäda Primavesi." Then, for the Saint Laurent after-party at People's Bar in New York City, she changed into a custom dress by emerging British designer Steve O Smith and carried one particular accessory: Prada's Wish Pouch.

That made me think back to the Italian luxury house's spring and summer 2026 runway show, where the bag appeared multiple times throughout the collection, taking an essentials-only approach to dressing: phone, keys, wallet. The silhouette comes in three materials—silk, Re-Nylon, and leather—and in a range of shades including black, grey, orange and even pink.

Pouches also appeared at Loewe's, Miu Miu's, and Valentino's spring and summer 2026 shows and even at Celine's autumn and winter 2026 presentation—a nostalgic eveningwear aesthetic reminiscent of the dainty styles dating back to the late 18th century.

Below, shop Prada's It bag for summer 2026 along with more designer pouches from Bottega Veneta, Chloé, Saint Laurent, The Row, and more.

On Prada's Spring and Summer 2026 Runway

On Hunter Schafer

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If you’ve been inundated with shots of moulded corsets, beanstalk heels and knotted satin dresses all over your social media feeds, it should come as no surprise that we’re currently in the midst of the fall/winter 2026-2027 Haute Couture Week. The most prestigious of all fashion weeks, the bi-annual event is a showcase of wearable artistry, with the capabilities of hallowed ateliers and the exceptional work of the petites mains (a French phrase that refers to the seamstresses, embroiderers, milliners and button makers who create these garments) on full display.

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…

Whilst the UK can’t quite decide whether it’s summer or not, I’ve just returned from Menorca, where holiday mode is very much in full swing. Blue skies, warm-ish sea, slushy lemon gins (a Menorcan classic, IYKYK), plus a pantheon of no-holds-barred summer dressing: think beaded bags, prints-on-prints-on-prints and kaleidoscopic colour.

It’s in no small part thanks to Alémais, the buzzy Australian brand that transported a host of influencers, editors and tastemakers to Menorca’s Illa de Rie, home to Hauser and Wirth’s Spanish outpost, for the brand’s most recent Resort show. Founded by Zimmermann alumnus Lesleigh Jermanus, Alémais just gets holiday dressing right, and its fan-girls, including Dree Hemingway, Kesewa Aboah, Leandra Medine andTiffany Hsu, agree.

Maximalist prints, easy silhouettes, and statement accessories with just the right amount of quirk have become the brand’s calling card since its launch in 2020. (It now has over 600 stockists, including Net-a-Porter and MyTheresa). Jermanus is inspired by wanderlust, print, colour and art and for Resort, she teamed up with the Mallorca-based artist Sophie Wahlquist, whose work in ceramics came to life via exaggerated proportions and curved silhouettes. As per a sculpture’s hand, the fabric was twisted and folded, while pieces appeared sun-bleached.

If you’re looking to upgrade your holiday wardrobe, or bring a sense of escapism to your everyday, I’d start with a printed co-ord, an Alémais signature. From printed silk satin shorts to oversized bowler shirts, each piece can be styled down (think denim, white tees and loafers) or styled for holidays, depending on your summer agenda. The accessories are worth a second look, too.

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Whilst there are plenty of top-level trends to get excited about from the autumn/winter 2026 runways, you may have glossed over the subtle style shift that's happening with handbags this season, one that designers across all four fashion capitals agree on. Clutches—once a narrow handbag category designed exclusively for weddings, red carpets, and black-tie galas—have been slowly evolving into silhouettes and sizes that go far beyond eveningwear. In fact, the chicest clutches of the moment are intended to look just as good with a gown and heels as they do with jeans and flats.

In the collections, that looked like an elongated eel-print clutch that Proenza Schouler styled with a polished skirt suit, a series of east-west frame clutches that Coach immediately sold out in its post-show "see now, buy now" release, and upsized silhouettes that Celine models carried in the crook of their arms. All in all, clutches are becoming the new handbag style of choice to signal elegant style both day and night, and several It styles are already earning buzz this year, including The Row's Peggy Clutch and the Bottega Veneta Lauren 1979.

Bottega, Celine, Khaite—according to the autumn/winter 2026 collections, we're entering the era of the everyday clutch bag. Keep scrolling to shop the best designer clutch bags for summer 2026, and beyond.

Everyday Clutches: The Elegant Handbag Trend to Know for 2026

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Runway Styling Inspiration

Under the canopy of street lamps and surrounded by slick concrete, Jonathan Anderson brought Dior back to Hollywood to debut his first Cruise collection for the French maison. At the Los Angeles County Museum of Contemporary Art, the Northern Irish creative director saturated the sleek, cement venue with his interpretation of noir glamour; a Lynchian blue glow illuminating from a convertible lowrider, the thumping bass line of Bot’Ox’s “Crashed Cadillac”, elongated bar jackets with ripped hemlines and equally distressed jeans.

Despite the moody undertones of the new season showcase and vivid evocation of a gritty thriller—they don’t call it the Boulevard of broken dreams for nothing—it didn’t stop the show’s guests from turning out in true sun-kissed fashion. Though the panoply took on a surrealism seen in films like Cronenberg’s Maps to the Stars, those who lined the front row dressed more in line with the scintillating beaches of Malibu in balmy colour palettes and high-octane hues. The most notable aspect of this scheme, however, was the dreamy butter yellow seen on Sabrina Carpenter.

The pop star has developed quite a close working relationship with the brand, especially with Dior dressing her for her Coachella headlining performances, which also subverted cinematic tropes. (She is a theatre kid at heart, after all.) Dressed in a drop-waist, halterneck gown made of wispy chiffon, the look was made ultra notable given the silhouette itself opened the show.

Perhaps method dressing in the vein of silver screen starlets like Sharon Tate, the songstress tied her hair half-up with a lacy bow and accessories with Dior’s Cigale bag, satin bow heels and a giant rosette. Elsewhere The Studio breakout actress and former Who What Wear cover star, Chase Sui Wonders, could also be seen in the shade. Her look was from Dior’s recent autumn/winter 2026 collection and featured a dramatically tiered scallop hem that is reminiscent of the bulbs on Bluebell flowers. Monsieur Dior always did have a bit of a green thumb.

Though Hailey Bieber might’ve declared butter yellow “over” last summer when she was promoting Rhode Beauty’s lemon-flavoured Peptide Lip Treatment—an announcement that also helped revive vintage Pucci as the thing to wear along the Riviera—this high-fashion endorsement makes it apparent that butter yellow is going nowhere. Dreamy, delicate and Dior-approved, shop the summer shade below.

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Chani Ra is a Who What Wear UK Editor in Residence and a London-based fashion commentator at her social channel The Fashion Nap, which broadcasts show reports, trend commentary and both current and archive industry analysis on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. As well as interviewing industry leaders and experts on her platform, she also often speaks as an expert on panels.

For the last decade or two, it’s become completely uneventful for 20-something women to be on a religious Botox and filler schedule, and it seems the newest normal for celebrities approaching 30 is a facelift. But there’s change afoot. As clothes become more "undone" and filler gets dissolved, expressive and unique faces are re-emerging in the public eye.

Fashion brands are catching on to the boom of mature models. Case in point: Tom Ford recently dropped the sexiest campaign of the season, featuring 59-year-old former model and The Vampire's Wife co-founder Susie Cave. A particular video caught my eye, especially when the camera pans into her face, close enough to see the fine lines that sit gracefully around her pink-shadowed stare. It was a precursor to a very sultry show, in which creative director Haider Ackermann created restraint and tension with models of all ages.

Chanel’s latest breakout star is Stephanie Cavalli, who is 50. After opening Matthieu Blazy’s debut couture show, sauntering down the runway in a sheer suit, she was back again to open the most anticipated show á Paris: Chanel autumn/winter 2026. Cavalli’s hair has become instantly recognisable: a painfully chic curly, triangular bob streaked with grey, framing her adult face in all its glory.

Catching up with Who What Wear UK's own editor-in-chief, Jane McFarland, who braved the crowds at the Paris store's opening as the spring collection landed, it’s a reminder that Chanel’s clients are women of all ages. The new face of aspiration is rooted in reality, and the brands young women want to buy are those they can grow with. Women with real-life experience are our newly crowned It girls. Even my afternoon TikTok doomscroll is currently populated with women who worked at Calvin Klein in the '90s, emerging as the gatekeepers to "Carolyn Bessette Kennedy chic". The comment sections are flooded by Gen Z viewers begging for the ancient magic, and exclaiming that they "still look so good!"

49-year-old Stephanie Cavalli opens the Chanel A/W 26 show.

Looking back recent fashion months, London set the standard for age inclusion. Karoline Vitto, a London-based Brazilian designer, is known for catering to women of all sizes. This diversity also extends to age; Vitto doesn’t shy away from dressing a 40-year-old woman as she would a 25-year-old. "We dress the baddies!" Vitto exclaimed backstage. "That comes in any age and any shape. It’s all about an attitude and a presence you feel when you wear the clothes." Indeed, presence is a far more interesting currency than youth, and much harder to replicate.

Johanna Parv showed a collection called Intimacy of Distances for women who are actively living and moving through life with purpose. The show notes chronicled creative women travelling via different modes to different places, with the clothes providing a uniform for streamlined, no-frills success. "Most models are too young for my taste," commented Parv, whose show featured models of a range of ages.

Translating this taste to the runway was casting director Lisa Dymph Megens, who has made it her mission to cast the types of women brands are actually selling to, meaning "sending 20 teenagers down the runway" isn’t an option. "Johanna Parv’s show proved that you can present something human and still be very 'fashion'," she told me. "As casting directors, you’re waiting for a brief that allows you to show what you stand for, because you still have to do what the designer wants, and this is an industry that’s obsessed with youth. [This] is linked to young women seeming easier to control."

Megens raises an unignorable point. Just one look at the so-called "elite" men in the news with anchors in every industry—fashion included—makes the quest for eternal youth feel far more insidious. You have to ask: whose standards are we catering to? Once you ruminate on that, suddenly it feels like it’s time to visibly grow up.

In the spirit of rebellion, Lueder’s runway was walked by London nightlife icon (and the only royal I will be acknowledging this season), Princess Julia. Famous for allegedly going out every night since 1976, Princess Julia is a pillar of London’s queer community and a champion of emerging designers. Rose McGowan, 52, also walked for Lueder, in a rave-ready look comprising a bleached pixie cut, dark glasses, a red silk bomber jacket, black tights, leg warmers and trainers. In the Matieres Fecales A/W 26 show, Debra Shaw (49), Michèle Lamy (82) and Daphne Guinness (58) were the scene stealers.

Representation of women over 40 is particularly meaningful in the trans community, where so many aren’t allowed the opportunity to age. Dominique Jackson, 50, walked for Conner Ives this season, and Connie Fleming—whose modelling career started in the '80s—recently appeared in MAC campaigns. I had the pleasure of interviewing Fleming in 2024, and we discussed how often, when you represent a marginalised community, there isn't a roadmap to follow. Allowing these women to stand and inspire people to look forward in a world where we witness rights being stripped left and right is a testament to the impact fashion can have.

Ultimately, the hope is that the industry continues on an upward trajectory when it comes to age, and this isn’t a throwaway fad, as we've unfortunately witnessed with body diversity, or the lack thereof. We cannot reduce our bodies or our life experiences to play things for the trend cycle. As Diane Von Furstenberg once said, "Don’t ask, 'How old are you?' Ask, 'How many years have you lived?'"

It’s a throwaway line so severe that it’s been seared in our collective memories, but from the moment Miranda Priestly admonished one of her editorial staff for suggesting covering florals for spring, it’s almost felt like we’ve second-guessed wearing them. Trite? Perhaps. But apt for a season that’s perennially in bloom? Completely.

This season, however, fashion’s most tasteful are rebelling against this authoritative decree and proving that, despite all the pretences and cliches, wearing botanicals during this time of year is genuinely groundbreaking. Of course, there are some brands like the nostalgic-laden designs of Doên and endlessly sun-seeking silhouettes of Faithfull The Brand, who have always known this. In turn, their perennial use of floral prints has made them synonymous with this period, let alone lucrative businesses that turn over millions of dollars in profit. Wearing florals for spring isn’t only appropriate, but for those in the know, an incredibly worthwhile move.

Luxury brands know this all too well, with the spring/summer 2026 season dominated by oversized petals, dusty peonies and ditsy baby's breath. At Dior, Jonathan Anderson paid homage to Monsieur Dior’s adoration for floristry—a passion that began growing up around his childhood gardens in Granville and has culminated in the house staging most collections in Paris’s Jardin des Tuileries—by rendering soft bouquets on bubble hemlines. Elsewhere, at Chloé, Chemna Kamali invoked the lurid essence of the eighties with a fluorescent colour palette and blown-up flowers that felt like something you would’ve seen worn on Tom Selleck on Magnum P.I.

On a popular cultural level, it seems that almost everyone is becoming a hobbyist horticulturist. From Harry Styles featuring a song titled “Coming Up Roses” on his fourth studio album, Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally, to Zendaya referencing Carrie Bradshaw’s and Whitney Houston’s iconic hibiscus rosette white dress from Cachè at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards, there’s never been a better time to have a green thumb.

Of course, wearing the motif can be as straightforward as throwing on a ditsy floral dress and calling it a day. However, those more astute will confirm that there are ways of wearing the style less predictably. From blossoms that take inspiration from the impressionist landscapes of Claude Monet to dimensional arrangements that prioritise artistry, these are the 5 key floral fashion trends that are sprouting for spring 2026.

5 Floral Fashion Trends That are Trending for Spring 2026

1. Watercolour Botanicals

Style Notes: André Leon Talley might’ve once quipped that fashion is not art—he said working in the industry was instead like being in the chiffon trenches, for the uninitiated—but this floral fashion is arguably worthy of a spot in the Musée d'Orsay.

With a muted, pastel colour palette that evokes the sensation of being made en plein air—which refers to a technique of painting outdoors to capture a sense of realism on the canvas—this is a style that favours blurry finishes, lighter touches and ethereal elegance.

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2. Pressed Petals

Style Notes: If the act of pressing petals is one that resonates with you, then this floral fashion trend is bound to tug on your heart’s strings. Rather than simply screen printing the print onto the fabric, this trend features a tactile element that makes the flowers appear like they’ve been etched into the very material itself.

This sort of jacquard effect was recently seen on the ornate-furniture-inspired collection presented by Hodakova during Paris Fashion Week, during Margot Robbie’s Wuthering Heights press tour and, perhaps most notably, on Jessie Buckley when she took home the Golden Globe for Best Actress at the start of the year.

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3. Stitched-On Blossoms

Style Notes: Another floral fashion trend that sits at the intersection of style and craft is chinoiserie. Emerging in the 17th-century as an applied art, the distinct floral landscape synonymous with this style is being embroidered onto everything from demi-couture fur-trimed coats by Conner Ives that are upcycled from antique textiles that date back to the Qing Dynasty to Jennifer Lawrence’s custom Givenchy dress designed by Sarah Burton.

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4. Gothic Nightshades

Style Notes: Hauntingly beautiful and devastatingly gorgeous aren’t phrases that are typically synonymous with floral fashion trends, but if the rise of gothic romances and Victorian mourning wear has got you carried away, allow yourself to be swept up by the darkly captivating, moody nightshade trend. These aren’t your grandmother’s botanicals, but something far more morose, like the gothic lace dresses seen at McQueen and the Edgar Allan Poe-approved styles at Prada.

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5. Lurid Blooms

Style Notes: They might’ve been the brainchild of the flower generation, but garish and brightly-coloured flowers were all over the runway, from Chloe’s vivid ranunculus dresses that were stylised in a Warholian colour scheme to Zimmermann’s blurry patterns, which feel as if the flowers were caught in a hypersonic freeze-frame. All you need is a swipe of M.A.C.’s Candy Yum Yum, the voice of Randy Newman blasting through your headphones and you’re set.

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In the immortal words of Miss Congeniality, the perfect date is one that falls in spring, as it’s not too hot, not too cold, and all you need is a light jacket. The pageant star might’ve conflated her favourite day of the Gregorian calendar with a question aimed at sparking romance, but the point still remains.

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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Milano—season after season, you seduce us with your enduring glamour and inimitable cool. As the home of Prada, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Fendi, Marni and more, the city thrums with creativity, and never more than during Milan Fashion Week. A high-shine confidence runs through its storied fashion houses. Unafraid of a little excess, Milan embraces sparkle, sequins and sheer with open arms, making other fashion capitals feel almost restrained in comparison.

Long considered a bellwether for the season ahead, especially when it comes to party moments, Milan Fashion Week’s autumn/winter 2026 collections delivered exactly what we hoped for: drama and decadence. After closely watching the runways and revisiting the standout shows, a handful of clear themes emerged—trends the city’s most influential houses seem unanimously aligned on.

Read on to discover the defining Milan Fashion Week autumn/winter 2026 runway trends to know now.

5 Runway Trends from Milan Fashion Week to Know Now

1. Royal Purple

Style Notes: If the past few seasons were defined by sumptuous burgundies and decadent browns, consider this their bolder successor. For A/W ’26, designers leaned towards a richer, punchier palette, with royal purple emerging as the standout shade. Long considered a tricky, even divisive hue, it has suddenly found favour among the industry’s most directional houses, including Gucci, Ferragamo and Sportmax. Whether worn in saturated, head-to-toe sweeps or tempered with inky black and dark chocolate brown—royal purple reigned.

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2. Colourful Cuffs

Style Notes: This season, designers punctuated looks with a flash of colour at the wrist. At Prada, Bottega Veneta and Ferragamo, sleeves were finished with vivid trims that peeked out beneath coats and knits. It’s a subtle styling trick, but one that feels primed for rapid adoption among the street style set.

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3. Frothy Collars

Style Notes: A romantic mood swept the runways, as ruffled, voluminous and deliciously frothy collars crowned dresses, blouses and outerwear. As Victorian influences continue to permeate pop culture—fanned by the recent adaptation of Wuthering Heights and the enduring pull of Bridgerton—fashion’s embrace of the trend feels right on time.

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4. Skirt Suits

Style Notes: Perhaps the most polished pairing of the week, the skirt suit found its feet in Milan. At Gucci, single-breasted, slim-fitting jackets were styled with knee-grazing pencil skirts for a sharp effect. Fendi offered a softer interpretation, presenting longer hemlines with slouchier, elongated blazers, while Jil Sander leaned into minimalism with marl-hued sets that gently skimmed the frame.

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5. Lace-Up Knee Boots

Style Notes: In place of prim Mary Janes, designers embraced sharper, more commanding lace-up knee boots. A progression of the knee-high styles that have dominated in recent years, these iterations come tightly bound, laced from ankle to calf in a subtle nod to Victorian dressing. Witchy and dramatic they tap into the same romantic undercurrent seen across the collections.

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The message for dressing next autumn? Good suiting should be the hallmark of your wardrobe. It’s only Day 3 at Milan Fashion Week, and by the looks of the influx both on-and-off the runway, sharp tailoring is already the overarching mood of the season—trends may come and go, but excellent suiting will never go out of style.

BOSS dipped into the archives to modernise old silhouettes. Late '80s, exaggerated shoulders were balanced with narrow waists, while double-breasted jackets were styled with single-pleat trousers (reader, there’s no corporate workwear here). Outerwear ran the gamut from louche, floor-grazing overcoats to cropped bombers. Materiality from nylon, particularly good in trench form, to leather and cashmere. Clothes to touch, and then some.

Printed silk and jacquard scarves—another trend du jour and easy styling hack—appeared as neckties, scarves and cummerbunds. If you are currently styling a fringed scarf around your attire, consider this your a/w '26 upgrade.

The well-heeled crowd and front row—including Cat Burns and David Beckham, dressed in a suit, shirt and tie respectively—added their own touches: the former wore a contrast blue tie with a grey suit, while the latter added a paisley print silk scarf to her black get-up.

Rendered in a palette of moody plums and grounding marls, the collection never wavered in its wearability. If anything, it sharpened BOSS’s position as the label for the modern 9-to-5er—though this season, they're just as considered after hours.

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And just like that, we’ve wrapped on another season of London Fashion Week. And as ever, this year provided many unmissable moments, trends, hero items and collaborations worth knowing about. From a surprise appearance from none other than King Charles III, who was sat on front row for Tolu Coker’s first runway show, to a surprise performance from Little Simz, as well as Burberry’s showcase that left us all feeling like London is well and truly back on the fashion map, this season brought much excitement.

Whilst one of the "Big Four" major fashion cities, London is seen more as a hub for emerging talent and cult designers, there were still some must-see collections from bigger brands. Erdem and Emilia Wickstead, forever legends on the London schedule, debuted another season of house signatures. For Erdem, the focus was texture, brocade and romance for its 20th anniversary, with Emilia Wickstead showcasing her usual refined elegance, with a few unexpected contemporary details.

Adding to the excitement, Joseph made a grand return to London, debuting its A/W 26 collection at the Tate Modern. A brand known for its minimalist sensibilities, it pushed its own house boundaries to present "quiet luxury 2.0". Whilst staying true to Joseph’s DNA, it provided all the components of a timeless capsule wardrobe, with some surprise details. Rhinestone-clad separates, beaded knitwear and molten gold statement jewellery felt fresh for the season ahead.

Post-show talks amongst the team brought up several mentions of dresses. For a few years now, it has seemed that fashion has favoured skirts, suits and separates in general, but this time, London welcomed back the one-piece. From classic gowns at Richard Quinn, Erdem and Emilia Wickstead, to some surprising styles seen at Simone Rocha and Conner Ives, I woke up that Tuesday morning to find the note "power dresses are back!" typed on my notes app. Go figure!

Of course, it would be remiss to talk about the big brands without mentioning Burberry, which closed London Fashion Week at Old Billingsgate Market. Focusing on the city’s rainy weather as a theme, the collection was all about its iconic trench coat, but this time, creative director Daniel Lee was offering versions we hadn’t seen before. Indeed, all the celebrity guests, from Skepta to Alexa Chung, Stella Starsgaard to Daisy Edgar-Jones and Kate Moss, were wearing a different iteration of the show’s star piece. Naturally, it had been raining in London for several days, so this collection felt like it could almost be see-now, buy-now.

But whilst London may not have as many of the bigger design houses on its roster, it is home to some of the most impressive young talent in fashion. Grace Wales Bonner, Martine Rose, Chopova Lowena and Conner Ives are just some of the designers who made their way through the London circuit, many of them coming from the British Fashion Council’s NEWGEN programme.

So here, when collating the eight trends I spotted on the ground whilst darting between shows, presentations and the occasional party (or three), I’ve compiled a list that encompasses not only the big hitters but the emerging talent you need to have on your radar for A/W 26.

8 Trends From London Fashion Week A/W 26 That You Need to Know

1. Military Precision

Style Notes: We've been predicting the return of the Napoleon jacket since mid-last year, but it seems it's next autumn when the runways will really explore this comeback. A jacket so tied to the "indie sleaze" era, and with the recent obsession with 2016, it's no surprise that Sinead Gorey and Keburia, two designers known for their ironic design codes and nostalgic aesthetics, would champion this. But, for this season, we saw so much more than just Napoleon jackets. From golden braided frog closures on a Conner Ives denim jacket, to Labrum's regal structured silhouettes and pins, there were sightings of military influences, even in the most subtle of ways.

2. Check Mate

Style Notes: Starting strong with Burberry, a brand known as much for its iconic Nova check as it is for its trench coat, there were a few subtle references to its famed plaid on show. However, creative director Daniel Lee didn't focus too heavily on this graphic. Whilst it came on the pictured grey trench, as well as a fur burgundy bomber jacket and scarf, it remained an elusive part of the collection. For Emilia Wickstead and Tolu Coker, however, checks were more prominent, featured across tailored two- or (three-) piece sets, and in vibrant palettes. Bora Aksu, a designer known for referencing styles of the past, looked to more traditional checks, like dogstooth, houndstooth and gingham.

3. Pinned Down

Style Notes: We reported on the prominence of brooches late last year, so it's safe to say this often overlooked accessory was well on our radar. However, for A/W 26, there was no question of this slipping through the net. Then, the styling of brooches felt fairly pared-back; this season, they're hard to miss. At Toga, one of the standout looks was a dress that had the bottom half adorned in different brooches with organic, almost molten, stones.

At Sinead Gorey, it wasn't brooches but pins, which perfectly suit the label's punk aesthetic. Pins were actually something we noticed a lot when observing street style (perhaps a progression of this trend, and one to look out for?). At Simone Rocha and Erdem, it was, as usual, all about hyper-femininity, created with jewelled pins as well as layered ribbons and rosettes (a house signature for Rocha).

4. Touchy-Feely

Style Notes: What is the autumn/winter season without texture, furs and general softness? It goes without saying that in London, the city where we can't help but talk about the weather, we expect to see some decent outerwear. Burberry, Joseph and Toga delivered this in abundance, with full-length faux-fur coats, shearling jackets and aviator bombers. But there were a few other, less anticipated hero pieces so irresistibly tactile, you can't help but want to touch them. From feathered tops and accessories at Mithridate to a faux-fur polo shirt at Fashion East's Goyagoma by designer Traiceline Pratt, as well as those furry flats at Erdem, A/W 26 is proving that being cosy needn't be boring.

5. The Rad Hatter

Style Notes: ICYMI, 2026 is all about the hat. From Kangol berets to bonnets and bucket hats, we're focused on headwear. But what about for A/W 26? According to Labrum and Argo, deer-stalker hats are on the menu. I also noticed several trapper styles, with Ouyang, Mithridate and Sinead Gorey presenting XXXL shearling-lined, shaggy and faux-fur versions, worn loose below the chin. No cold ears here!

6. Florals

Style Notes: We expect florals in spring, but in winter, it's less anticipated. Especially in London, where for the most part, the style is quite casual, grungy even. Designers like Patrick McDowell and Richard Quinn, known for their theatrical show-stopping gowns that celebrate "classic" femininity, delivered pretty floral motifs, presented on vintage silhouettes that still felt timeless. Quinn's mesmerising '80s-inspired cuts displayed florals not just as digitally-printed graphics, but with embellished beading, brooches and feathers.

Emilia Wickstead and Simone Rocha showcased a few of their own floral dresses that stayed true to their individual house codes: adorned with ribbons and rosettes for Rocha, and off-the-shoulder silhouettes for Wickstead. Cult designer Masha Papova, however, presented a floral-printed leather jacket with matching short-shorts and shoes, delivering a three-piece look we didn't see coming.

7. Victoriana

Style Notes: Victorian-inspired fashion was a major theme for S/S 26, either with gothic references to hair and corsetry at Dilara Findikoglu or with romantic references like lace and "Froth" at Simone Rocha and Bora Aksu. For A/W 26, Victorian influences feel less gothic and more whimsical. Aksu and Rocha delivered what they always do: highly detailed lace gowns, with layers and swathes of sheer fabric and frou-frou skirts. The tailoring also felt quite Victorian, with Erdem's rigid high collars under blazers, tweed three-piece suits with brogues at Bora Aksu, and even Conner Ives referencing Dandyism by way of the '80s, with cummerbunds and neckerchiefs.

8. Heavy Embellishments

Style Notes: There's no question that A/W 26 was one for maximalists. Even designers known for their pared-back approach, like Joseph, delivered looks with heavier luxe details like rhinestones and embellishments. A standout look from Joseph was a cream knitted midi skirt and jumper set, which was heavily adorned with long, almost spiked beads.

For Conner Ives, this was a black two-piece set adorned with large, coin-like circular sequins that appeared almost like scales in the light. Richard Quinn, as previously mentioned, presented multiple opulent gowns decorated with ornate embellishments. At Emilia Wickstead, a strapless gold sequin number will certainly be looked upon as a trophy piece come party season, displaying beaded fringing along the hem. Spectacular!

As I write this, my copy of Lauren Elkin's Scaffolding sits face down to my left, exposing its cobalt blue back cover against my chocolate brown desk. It’s a fitting symbol—and lede, for that matter—for the way that this exact hue has saturated the zeitgeist to become somewhat of an overnight sensation.

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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There’s a particular feeling that stirs in a Londoner’s chest when crossing one of the city’s bridges after dark. If the mood is right, the sight of the Thames unfurling beneath you—wide and inky, reflecting the glittering landmarks that flank your path—sparks a rush of elation and pride. Pride that, amid the sprawl and spectacle, you’ve carved out a place for yourself in one of the greatest cities on earth.

That same London mood framed Burberry’s autumn/winter 2026 show. Staged at Old Billingsgate, the former fish market perched on the banks of the River Thames, the setting felt perfectly metropolitan, complete with its own rendering of Tower Bridge, crowded by glossy latex “puddles.”

A constellation of A-list guests arrived, Barry Keoghan, Lila Moss, Pink Pantheress, Mia Regan, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and Devon Lee Carlson were amongst those swathed in the house signatures that cemented Burberry’s global renown. Alexa Chung was bundled into a tightly belted leather trench in a rich plum hue, while Kate Moss—London royalty in her own right—opted for a jet-black cotton trench cut neatly to the knee. Collapsing the traditional front row, actors, musicians, artists and athletes were dotted throughout the space. Moss, animated as ever, was spotted chewing the ear off Oscar-nominated Stellan Skarsgård.

For all the city’s perennial complaints—its weather chief among them—Londoners remain quietly proud. And, it seems, so does creative director Daniel Lee. Leaning into the romance of a deep London winter, the collection was anchored by outerwear: that most necessary of British wardrobe pillars. The trench coat, reworked in leather and plissé, emerged alongside cropped, fur-trimmed bombers and exaggerated pea coats. In doing so, the collection framed the essentials as the most exciting part of next season’s wardrobe.

The show’s central thesis—London at Night—explored a palette of moody decadence. Glossy leathers appeared as trenches, trousers, opera-length gloves and sharp-toed shoes. Ruffled collars and swathes of fur retained the Londoner’s throw-on insouciance—all rendered in rich plums, blacks, navies and burgundies. Later, partywear emerged: tasselled dresses, satin gowns, thigh-grazing skirts made for plans after-dark. The high-low styling—a bomber jacket thrown over a sequinned slip, for example—epitomises the It girl style and energy London is known for.

And then came the final procession of trench coats: the ultimate emblem of the capital. This year marks 170 years of Burberry. In celebrating the city’s rain-slicked romance, Burberry distilled the feeling of crossing that bridge, looking out over the Thames, and knowing exactly where you stand. As for Daniel Lee? He’s firmly at home.

Discover Burberry's Autumn/Winter 2026 Collection:

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Ask anyone what the cardinal tenets of attending London Fashion Week are, and they’ll tell you that wearing flat shoes is a prerequisite. You see, when you’re running from iconic show venues like the Tate Modern along the River Thames to Alexandra Palace deep in the city’s northern suburbs, six-inch slingbacks and heels bound to pinch at your toes just simply wont cut it.

So, it should come as no surprise to see the collections presented over the runways this past weekend were best with flats of all kinds. However, the most prevailing shoe trend, as spotted out by Who What Wear UK’s own editor-in-chief Jane McFarland, was of the fanciful variety. “The standout shows ran the gamut, from feathered flats to decorative brogues to satin sneakerinas!” McFarland mentioned, highlighting the accessories displayed at Erdem, Emilia Wickstead and Simone Rocha as among her favourites exhibited this season.

Of the latter, it was the Irish fashion designer’s collaboration with German sportswear giant Adidas that piqued the most interest. Staged alongside a collection of ethereal dresses and floaty three-stripe streetwear inspired by Celtic mythology, Perry Ogden’s seminal 1999 photobook Pony Kids and the ‘Weird Sisters’ of the Yeats family, Rocha debuted a series of romantic trainers strewn with her signature motifs, including satin bows and decorative sequin embellishments in lieu of technical elements.

However, Rocha wasn’t alone in this fascination with adding mystical elements to the mundane. Elsewhere, Erdem showcased a soft, low-profile flat that featured an explosion of pastel coloured feathers, from butter yellow to capri blue. Toga added structure to the lace-up category, unveiling flats that were both architectural and nostalgic.

Most notably, there was a definitive shift away from studier staples like trainers, boat shoes and loafers—two categories that have reigned supreme over the past few years—highlighting a renewed interest in slip-on styles that add texture, panache and personality to an ensemble, not just practicality. A clear extension of the joy of dressing up doctrine that was set back in September, uncover the key fanciful flats that dominated the autumn/winter 2026 runways of London Fashion Week, ahead.

5 Flat Shoe Trends that Dominated the London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2026

1. Fluffy Feathers

Style Notes: Plume is in bloom, with everyone from Matthieu Blazey at Chanel to Louise Trotter at Bottega Veneta fixated on this featherweight accent. Extravagant by nature, this nouveau animal print flocked together at Erdem, with the eponymous designer celebrating his 20th anniversary through flats made for celebration, excess and opulence.

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2. Bejewelled Sneakerinas

Style Notes: Folklore is intrinsic to the creation process for Simone Rocha, with the fables and fantasy of her native Ireland often the starting point for the designer. Here, the award-winning designer put her own spin on the mythology depicted in Jack B. Yeats' 1936 oil painting In Tír na nÓg, in which the painter renders a paradisal realm of youth and beauty through verdant landscapes and a sleeping boy. Speaking to press after the show, Rocha explained that she "wanted to take this mythicism and cut it with realism", resulting in a functional pair of hybrid trainers that were equal parts charming and captivating.

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3. Delicate Satin

Style Notes: Quiet restraint is a signature of Emilia Wickstead's work. However, for the New Zealand-born, London-based demi-couture label, the austerity and androgyny of 'forgotten' female artists like the sapphic Swiss writer and photographer, Annemarie Schwarzenbach, or French sculptor and actress, Fano Messan, allowed this contrast to be more defined. Case in point: The array of satin flats that featured a razor-sharp point and structured shape, balancing both the delicacy of the feminine and the utility of the masculine.

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4. Lace-Up Ghillies

Style Notes: What's the craic, you ask? Just the sheer amount of ghillies proliferating over the London Fashion Week runways. The silhouette and name are derived from a traditional Irish dancing shoe. However, the style is becoming a hotbed for experimentation, with designers toying with the trademark lace-up pattern, like the rigid, derby-style version seen here at Toga.

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5. Structured Brogues

Style Notes: From Fred Astaire to Frank Sinatra, men's shoes from the Golden Age of Hollywood are increasingly becoming a more popular choice for women's wear, as seen in Michael Ryder's Oxford-inspired shoes for his first collection for Celine, to Daniel W. Fletcher's sophomore collection for Mithridate.

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It's likely that wherever you are in the UK right now, you've been experiencing some less-than-ideal weather. Grey, overcast skies, chilly winds, more than enough rainfall to last the year—where exactly is the joyful spring energy we've been patiently waiting for? As it turns out, if you need a dose of dopamine to get you through the next few months, the first place you should turn is the runways.

No matter the rain in Reading or the storm clouds in Sheffield, the spring/summer 2026 shows presented plenty of outfit inspiration to get excited about. From open cardigans and puffball minis at Prada to bursting-bouquet prints at Chloé, this season, more is more, and even if it isn't time to shelve our chunky knits and jeans quite yet, when we do, it will be in celebration of the very best fashion that spring has to offer. Dresses! Skirts! Jackets! Sandals! Sorry, minimalism, but we're ready to dress for the weather we want, not the weather we have, and if we need to make an occasion out of simply leaving the house without an umbrella, so be it.

As fashion editors, we're often asked what to wear in February and March, and thankfully, at Who What Wear UK, we happen to be experts in trend forecasting. This season? It's all about spells of colour. White tees and camel trenches will never go out of style, but after the longest (and wettest) start to the year, since well, last year, we're lifting the mood with fun prints and a fresh new palette.

So, which colours are replacing black, white, grey and beige, according to designers? Expect an exciting, colourful revamp in the form of a deep berry hue, a pretty pastel, a retro throwback and the return of the most discussed colour of 2025. Intrigued? Keep scrolling for our round-up of the spring 2026 colour trends worth noting.

1. Deep Merlot

Style Notes: Burgundy, oxblood, black cherry, maroon: whatever you prefer to call it, rich, deep red is the wintery shade sticking around for spring and summer. Less intense but with the same grounding weight of black, designers made a case for the long merlot dress this season in place of the LBD. Keep things light with strappy sandals and a mini bag, and play with shapes like gathered waists, pleats and voluminous sleeves to amp up the colour's regal connotations.

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2. Ballerina Blush

Style Notes: Remember when we were all swept up in the hot-pink Barbiecore phenomenon of 2023? With that bright fuchsia all but a distant memory, 2026's take on pink is a subdued pastel that whispers rather than shouts. Chiffon skirts, lace slips and cute pumps in sugary-sweet shades breathed new life into the runways after a gothic autumn/winter season, and set the tone for Valentine's Day, along with Easter and blossom-tree season to come. The easiest way to wear the trend? Pink knits pair well with blue jeans and flats, but don't forget accessories, too!

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3. Aquamarine

Style Notes: It's not often you see pops of turquoise outside of boho jewellery or '90s clothing references, but after seeing aquamarine popping up in the Burberry, Coach, Dior, Prada, Shushu Tong and Armani shows, it's about time we gave mermaid-like tones of blue their moment in the spotlight. Surprisingly chic (especially when finished with black bows and scarves), expect to see more of this refreshing hue cropping up in the eveningwear category as gowns and shoes that are designed to turn heads.

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4. Khaki Green

Style Notes: Attention! It's not all pretty pastels and floaty fabrics; toughen up delicate layers with structured khaki pieces that nod to the colour's utility and military roots. Take particular note of Balmain, Uma Wang and Isabel Marant's head-to-toe looks as a point of reference—the supersized trousers and boxy jackets are silhouettes we're convinced will crop up time and again, but particularly around high summer when safari styling always comes back around.

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5. Lemon Sorbet

Style Notes: You guessed it, 2025's biggest colour trend is sticking around for another year, but if there's any difference at all in the pastel yellow from then and the pastel yellow now, it might be a slightly cooler undertone. Warm, sunny buttermilk cooled down to a frosty lemon sorbet at Givenchy, Issey Miyake and Stella McCartney—the perfect pop of colour against spring's clean whites, inky-blue denim and even khaki.

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Fashion's love affair with looking in the rearview mirror is a tale as old as time. The biggest runway designers frequently return to the stripped back minimalism of the '90s, the chintzy glitz of the '20s, the glam rock of the '70s, the doll-like dress sense of the '60s and the indie sleaze sensibilities of the 2000s. But for 2026, a particular period is coming back with a serious bang, ushering in a new wave of clashing brights, unabashed prints and patterns, decadent silhouettes, and dramatic accessorising. It is, of course, the '80s, and the most headline-grabbing designers went all-out on this retro mood across the runways for the spring/summer season.

From the blingy debutantes premiering at Richard Quinn to the Molly Ringwald doppelgängers at Caro Editions, the leather-clad club rats of Dario Vitale's Versace and the boho jet-set babes of Chemena Kamali's Chloé, designers hailing from Paris, Milan, London and Copenhagen leaned in to the multifaceted era of the 80s, giving it a fresh and wearable POV for today.

I've scoured the runway for the best '80s trends that 2026 has to offer, rounding them all up for you here. Whether you are in the mood to raid the fantasy closets of Madonna, Whitney, Blondie or Iman, there's a maximalist trend here for everyone. Scroll on for my 80s trend style file, complete with shopping ideas and styling tips to get you in the mood.

The 5 Biggest 80s Trends Making a Comeback in 2026, According to the Runways:

1. Show-Stopping Polka Dots

Style Notes: Thought you had seen the last of this distinct and repetitive trend? Think again! Polka dots are about to undergo yet another renaissance, courtesy of Jacquemus, Nina Ricci, Dries Van Noten and Patou. I'm seeing them, in multiples, across sheer gowns, full-length coats, fitted blazers and evening mini dresses, not only in black and white, but in dazzling primary tones, too. Clash yours with watercolour florals, pop-colour sneakers and exaggerated accessories for the full effect, time after time. Side ponytail, optional.

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2. Mix & Match Brights

Style Notes: I recently reported on the biggest colours that the runways had to offer for the spring/summer 2026 season, but the boldest of designers chose to mix and match these eye-popping shades for a thoroughly 80s take. We're talking mint green against cobalt, lemon yellow paired with frosty blue, royal purple partnering with powder pink, and lastly, chartreuse harmonising with lapis blue. Nothing is off limits, as long as the tones in the look are picked from various sides of the colour wheel. Versace, Nina Ricci, Valentino and Chloé were the purveyors of this statement-making trend and showed just how expertly it can be donned for evening ensembles. See you at the discothèque!

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3. Big Skirt Energy

Style Notes: Skirts are coming in all shapes, sizes and colours for 2026, holding a lighthearted and playful essence that only the 80s could muster. I've been tracking the rise and fall of certain hemlines for months, but it turns out, anything goes for the spring season. In Copenhagen, flippy, layered knee-length skirts took centre stage at Caro Editions, and lacy pencil peplums were all over the runway at Nicklas Skovgaard. In Paris, Balenciaga debuted drop-waist evening skirts in flowing, operatic lengths and killawatt colours (no doubt drawing inspo from their illustrious archives), and back in London, cutesy puffball minis in pastel hues had us all drooling on the FROW at Mithridate. I'm calling it now: skirt SZN is about to be full swing, and it's gone all-out 80s.

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4. Door Knocker Earrings

Style Notes: 80s style wouldn't be complete without an ostentatiously big earring, and for 2026, the most headline-grabbing runway designers honoured that in spades. Acne Studios teamed XXL gemstones with glam-rock tailoring, and over at Stella McCartney, kitschy studs accessorised big-shouldered power suiting. The ears of Saint Laurent models were decorated with hefty pearl-embellished rhinestone charms, complete with anti-paparazzi sunglasses, and for Richard Quinn, his gang of debutantes got the memo with dangly diamantés skimming their shoulders. Dare I say it: the bigger, the better.

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5. OTT Florals

Style Notes: For spring/summer 2026, the most nostalgic designers are looking to the archives for floral inspiration, favouring vintage-feel watercolour hues, all-over repeat prints, and bold, heirloom buds. Flourishing over pretty ruched blouses, body-con mini dresses, floor-skimming evening gowns and even high-summer cut-out swimsuits, too, 80s florals are cropping up all over the runways, particularly at Chloé, Rabanne, Patou and Richard Quinn. Blooming lovely!

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Unlike other facets of our wardrobe, the accessories we carry with us throughout the year aren’t as susceptible to climate-related shifts and thermal changes as categories like jeans, jackets, and shoes. However, if the spring 2026 bag trends are any indication, it’s that parting ways with your dependable carry-all that’s served you dutifully for the past few years should be something you take seriously. Why? The influx of new styles available are simply too irresistible.

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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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.

Since returning from the whirlwind that was Copenhagen Fashion Week, I've been ruminating on all the wonderful things I saw, not only on the runways, but on the streets, too. The city has become a real hotbed for emerging trends and cutting-edge designers (hello, Anne Sofie Madsen, Nicklas Skovgaard and OpéraSport!), and being in the thick of it all was not only exciting but exceedingly eye-opening.

Sitting in the front row at the shows gives me unrivalled access to the runway trends in real time, but stepping outside and racing to the next event is also a real visual treat. Copenhagen is full of style mavericks, people pushing fashion boundaries and many an early adopter. And with those same people attending the shows, it's like art imitating life.

As an eagle-eyed stylist and savvy shopper, I've come away with a real hit list of hacks, styling ideas and clever ways to wear clothes and accessories now, which I'm banking on using for my own looks. And because I don't gatekeep, I thought it best to share them with you, too, dear reader. From doubling down on simple accessories to combining delicate and tough fabrics, monochromatic dressing and playing up pop colours, I've gathered seven genius styling hacks I spotted on both the runways and streets of Copenhagen.

Scroll on to share in the styling inspo, and shop out the looks below.

The 7 Styling Hacks To Know From Copenhagen Fashion Week

1. Combine Leather and Lace

Style Notes: This pretty trend is set to dominate this spring, and the chicest dressers in Copenhagen have already caught on. Lace is the fabric and finish in question, but more interestingly, I saw it combined with glossy leather for a look equal parts soft and tough. Models walking for The Garment show wore classic tailored trousers, leather bomber jackets and sweet lace foulards tied around their shoulders, whilst at OpéraSport, I spotted a look consisting of a chocolate leather blazer, a white, lace-trimmed dress and bow-embellished pumps—just the kind of look I want to emulate this spring.

On the chilly streets, the best dressers mixed classic black leather outerwear, such as funnel-neck jackets and nipped-in blazers, with hints of bright white lace peeking out from underneath, or delicate stoles wrapped around their shoulders. This charming trend is easy to master: a trusty leather jacket combined with a delicately trimmed skirt, dress or scolloped scarf is the way to do it for spring.

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2. Double Your Belts

Style Notes: I thought I was seeing double, and, as it turns out, I was. I couldn't help noticing this styling hack on both the runways and the bitter streets of the city, and not only is it elegant, but it's pretty practical too. Belts worn in pairs cinch knitwear, trousers, miniskirts and flowing gowns, giving a waisted fit and feel.

At Anne Sofie Madsen, two chunky brown leather belts nipped in a black, flowing, sleeveless gown, finished with a cosy fringe scarf and shearling Ugg boots. Over at Paolina Russo, school-uniform-like attire was subverted with low-slung waist belts in contrasting fabrics and colours, for a pop-punk look once pioneered by Avril Lavigne. Street-style stars took things up a notch, threading their double belts through winter-white denim and over the top of colour-pop cardis. Opt for belts in similar hues and cross them over or even double-tuck the ends, or, if you're feeling spicy, choose contrasting colours or textures.

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3. Wear All Your White at Once

Style Notes: If you're a coffee drinker, scroll on now, as this vibe won't bode well for you. Copenhagen was giving serious blizzard at the start of the fashion week proceedings, and designers and street-style stars alike took note of the snowy hue that cascaded over the city. I spotted head-to-toe white looks outside every show, with fashion people matching their pillbox hats, capes, fur coats, trousers, skirts, tights, handbags and shoes in the tone Pantone is calling Cloud Dancer for 2026.

On the runways, Holzweiler and The Garment also provided palette cleansers, with frothy and ethereal layered looks all in similarly fresh and chalky hues. This styling technique is simple to imitate: pick all your items in the same colourless hue. Not only does it look extremely opulent, but it takes the mental gymnastics out of getting dressed in the morning.

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4. Top It Off With a Chic Hat

Style Notes: I, for one, am already head over heels for this fashion hack, as it just adds a knowingly stylish finish to any look, and my love affair with a certain leopard-print number is already well documented. Trust me: topping your look with a chic hat, may that be a pillbox style, a shearling fisherman shape or a beret, will take your ensemble from zero to 100 in a heartbeat.

The streets of CPH were inundated with both minimalist and maximalist dressers alike, donning weird and wonderful headwear, significantly influenced by the sub-zero temperatures and the bitter winds that take over the Danish capital this time of year. Inside, away from the treacherous weather, designers such as OpéraSport, Rave Review, The Garment and Henrik Vibskov topped runway looks with artful felted hats, shearling designs, nylon beanies, aviator hats and fuzzy trappers, suitably equipped for the autumn/winter 2026 season. However, you can pinch this look now for the very present cold snap.

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5. Clash Your Gloves

Style Notes: We've seen an uptick in all things hats, scarves and hosiery for several months, and so the next It item to undergo a style revival is the humble glove. The spring/summer 2026 shows were awash with them in bright colours, satin styles and elongated shapes, and this trend continues to ring true for autumn/winter on the streets and in the designer collections of Copenhagen. To level things up, however, the showgoers in CPH weren't going about their gauntlets gracefully. Instead, they opted for eye-popping colours and clashed them with other accessories to stunning effect.

Nicklas Skovgaard's paper-doll-like models wore pairs in kalidoscopic hues, with each model donning pop-colour, ruched leather gloves that were purposefully at odds with the pastel-toned, satin Hoff trainers. The Garment used cobalt-toned, long leather gloves in an ensemble which also featured zebra-print heeled pumps, for a striking evening look. On the cobbled streets, the sharpest of dressers picked opposing tones on the colour wheel for their gloves and corresponding accessories, favouring cool blues, teals, vibrant violets and royal purples to mix and match their accoutrements. The more clashing, the better!

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6. Finish It All With a Statement Earring

Style Notes: Jewellery is always a fabulous finishing touch to a look, and can add a decadent shine to even the simplest of outfits. Good job, then, that I spotted an assortment of great earrings in Copenhagen, a city full of fine jewellery connoisseurs. Predominantly, I noticed silver as the hardware of choice, which gave an elegant, grown-up finish to both runway and street-style looks, possessing a minimalist mood. I spotted attendees adorned in tassel-drop earrings, as well as vintage-feeling square shapes, pairing exquisitely with pillbox hats and statement outerwear.

The designer collections also delivered the goods, tapping jewellery specialists to collaborate on adorning the models for their runways. Most notably, MKDT Studio worked with local jewellers Kinraden to create wearable works of art, such as molten drop earrings, single hoops and dome-like pendants, which swung singularly on the ear.

Herskind collaborated with New York-based jewellery brand Agmes on organic-shaped earrings, mariner link pieces, oversized singular hoop structures and petal-like forms, worn with silver cuffs and pendant necklaces. Take note: silver is the precious metal du jour, but keep it pared-back, simple and chic so as to not overpower it.

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7. Toss Your Scarf Backwards

Style Notes: Sometimes, the most effortless of styling hacks is using something totally innocuous and wearing it in an entirely fresh way. Take the scarf. I have seen a steep rise in oversized styles, which are being thrown over shoulders backwards to resemble capes, adding serious drama points to a look.

Both on the icy streets and in the hallowed halls of showspaces, models and influencers alike wore XXL scarves over floor-skimming outerwear and jackets, not only protecting them from the elements, but adding serious swish factor. Plaid checks, fringed football scarves, shearling stoles and even sultry lengths of glossy leather were the fabrics of choice for the autumn/winter 2026 season, and what’s more, the styling options are limitless. Take any scarf, old or new, and have fun with it. Over the shoulder smoulder, optional.

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There's just something about Copenhagen at this time of year. Maybe it's the snow, the waft of freshly baked cardamom pastries, the all-round hygge vibes or the historic, colourful canal-side buildings. It may also be the progressive fashion scene, full of emerging labels that are firmly placing the Danish capital on the global style map, and this year, it celebrates 20 years of hosting its twice-yearly fashion week.

Wanting to check out the latter for myself, I took a trip to the city to see what all the fuss is about. London, Paris, Milan and New York are all synonymous with the fashion month sphere, but Copenhagen is demanding a seat at the table too, and home-grown brands such as Baum und Pferdgarten, Anne Sofie Madsen, and OpéraSport are showing us why. Forgoing the pomp, polish and pretentiousness that the traditional fashion circuit can sometimes possess, the labels of CPH are far more experimental, unconventional and just plain fun. There's also a real wearability to the clothes, shoes and accessories coming off the runways here, as well as a sense of joy, craft and forward-thinking, low-impact design.

Observing the shows in person is always a true pleasure, but what I indulge in the most is digesting all the runway snaps and deciphering which key styles, pieces and trends I believe will come to the fore next season. And, my oh my, did Copenhagen deliver. Read on for my style notes on the six hottest trends I observed on the runways of CPH, along with some curated shopping picks so you can get ahead of the curve now.

A special mention to Ugg for facilitating my Copenhagen experience. Mange tak!

1. All the Fur Trimmings

Style Notes: This tactile, decadent finish has been rising in the style stakes for some time, due to its luxe-looking appeal and the cosy warmth it brings. It has, without a doubt, dominated street-style trends, mostly in the way of coats and jackets, but for next winter, CPH designers are backing it in a much more detail-oriented and pared-back way. It is, of course, fur, and I took note of designers using it in faux and soft-shearling fabrications all over the runways for the autumn/ winter 2026 season. Yes, it was on outerwear, but most remarkably on trims and accessories, and, notably too, on attire destined for evening and after-dark rendezvous.

At Baum und Pferdgarten, plush brown fur stoles tied with black ribbon were worn off-kilter on the shoulders, adding a fuzzy finish to double denim and all-out leather looks, as well as floor-length velvet gowns. Over at OpéraSport, sultry off-the-shoulder evening tops were trimmed at the decollatage with matching black faux fur, and some outfits were topped with fur pillbox hats in corresponding tones.

At the immersive cocktail party runway of Gestuz, fur was everywhere, but most notably on scarves, capes, snoods, and even on the trims of leather pencil skirts (chic!). Studio Constance is famed for its shearling and leather pieces, so I was not surprised to see oversized collars and cuffs adorned with curly fur edging, as well as skirts and even kitten-heeled shoes. Proving its versatility, fur, and all of its fluffy iterations, showed just how expertly it pairs with denim, leather, velvet and tailoring, adding that soft, fluffy feel that we all gravitate towards, adding a wealth-whispering undertone to late-night ensembles.

Brands to remember: Baum und Pferdgarten; OpéraSport; Gestuz; Studio Constance.

Key takeaways: Fuzzy collars and cuffs, shearling trims, faux-fur scarves and shearling stoles.

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2. Off-Kilter Knitwear

Style Notes: Checkered cardigans, layered polo shirts, knitted dresses, oversized V-neck sweaters, asymmetric jumpers: you name it, I saw it in Copenhagen. Some of CPH Fashion Week's most subversive brands toyed with wool and knitted garments, giving them a girlish, sporty or artful spin for A/W 26. The technicolour heroine at Paolina Russo reached for bodycon or ultra-cropped cardis with an intarsia Battenberg-cake pattern, or argyle sweater vests emblazoned with Girl Scout badges.

At the Sson presentation, fine-knit V-neck sweaters were bunched up and layered with pastel-toned polos, or worn at the waist to resemble skirts. For OpéraSport, merino ribbed cardigans followed the form of the wearer, utilising wavy hem lines and lace sectioning in the hottest shades of now (hello, chartreuse, royal purple and powder pink!).

Holzweiler, the Oslo-based brand known for down jackets, ski and snow gear, as well as knitwear, doubled down on tactile knits this season, with oversized fuzzy mohair jumpers, XXL skinny knitted scarves in pop colours, layered polos in primary hues, and, my favourite, a double chenille extravanganza, made up of not one, but two softly blurred and striped polo shirts to form an almost dress-like look, which was finished with a matching skinny scarf. Whatever you do with your knitwear next season, make sure it's weird, wonderful and a little bit off-kilter.

Brands to remember: Paolina Russo; Sson; OpéraSport; Holzweiler.

Key takeaways: Checkerboard cardis, bodycon merino, double chenille.

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3. Gardening Core

Style Notes: Next season, the most discerning labels of Copenhagen are encouraging us to touch grass, or even get a little bit green-fingered. I denoted a swathe of looks which looked primed and ready for pruning prize-winning rose bushes, and with street-style maverick Jennifer Lawrence often spotted in a rubber slip-on gardening shoe for her off-duty looks, I can't help but think this trend is the new evergreen mood.

Skall Studio looked to Danish novelist Karen Blixen, inspired by both her poetry and knack for floristry, cultivating looks with real-flower corsages, knitted gloves, gum boots, heavy-duty denim, lace-trimmed prairie blouses and woven baskets for collecting cuttings. At Anne Sofie Madsen, outdoor-friendly Ugg boots and sandals were aplenty, with fringed flannel dresses resembling picnic blankets, plus heavy-duty duffle coats, shearling jackets and a recurring rose motif digging out the horticulturist in all of us.

Back at Baum und Pferdgarten, the most charming looks featured leather head scarves, apt for keeping wafts of hair at bay when busy weeding, plus a flurry of floral prints and plaid checks, ripstop two-pieces and a violet-hued barn jacket. Lastly, Aiayu drew its colour palette from the soft, organic hues found in nature, such as washed rose, undyed ecru, earthy khaki and even a rich French blue, using them across recycled silks, fine wools, and relaxed knitwear for a look which would give Monty Don a run for his money. Don't let this trend lead you down the garden path: the botanical-buff look is here to stay, and may just be perennial.

Brands to remember: Anne Sofie Madsen, Baum und Pferdgarten, Skall Studio, Aiayu.

Key takeaway: Soft hues found in nature, heavy-duty outerwear, flannel and roses.

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4. Tights Appeal

Style Notes: Hosiery has been having an outright renaissance lately, and this movement was solidified on the runways of Copenhagen Fashion Week for the A/W 26 season. I saw a flurry of legs cloaked in classic tights, plus knee-highs and over-the-knee stockings, all the way from demi-sheer to opaque colours, polka dots, lace and even stirrup styles.

Most interestingly, the tights and hosiery were not a second thought in these looks; moreover, they complemented or made them entirely. Take Caro Editions, where each model looked like they had taken a nose-dive into an '80s dressing-up box, and come up wearing acres of lace, bows, shoulder pads, silky body suits, and yes, tights in various shades of chocolate brown, white and black with all-over micro polka dots.

Paolina Russo's girl gang favourite footless tights, lacy leggings, pastel ankle warmers and knee-high, pattered tights, teaming them with mini, swishy and knitted skirts for a layered, tactile effect. The grown-up evening looks at Forza used block-colour tights for an expected note, with hues such as cool, icy blue and even pillar-box red tinting the legs of models in billowing gowns and skirts. Lastly, at Baum und Pferdgarten, purple-toned tights finished a similarly toned look for a head-to-toe Violet Beauregarde-approved ensemble.

Brands to remember: Caro Editions, Paolina Russo, Forza, Baum und Pferdgarten.

Key takeaways: Polka dots, block colours, demi-sheer and knee-high hosiery.

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5. Curtain Call

Style Notes: Here at Who What Wear UK, we have been craving all things lace, tasseled and pendant-emblazoned lately, and believe these finishing touches can take an otherwise simple outfit and make it look exceedingly expensive. Next up on our antique-feeling agenda, as verified by the most decadent of designers, is something that pulls from the world of interiors. I took note of the hottest CPH brands using curtain-like fabrics, OTT lace and ornate tapestry across dresses, skirts and outerwear, where it was gathered, tied and draped, just like the most lavish of soft home furnishings, for outfits suitable for both day and night.

At Rave Review, drop-waist skirts were the centre of attention, with granny-ish florals, fringed trims and velvety finishes. At the Taus salon show, home textiles were at the bedrock of the collection, and I spotted a handful of carpet bags, brocade corset tops, a funnel-neck, velvety two-piece and skirt-like garments made from baroque cloths. The Caro Editions finale bridal look upcycled heaps of transparent lace and silk ribbon, for a modern (and joyful!) interpretation of Miss Havisham.

Over at OpéraSport, a key look that has left an indelible mark on my mind consisted of a pair of black devoré velvet trousers and a white, pleated, cross-over poplin shirt, finished with a neutral shearling cape bordered with knotted fringing, draped over the model's shoulders, which, to me, looked like a really fab rug. Obsessed!

Brands to remember: Rave Review, Taus, Caro Editions, OpéraSport.

Key takeaways: Curtain-like fabrics, rich tapestries, lace, tasseled and bow finishes.

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6. Sheer Sensations

Style Notes: Moving on from the heavy, curtain-like fabrics of the previous trend, I identified several designers and key outfits, which indulged in something much lighter, fluid and diaphanous for the A/W 26 season. Sheer fabrics, such as gossamer, silk, organza, tulle and chiffon, were layered to create dynamic looks, evening attire and unexpected combinations, all the way from the sporty to the sultry.

The standout look from Anne Sofie Madsen consisted of a lavender-toned, ghost-like gown, transparent enough to see the layers, padding and undergarments of the model, with the skirt sailing in the wind as they strutted down the runway. MKDT used white, black and burgundy organza across minimalist blouses, tops and dresses, for an undone, but thoroughly modern, effect.

Holzweiler's sheer dresses, skirts and shirts were layered playfully, and came in colour-pop hues for a breathable, light and polished look, with semi-transparent glass handbags amplifying the sheer effect. Last but not least, Paolina Russo's models wore demi-sheer sports jerseys, worn with her pastel knitwear and hosiery for a dynamic and multifaceted finish. Sheer genius!

Brands to remember: Anne Sofie Madsen, MKDT, Holzweiler, Paolina Russo.

Key takeaways: Organza and tulle, sheer on sheer, unexpected layering.

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Despite the familiar routine of parting ways with my beloved mini hemlines and floaty dresses at the start of every winter, there always comes a point in the season when trouser fatigue starts to kick in. Fed up with wearing thermal leggings underneath tailored styles and trying every conceivable configuration of ‘jeans and a nice top’ formulas possible, it’s high time I turn my eye elsewhere and look for another item to suit my cold-weather wardrobe. Enter: leather pants.

Formerly synonymous with the on-stage looks of bad hair metal bands or tacky dress-up parties, leather pants have come leaps and bounds in terms of their place in the fashion landscape. (Because who could forget David and Victoria Beckham’s matching monochromatic Gucci leather looks that they wore to the opening of the Versace Club on New Bond Street in 1999?)

Now, leather pants outfits are ubiquitous as a leather jacket from The Frankie Shop or a leather bag from The Row. They say fortune favours the bold, and it appeared, at least for a time, that only those who possessed an unparalleled amount of gumption would be daring enough to consider wearing a pair of leather pants. But as far more risqué pieces became normalised in more casual settings, it’s hardly surprising to see leather pants become prominent amongst the off-duty set.

So, why am I all of a sudden keen to follow suit? Simply put, it’s an ensemble that always looks considered, bound to keep you warm and requires very little thought into styling. The runways have proved time and time again, from the cropped pair worn by Amber Valletta in the aforementioned Italian maison’s spring/summer 1996 collection to the ultra-fitted style featured in Ann Demeulemeester’s landmark autumn/winter 2023 collection.

More recently, Chloé produced hip-grazing leather pants in muted moss and soil tones for its grungy-bohemian autumn/winter 2025 collection, evoking this sort of countryside chaos that complemented the faux-tail bag charms and aristocratic trench coats that appeared throughout the presentation. Even Posh Spice herself updated the style in her spring/summer 2026 collection by presenting a pair of deep indigo leather pants designed to imitate denim. All this to say, there’s no shortage of chic leather pant outfits to convince you to invest in the style.

As for styling, there are many looks to take cues from. Lean into the simplicity of the cut and let the texture do the talking by pairing it with an equally architectural top from the likes of Christopher Esber or Y/Project. Or, embrace your inner Trinity from The Matrix and opt for head-to-toe leather by teaming the bottoms with a tighter jacket and heeled black boots.

Both approaches have already been endorsed by members of the celebrity style set, with Gigi Hadid often spotted out wearing the former look and Hailey Bieber regularly seen in the latter, meaning you’ll be in good company, irrespective of how you wear them.

But if you’re still in need of inspiration, keep scrolling below for the 5 chicest leather pants outfits I’m copying in 2026 and beyond.

5 Chic Leather Pants Outfit Ideas to Recreate in 2026

1. Collarless Leather Jacket + Leather Straight-Leg Pants + Pointed-Toe Heels

Style Notes: Whilst the costumes worn by Keanu Reeves in the previously stated seminal sci-fi film might’ve made full leather looks popular in the mainstream, it was actually Tom Ford who first pioneered the silhouette in industry circles. Here, Elsa Hosk proves exactly why this look is so heavily imitated by wearing a pair of straight-leg leather pants with a vintage jacket designed by the Texan-born creative director. Teaming it with a pair of ‘90s-inspired rimless glasses, this look is proof that good things will never date.

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2. Trench Coat + Leather Leggings + Ballet Flats

Style Notes: Leather is a fabric that’s rarely associated with comfort, but thanks to innovation in vegan leather and softer, synthetic blends, it’s incredibly common to see the material in more languid environments. Lean into the effortlessness of the texture by pairing it with equally fuss-free staples, like a classic white t-shirt and polished trench coat.

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3. Graphic T-Shirt + Low-Rise Leather Pants + Heeled Mules

Style Notes: Bella Hadid’s street style moments have always been some of the most pioneering amongst her cohort. Always one to tackle the unconventional and make it covetable—librarian glasses, gorpcore, Y2K 2.0, you get the gist—it should come as no surprise to see leather pants as something she’d gravitate towards. Approaching the trousers with a playful attitude, she’s paired the piece with a statement-making graphic tee, horsebit-adorned heeled mules and an Hermés Birkin worth more than my salary.

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4. Bomber Jacket + Wide-Leg Leather Pants + Heeled Sandals

Style Notes: In an era of ostentatious dressing, there’s nothing more fitting than piling textured piece upon textured piece. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley made this apparent in this sumptuous outfit, which consists of wide-leg trousers from Bottega Veneta and a fluffy bomber jacket from Phoebe Philo.

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5. Zip-Up Leather Jacket + Flared Leather Pants + Backless Heels

Style Notes: Whilst visiting London, Hailey Bieber proved why leather pants have become an essential part of any West End girl’s daily attire. Here, she’s pictured shopping through Marylebone in Balenciaga’s black leather racer jacket and matching black leather flared five-pocket pants from the luxuriate’s Spring 2023 collection. Her message? When in doubt, double down.

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How much can change in a year? If the fashion trends that feel inherently dated for 2026 are any form of measurement, it’s quite a lot, actually. It’s true, the sonic speed at which the trend cycle moves these days often has viral silhouettes or specific fads falling out of fashion’s favour sooner than you can say trompe-l'œil. (Remember that trend that tricked the eye into thinking leather shirts were made of leather at Bottega Veneta or the clothes that had bodies and other garments printed onto them for Glenn Martens’s takeover at Jean Paul Gaultier haute couture?)

It might feel soon to tell which cuts and colours are already entering early retirement to the untrained eye. Yet, as a fashion writer who has made a career of chronicling consumer data, previewing new season collections and understanding the machinations of how this industry works, knowing these things is not only a prerequisite for staying ahead, but my job.

So, what does 2026 have in store for us, and what are the styles that certainly won’t be getting as much airtime over the next 12 months? After the reign of quiet luxury, shoppers are looking for new and exciting pieces to invest in. These are styles that offer the same longevity, but aren’t as demure and toned-down as we’ve seen previously. Others are looking to buck this trend entirely, looking to vintage stylings as far back as the Victorian era for inspiration. Most are bidding buying into “—cores” adieu, and for good.

All in all, 2026 is promising a mode of fashion that’s ornate, joyful and coherent. As we inch towards the turn of the decade, consider the year ahead to be one that’s distilled everything we’ve loved about the past five years of fashion and disregarded everything that’s proven controversial or problematic. (See: Becoming a micro trend final boss). Without further ado, scroll on for the 7 key fashion trends that appear dated and the styles that feel relevant instead, ahead.

7 Fashion Trends That Feel "Dated" in 2026

1. Passing On: Jelly Sandals

1. Wearing Instead: Wedge Trainers

Style Notes: Despite originating in the ‘80s, jelly sandals returned with a vengeance over the past summer, with high-octane heeled versions from Chloé, mellow and luxurious slip-on styles from The Row and sickly-sweet flip-flop iterations from Ancient Greek Sandals. Whilst I’d contend that this gelatinous and textured footwear style is wading into “timeless” territory, it’s arguably no longer the shoe trend du jour, which is why I’m predicting they’ll be put on pause during the warmer months ahead.

If we were to look at which hybrid shoe trend—one of the biggest categories to boom over the past few years—is just starting to peak, you’d notice that wedge trainers are certainly the most viral. With Isabel Marant’s iconic pair on the feet of nepo baby scions like Romy Mars and Blue Ivy, Puma’s Wedge Speedcats already on their second release after selling out immediately after their launch and Chloé’s boxer-meets-ballerina Kick style gaining traction, this is one trend you’ll assuredly see nonstop throughout the entire year.

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2. Passing On: Sardine Girls

2. Wearing Instead: Poet Core

Style Notes: We’ve officially hit micro-core fatigue, with the last niche aesthetic, a mania that swept the first half of the 2020s, taking the form of the “sardine girl” trend. (Tinned fish forever, but may I please implore you to stop dressing like a can of Ortiz.) Replacing these hyperspecific and style-led subcultures is a return to third spaces and physical media through acts like journaling, collecting, writing and participating in community book clubs.

2026 will be a continuation of this mode, with more people reflecting this newfound interest in literature, semiotics and publishing through their wardrobes. Coined by social media app Pinterest as part of their annual predictive trend report as “poet core”, this trend is part academic and part preppy. It’s time for Donna Tartt’s The Secret History hive to rise up…

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3. Passing On: Mob Wives

3. Wearing Instead: Sciura Dressing

Style Notes: If you purchased a faux fur coat in the midst of the “mob wife aesthetic” pandemonium that engulfed the latter half of 2024, you’re in luck! Instead of dressing like the spouses or mistresses of Italian-American mafiosos like Carmela Soprano or Adriana La Cerva, 2026 will have you returning to their country of origin and garbed with far more elegance. Enter: “sciura dressing”.

For the uninitiated, “sciura” is an Italian word that refers to well-heeled and well-dressed elderly women who live in Milan. They are always put-together and exceptionally sophisticated, often sporting a bouffant bob, a string of pearls and a silk scarf. The acme of this trend, in my humble opinion, will always be Miuccia Prada. And it appears the 76-year-old designer knows her sartorial impact well after she presented a very socialite-forward range for Miu Miu’s autumn/winter 2025 collection. These might be ladies who lunch in ornamental brooches and bracelets, but you can bet they’ll be ordering a portion of Rigatoni all' Amatriciana.

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4. Passing On: Pastel Shades

4. Wearing Instead: High Saturation

Style Notes: Forget what Pantone said, 2026 will be the year of vibrant palettes. Dialling up the saturation, tones will veer away from muted and neutral pigments and steer towards the most intensified and lurid versions of themselves.

Where calming and tranquil pastels once reigned supreme, bold and brash hues will usurp them in a way that acts as a sort of factory reset for the understated and quietly luxurious approach to style that dominated in recent years. Swap buttery yellow for bratty chartreuse, deluxe pinot for plumped-up aubergine and powder blue for Yves Klein’s signature shade, and you’re set.

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5. Passing On: Boat Shoes

5. Wearing Instead: Derbies

Style Notes: In the vein of “poet core”, preppy fashion is also undergoing a transformation. Instead of suede-lined and tassel-adorned boat shoes, the fashion set is gravitating towards derbies instead. Switching the yacht deck for something more inherently librarian in tone is in line with this wider pull towards written works.

It also speaks to our collective interest towards more glamorous and ornate styles of dress. Taking cues from the menswear of the early ‘30s and the womenswear of the late ‘50s, these are shoes that convey refinement, practicality and sophistication in spades.

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6. Passing On: Eclectic Grandpa

6. Wearing Instead: Indie Sleaze

Style Notes: I might be encouraging everyone to dress like an elderly Italian grandmother, but I can’t extend the same latitude to the grandfathers. Or, at least the “eclectic grandpa” trend.

Fusing striped knits with oversized wire-frame sunglasses and tailored trousers, the trend has certainly faded into obsolescence since we’ve revived our interest in the “indie sleaze aesthetic.” Because who wants to stay at home knitting when you can hit the club?

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7. Passing On: ‘70s Bohemia

7. Wearing Instead: ‘80s Power Dressing

Style Notes: Put the Rumours record down. After Chemena Kamali made her splashy debut with Chloe’s spring/summer 2024 collection presentation, bohemian fever certainly spiked. Now, after a period of tiered dresses, ruffle trims and sheer fabrics, the ‘70s are giving way to the ‘80s.

Indeed, power dressing is back, bringing with it a rise in oversized suiting, sleek pencil skirts and voluminous hair. It’s less Daisy Jones & The Six and more Madonna, though still deeply rooted in nostalgia.

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The runways are always chock-full of new ideas on what to wear and how to wear it, but the spring 2026 collections felt somehow even more ripe for the picking than usual. It seemed like designers were firing on all cylinders, and there were very few collections I saw that didn't immediately inspire me to look at my own closet with a completely new perspective. After studying the runways in New York, Milan and Paris and reporting on the major spring trends, creative director debuts, and seasonal It colours to know, I'm going back through the galleries again, this time with the goal in mind of cherry-picking the details that I want to implement into my own outfits, starting, well, right now.

To me, some of the strongest spring collections were the ones that didn't attempt to reinvent the wheel, but inspired innovative ways to wear some of the most essential core pieces. At Celine, that looked like silk scarves, which were tied over jackets and layered elegantly underneath the collar of trench coats. At Khaite, blazers weren't worn traditionally but instead with the lapels flipped up to create a sort of mock funnel neck silhouette. None of them involves trends that pushed the needle. As you'll see ahead, each of these styling ideas features items we all probably have in our closets already.

Dresses over pants! Scarves tucked into coat collars! Innovative colour combinations! Here, discover the seven S/S 2026 styling ideas that have me rifling through my wardrobe to put together combinations I would have never thought of before now.

Spring Styling Ideas I'm Copying From the 2026 Runways:

1. Silk Scarves Tied Underneath Blazers

Style Notes: In both the spring 2026 and summer 2026 collections, satin scarves stole the show. They featured prominently throughout many looks where they were tied over and under blazers and layered around the collars of trench coats. The ideas were seemingly endless and made me look at my collection of vintage silk scarves in a completely new light. I'm inspired to try them all, but ultimately, the one I'm most excited to re-create first is wearing a printed scarf around the neck with a structured blazer. It's simple in theory but so sophisticated in practice.

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2. Leggings With Flats

Style Notes: We may be shifting away from wearing leggings as trousers in 2026 (and even wearing leggings at all), but if you must wear a pair of black leggings, then look no further than Altuzarra's idea on how to make them look utterly elegant and chic. The key is to pair them with items that are on the opposite end of the athletic spectrum, most importantly, a pair of sleek, pointed-toe flats. Layering on an ankle-length trench coat creates a lengthening effect that feels intentional. While underneath the coat is a choose-your-own-adventure type of situation, Altuzarra has the right idea with the choice of a great blazer.

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3. Sweaters Tied Around the Waist

Style Notes: In 2026, we're wearing our sweaters anywhere but actually on our bodies. Draped over the shoulders, yes, but perhaps even more on-trend is wearing a knit tied around the waist. At Kallmeyer, not just one, but two striped sweaters were styled around the waist of a relaxed pantsuit, giving the tailoring a relaxed, lived-in feel that's easy, insouciant, and cool as can be. The best part about this styling idea is that there are few instances where it doesn't work: deploy it with trousers, jeans, skirts, and even dresses to give any look a more informal air.

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4. Blazers With the Collar Upturned

Style Notes: Hello, blazers, meet your 2026 destiny. Since I know we're all owners of at least one classic blazer, you'll want to keep this cost-free styling idea in mind. Instead of wearing it traditionally, try the Khaite-approved move and flip up the lapels to create a new silhouette that feels more akin to a trending funnel-neck jacket. It's modern, sleek, and transforms the blazers in your closet that may have been starting to feel stale.

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5. Double Pendant Necklaces

Style Notes: What's even better than wearing a cool pendant necklace? Wearing two. According to Michael Kors, it's time to double down on the trending accessory for a modern boho approach (even better if one of them is a wallet pendant, which we saw in so many of the New York shows this season) to create an interesting and dynamic look. I'll be tapping into Kors' classic outfit base of a button-down shirt and black trousers, and using the necklaces to make my wardrobe staples feel very 2026.

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6. V-Neck Sweaters Over Button-Downs

Style Notes: Twenty-twenty-six is set to be the year of preppy fashion, and Toteme is responsible for the prep-inspired way everyone will be wearing their sweaters next year, aka layered over a contrasting button-down shirt. Now this works whether you wear it with a crewneck or V-neck, but there's just something so chic and intentional about the latter, especially when the knit is on the fitted side as Toteme's interpretation.

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7. A Pop of Cerulean

Style Notes: I've said it once, and I'll say it again: Cerulean, or Capri blue, is the 2026 colour trend to know. It might even be the *only* color trend to know for next season, but only time will tell. So many designers tapped into the oceanic hue, but it was Tory Burch whose idea is inspiring me the most. The runway featured looks with just a singular pop of the bright-blue colour, where it was paired with more muted tones like navy and stone blue. If, like me, you're hesitant to go beyond neutrals, this is one way to add the punchy colour to your outfits in a way that still feels approachable.

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Contrary to popular belief, trends don’t just come into existence out of nowhere. They’re conjured up months in advance of when you actually see them cropping up on the streets and in stores, decided upon based on shopping insights, consumer data, media engagement and the magic that is a designer’s intuition. In the case of the satin trainer trend, however, it almost did feel sprung upon us.

Or, at least that is my own experience after spying them in the flesh on a whim in a scenario that feels ripped right from the pages of a Richard Curtis screenplay. Indeed, during a winter’s stroll in central London, I wandered into Selfridges' luxury floor and came face-to-face with a shoe trend that truly took my breath away. It was something right out of Love Actually, but instead of Emma Thompson’s mindless perusal through the boutique racks, I found myself staring down a pair of satin Miu Miu trainers hidden away inside the iconic department store.

It felt kismet, like everything I had ever done had led me to discover this secret gem. So, you can only imagine my surprise when I suddenly saw the same pair crop again on the feet of a stylish content creator the next day when I was aimlessly scrolling through Instagram. And again, when I was perusing the new in section of leading online fashion stores like MyTheresa and Farfetch.

Now, I don’t usually believe in love at first sight, especially when sartorial affairs of the heart were concerned, but the act of seeing these sumptuous satin trainers in quick succession after never noticing them previously felt like no coincidence.

Was this the admiration people talk about when they feel like they’ve found a forever piece? I’m usually one to be more pragmatic with my investments, deciding to bite the bullet and purchase something only after I’ve undergone the tedious mental arithmetic of working out the cost per wear and the precise number of pieces they could be paired with. But as a fashion writer who has made their passion for shopping and love for identifying covetable and nascent styles, you can surely sympathise with how besotted I became with the style.

It’s a desire that my chic colleagues can attest to, after rushing back to my desk to share my eureka moment and proclaim that this exact fabric and shoe shape would soon be everywhere. Which brings us here; explaining to you, dear reader, not only my logic, but the rationale for why satin trainers are the latest shoe trends to back.

Of course, part of this harks back to what I was saying about trusting someone’s gut instincts. As someone who has worked in the industry for over half a decade, it takes a lot for me to feel genuinely excited about something bubbling up on the horizon. This is especially as I know what it takes to manufacture a trend, with celebrity endorsements often paid for and never an accident.

And when it comes to trainers, I hate to say it, but I’ve always found the practical silhouette somewhat dull as a category. I can admire how sneakers have become a fashion staple in their own right. Still, I’d much rather covet something more charming or beautiful. Therein lies part of the appeal of satin trainers. Whilst retro, low-profile and technical iterations have reigned supreme in recent months, this style feels like the antithesis of the functional versions that serve as prototypes for the genre. They’ll still provide orthopaedic support and enable you to clock in thousands of steps, but the delicate satin finish offers a darling and saccharine element that sets them apart from their competitors.

Who else but Miuccia Prada to show this best? As a stringent acolyte of hers, it doesn’t take a lot to convince me that her subversive and intellectual approach to fashion is superior. In fact, on a recent trip to Florence, I resolved to spend a day at the Prada outlet instead of exploring the Tuscan city’s rich art galleries and cathedrals, imagining the sprawling discounted store as my own personal wardrobe to shop from.

For the uninitiated, Mrs. Prada is truly one of the most cerebral creative directors working today, meaning that everything she produces to be incredibly considered, pondered over and refined. Offering up a pair of satin trainers is by no means an accident, but a thoughtful successor to Miu Miu’s viral satin ballet flats that debuted on the brand’s autumn/winter 2022 collection all those years ago.

Again, I say this to stress the point that there is no twist of fate when it comes to style, as at the same time Miu Miu was gearing up for the style’s release, Prada was also offering its own version of the trend on its orange-coated spring/summer 2026 runway. Alongside utilitarian silhouettes that distilled the brand’s more artistic side into a palatable look at conservative fashion and purposeful clothing, the legendary Milanese designer was offsetting these restrictive totes with darling sneakers that offered a lightness and elegance.

Another view is that satin, after a period where suede and leather dominated, was just the next logical material to utilise and make popular. Sure, there’s that too, but I’d rather take a kinder look at the trend and argue it injects an ethereal and glamorous element into ensembles during a time where dressing feels entirely ascetic. With this trend, we need not compromise on comfort for the sake of wearing something beautiful. Our austere uniform of funnel-neck jackets and straight-leg jeans can remain; it’s just about swapping out a stiffer shoe for something soft and polished.

Researching this piece, I’ve already noticed quite a lot of brands take up this mantle, with Dries Van Noten producing airy and glossy iterations of its viral trainer, to Grace Wales Bonner embracing this smooth texture in her latest collaboration with Adidas. Call it what you want, but there is no denying that satin trainers are on the precipice of having a big moment. Intrigued to follow suit? Ahead, I’ve compiled the best satin trainers currently available to shop for you to embrace this trend yourself. And when you see them out and about, remember that love, or a love for style at least, is actually all around.

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Whilst fashion has always been a hotbed for discord, it certainly feels like one segment of the industry is stoking the ire of the internet more so than any others; the 2026 colour fashion trends.

Colours have always been at the centre of the most outdated style rules. (No mixing of navy and blue! White is best suited for the summer! Neon colours should be left in the '80s!) Yet, the leading colours set to define the year ahead have been marred in more controversy than ever before.

From Pantone dubbing a "billowy, airy, and serene off-white" as the 2026 colour of the year from Pinterest predicting lurid tones like "wasabi green" and "plum noir" as the shades that will dominate the next 12 months, the latter of which are closely similar to the tones foretold by New York-based fashion analyst, trend forecaster and content creator Mandy Lee, it's safe to say a lot of confusion surrounds what colour trends will actually come to fruition in 2026.

We here at Who What Wear UK thrive in this kind of uncertainty. Instead of being dictated by data, statistical insights, consumer shopping habits or any sort of digital material, we've always found that the trends that make the biggest impact are the ones determined in real life and exhibited by real people. We pride ourselves on paying close attention to what those living in fashion capitals and international tastemakers wear on a daily basis, whether it be whilst visiting a local café or stepping out on a press tour.

So, when we've already begun to notice a few of these so-called 2026 colour trends begin to crop up in the wild, you can rest assured that we took good notice. Of course, we can't do this alone, as, with most things in the industry, the runways are always a good barometer of what's to come, too. After all, what we see in new-season designer collections will ultimately be the designs worn by style luminaries in a few months' time.

For the uninitiated, the spring/summer 2026 shows were a hotbed of inspiration, and brought with them a new wave of palettes, hues and finishes which will no doubt permeate our desires in a mere few months. Poppy red and expensive aubergine are both part of the new cohort of colours on the rise, but there are also a few others that I just have to tell you about now, before they hit the mainstream.

I've been taking a deep dive into fashion's biggest players, including Alaïa, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta and Stella McCartney, to explore which tones they're favouring for 2025, so consider this your sneak peek at what the year has to bring in terms of colour. From head-turning tones like vibrant chartreuse, canary yellow, vibrant purple, candy pink and rich teal, to the palette-cleansing hue of "cloud-dancer" white, this scheme of shades will be sure to add a saturated appeal to your Monday-to-Friday looks, and your off-duty 'fits, too.

Scroll on to get the lowdown on the biggest colour trends that 2026 has to offer, plus a little bit of shopping inspiration to help you get ahead of the curve.

The 7 Biggest Colour Trends of 2026

1. Icy Blue

Style Notes: Feeling blue? Don't let the year's frosty beginnings and depressive winter weather keep you from dressing up, with the runways and red carpets indicating a penchant for this specific shade of icy blue. Perhaps an indication of where we are as a culture, this polar shade might have you channelling your inner Snow Queen as a response to the precarious times we're living in. Consider this shade like a form of sartorial resistance, because there is truly nothing more intimidating than walking around dressed cold-heartedly.

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2. Chartreuse Green

Style Notes: It might've been a quarter of a century since pop diva Kylie Minogue brought chartreuse to the mainstream with her bit part as the Green Fairy in 2001's Moulin Rouge!, but as they say, good things come to those who wait. A tone that's as polarising as it is inescapable, the chartreuse reign feels like a natural successor to the Brat green tone pioneered by Charli XCX in 2024, but with a slightly more yellow undertone. Some consider it ghastly, some don't consider it at all. But irrespective of where you stand, there is no denying it's quite hypnotic. Plus, in a world that's constantly threatened by the intersection of man and machine, the hyper-virtual undertow of this shade feels like the perfect shade to represent the glitch-in-the-matrix sensation of now.

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3. Vibrant Purple

Style Notes: I profiled the rise of expensive aubergine this year, and for the new season, this shade is getting a bit of a facelift. I'm seeing a much richer, vintage-inspired, decadent hue push it from the top spot, which I'm calling it vibrant purple. A little bit '80s with a splash of royal, aristocratic flavour, it's a shade which feels both luxurious and fun. It dominated some of the most headline-grabbing shows, including Balenciaga, Burberry, Valentino and Chloé, and worked beautifully in head-to-toe looks or with the odd floral thrown in. It's already making the waves amongst the street style set, too, with both Zoë Kravitz and Jennifer Lawrence incorporating the colour into their winter accessories. To dial it back, it pairs exquisitely with sand, taupe and beige, but if you're adventurous, canary yellow complements it delightfully.

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4. "Cloud-Dancer" White

Style Notes: Cloud Dancer has been named Pantone's Colour of the Year for 2026. This light and bright-white hue leans slightly into natural putty territory, and it's your sign to start 2026 as a clean break. This really couldn't be more apt, as we all desire to go into the new season with a fresh perspective and a clear palette. Cloud Dancer is a chance to unshackle from the grey days of winter and enter the year ahead with an open mind and little visual distraction. Do you have a minimalist personal style? Look to Bottega, Pauline Dujancourt, Dior and Noon By Noor, who all embraced this pillowy-soft tone on the runways, across dresses, suits and accessories.

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5. Canary Yellow

Style Notes: Butter yellow had us all salivating over the summer. For 2026, enter its natural upgrade, which I'm calling canary yellow. This eye-catching tone is brilliant, full contrast and intense, and some of fashion's biggest labels gave it serious airtime on the runways. Bottega, McQueen, Loewe and Tove all dipped their toes in, with all other colours paling in comparison. If you're ready to let the canary sing, pair it with beige, or even citrusy orange for your spring/summer ensembles.

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6. Candy Pink

Style Notes: Powder pink reigned supreme in 2025, but for 2026, its not-too-distant cousin is entering the chat. Candy pink, a more strikingly sweet and drool-worthy shade, is what I took note of on the runways for spring. Fresh and undoubtedly pretty, it packs a stronger punch than its predecessor, popping down the catwalks of Stella McCartney, Patou, N°21 and Blumarine, on dresses, suits and shoes. It can be toughened up with charcoal grey, chrome and patent black. It's the chicest way to do pink.

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7. Rich Teal

Style Notes: Not blue and not green, this mysterious mix of both raced down some of the biggest runways this season, predominantly on coats, jackets and suiting. Rich teal permeated the collections of Alaïa, Saint Laurent, Acne Studios and Loewe; labels that pride themselves on the bold use of colour season after season. It's the sort of hue that just reads expensive. I see this tone working well in monochromatic looks, but it also complements black, chocolate brown and, if you're feeling extra peacock-y, pillar-box red.

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If there's one thing that we can all agree on in the Who What Wear offices, it's that a great handbag is always a worthy investment. The handbag is the key accessory we all turn to on an almost daily basis, to haul our daily essentials, be that for our Monday-to-Friday or weekend plans. It's a real statement of intent, and can give an outfit intention, character and sophistication.

I've been taking note of all of the biggest trends for spring/ summer 2026, first, accessories, shoes, and now, handbags. I'm seeing the rise and rise of exaggerated animal prints, XXL fringing, ludicrously capacious business bags, luxe denim fabrications and sultry suede styles all over the runways, and so I have compiled the best of the best here. Whichever handbag you pick for the new season, make sure it's doing the hard work for you.

Ready to walk into the room purse first? Scroll on for my edit of the best bag trends on offer for 2026, and some curated shopping picks to give you a taste of what's to come.

The Biggest Handbag Trends for 2026:

1. Animal Kingdom

Style Notes: Animal print is making a major comeback, along with a desire to dress up, show off, and turn heads. Handbags are getting in on the action for 2026, with loud, proud and eye-catching, exotic-feeling finishes coming to the fore, particularly on lady-like, top-handle and chain shoulder strap styles. Khaite, Valentino, Balenciaga and The Attico paired leopard, zebra and snake bags with pared-back, monochromatic looks to let the handbag itself do the talking. Meow!

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2. XXL Fringing

Style Notes: I spotted countless fringed handbags on the runways this coming season, so know this will be a major trend. Acne Studios, Stella McCartney, Burberry and McQueen exhibited this trim best, in real and faux leather fabrications on oversized shoulder bags and clutches, too. Notably, this embellishment was prominent on neutral-toned bags, to keep things chic, stylish and classic. Fringes were exaggerated and often floor-skimming. This is boho, 2.0.

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3. Big Business Bags

Style Notes: Ludicrously capacious bags are so back, and they mean business. Looking for your next work bag? Then this is the trend for you. Bottega Veneta, Loewe, Ferragamo and Fendi are bossing big, beautiful corporate-friendly bags, in grey croc-effect, smooth black leather and sumptuous suedes for SS26, so you can be ready to strut back into the office in style. Boasting enough space for your laptop, phone, and Monday-to-Friday haul, this trend is for the maximalists.

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4. Tobacco Suede

Style Notes: I've spotted a distinct return to a particular hue on suede handbags, and that shade is tobacco brown. Sweeping over small top-handle, belted and clutch bags alike, this sultry, sepia tone gives an exceedingly expensive appeal, especially when teamed with shiny silver hardware. Acne Studios, Chanel, Dior and Moschino were the labels to give this fabric and finish real merit, teaming handbags with similarly toned looks, or, surprisingly, grey ensembles for 2026.

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5. Blue Jean Bags

Style Notes: Lana del Rey's song, 'Blue Jeans', instantly comes to mind when observing this hard-working, vintage-feel trend. Runway designers, including Ferrari, Zimmermann, Coach and Acne Studios, are looking to denim to kit out handbags for 2026, for shoulder, cross-body, clutch and cylindrical styles, too. Brass hardware and classic brown and black leather finishes complete the look. Pair with full denim looks to double down on this trend.

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Are you excited for the new season? Because I certainly am! Taking a look at the spring/summer 2026 shows, and the array of handbags, shoes and accessories on offer really gets me chomping at the bit for the new year ahead, and all of the styling opportunity that comes with it.

Not only do I like to write about the trends each season, but, luckily, I get to work with them in the flesh, too—styling celebs, models, and even my fellow editors for photoshoots, try-ons and cover stories. In the run-up to these styling projects, I find myself frantically pinning, saving down and screenshotting all of the trends I see. Right now, I am focusing my efforts on accessories, as these are the finishing touches I know that can make or break a look.

I'm seeing emerging trends across Paris, London, Milan and New York that I know will go mainstream in 2026. From belts, jewellery, sunglasses and gloves, these finer details give real character, direction, and punctuation to an outfit, taking it from boring to a masterpiece.

I'm sharing my findings with you below, as I don't like to gatekeep. Scroll on to see my biggest accessories trends for 2026, and how to shop the styles now.

The Biggest Accessories Trends for 2026:

1. Shield Sunglasses

Style Notes: Tiny, rounded, bookish sunglasses and spectacles are out. Big, bug-like, and sporty eyewear is in. I spotted this trend take shape at some of the top labels showing in Paris and New York, such as Coach, Saint Laurent, Victoria Beckham and Loewe, indicating that the demand for oversized eye protection has gone global. I think this trend works best with tortoiseshell frames to keep things a little bit classic, and smoked-out, tinted lenses to give that paparazzi-fleeing factor.

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2. Celestial Crystals

Style Notes: Celestial fashion has gone viral, and I am taking note of this trend waving its sparkling hand over earrings, necklaces and hair accessories, too. XXL crystals, bursts of silver, tangles of fine chains and asymmetrical gems resemble galaxies and nebulae far, far away—and I'm all for it. Simona Rocha, Chanel, Givenchy and Dries Van Noten handled this trend best, adding eye-catching jewellery to otherwise simple looks and garments, such as trench coats, tuxedo shirting and t-shirts, for a final, twinkling flourish.

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3. Utility Belts

Style Notes: Historically, I don't think belts get enough airtime. That is all to change in 2026, as designers look to give this accessory a serious rebrand. I've noted some of fashion's biggest players adding utility features, such as clips, key chains, phone holders, and even AirPod cases to belts, making them more useful and more stylish than ever. And hold the boring black belts. Runway brands such as Toga, Miu Miu, Meryll Rogge and Coperni are bringing us pop-colour tones, braided fabrications, and chunky buckles, as well as even doubling up on belts, further cementing this accessory as something which can be fun, playful and all the while, functional.

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4. Princess Gloves

Style Notes: Princess treatment, or bare minimum? I know which one I prefer! This humble accessory is going full girlie for 2026, with lace, sequins, satin and pastel tones coming to the fore, giving a pretty, lady-like touch to dresses and skirt outfits. Yes, gloves were the item du jour on the runways for spring/summer 2026, with Valentino, Simone Rocha, Yuhan Wang and Prada showing us how it's done. I believe this trend taps into the desire to dress up, get glam and put on your most decadent togs, so add this mood to your 2026 vision board if you're ready to take up the gauntlet. Pun intended!

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5. Chunky Chains

Style Notes: Another jewellery trend, if you will. I took note of extra-large, chunky chain motifs taking over at Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Celine and Chanel (four of fashion's most in-demand brands), across necklaces and statement earrings. One part surrealist, two parts maximalist, but 100% glamorous. Add an unexpected twist to your daytime looks by mixing gold and silver, twisted knots, oval links and industrial feel chains into your jewellery rotation. Into heavy metal? This one's for you.

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November 2025 marks Who What Wear UK’s 10th birthday. Yes, we’ve been writing about the trends to take note of, the luxury pieces worth investing in, the beauty heroes and hacks we can’t wait to share and the outfits the team have been rotating for a whole decade! We hope you’ve enjoyed reading our stories as much as we’ve loved creating them. To celebrate the occasion, you’ll find a range of special ten-year-anniversary content across the site this month, from retrospective looks at the biggest fashion moments to the couples who defined the decade and the products that have earned true cult status. Keep an eye out for our 10th-birthday badge and enjoy the milestone with us! Thank you for being part of our story so far.

To celebrate Who What Wear UK's 10th birthday, we had to take a look back at the most iconic fashion week moments that have captivated us over the past decade. Over the years, we've seen it all, having attended countless runway shows in London, Paris, Milan and New York, reviewed numerous collections and revelled in (and shopped!) the biggest trends each season brought. What fun!

Our all-seeing fashion eye has picked apart every show from 2015 till now, and we've curated the best-of list. From the return of '90s supermodels at Versace to an endless pink runway at Jacquemus and seeing double at Gucci, there have been so many jaw-dropping moments, but only 10 could make the cut. It's not up for debate: these are the 10 most iconic runway shows of the past 10 years. Let's get into it!

The 10 Most Iconic Fashion Runways from the Past Decade

1. Chanel A/W 17

Karl Lagerfeld's tenure at Chanel delivered so many iconic moments, and one of the most impressive shows in recent memory was staged at Paris's famous Grand Palais. From a hyper-real supermarket to a man-made beach and an Arctic landscape to a Parisienne brasserie, nothing was too ambitious for Lagerfeld's wild imagination. Our favourite, however, was the space-station set for the women's autumn/winter 2017 show, complete with a Chanel-emblazoned rocket ship, which seemingly took off through the ceiling as models wore NASA-inspired looks. Think silver glittery boots, classic boucle twin sets and galaxy-print dresses as Elton John's "Rocket Man" played through the speakers. Beyond!

2. Versace S/S 18