It’s been a fascinating year in fashion. Brat green became butter yellow and then chocolate brown. Dainty jewellery was replaced with chunky, statement pieces. Animal print became cool again, and so did balloon pants, ’90s style East-West bags, and preppy print. Minimalism and the “old money aesthetic” have dwindled while we swing back into bold, loud, maximalist fashion. Or at least that’s what the latest runways last season have told us. We’re also most likely to see two eras of fashion become trendy again: the 1980s and 2016. Over the past year, nostalgia for 2016 has been rampant online, with many expressing a desire to go back to the days of sepia filters and blue ombre hair. Whereas ‘80s style silhouettes, colours, and preppy style have also been on the rise this past year. With both eras in mind, we round up the 2026 fashion trends set to take over.
Animal Print Continues
This year, we got every wild animal—and the demure cow—in the form of shoes, coats, pants, and tops. In 2026, we’re likely to see this trend continue in the form of fur jackets and small leather goods.
Oversized Sunglasses
Courtesy of Balenciaga SS26, where oversized glasses were all over the runway. Since fashion is moving towards a louder format, it looks like eyewear will follow suit. Gone are the small rectangle frames that define “corporate-core”, we’re now looking at oversized rims that were trending all throughout the 2010s.
Capes and Ponchos
A trend most likely to continue over to 2026, we’ve seen cold shoulder tops transform into fully fledged capes and ponchos this year. An easy, relaxed silhouette, expect these pieces to come out during the summer.
Draped Maxi Dresses
A trend that is slowly gaining traction, the draped maxi dress is a silhouette inspired by the South Asian saree. Emphasising the hips it’s an easy way to add texture to an outfit without any embellishments.
Open Hanging Bags
A result of style rather than design, SS26 runways saw plenty of iconic bags left open and hanging. Reminiscent of how most style Brikins and Kellys, these bags give off cool, effortless energy, with so much to do and no time to waste. Fendi’s runway specifically styles their Peekabos this way, where the open compartment leads to beadwork and sequins. Whereas Dior debuted a similar style through their CIGALE bag, named after the 1952 dress.
Preppy Looks
A hallmark of 80s trends, preppy style has not lost its momentum. This year, there has been a steady rise in fascination with brands like Ralph Lauren and Burberry. We have a feeling that clothes that mimic heritage will continue to trend, but not in a minimalistic, “old money” way. Instead, the trend will continue in the form of plaid, argyle print, pinstripes à la Emily in Rome, and tweed style two-piece sets.
Sculptural, Exaggerated Fits
YSL and Rama Duwaji’s latest editorial will be the reason why sculptural, exaggerated silhouettes are trending again. While denim trends have shown us that we are gravitating towards baggier fits, YSL’s SS26 runway brought oomph and volume to the mix.
Sneakerinas
The shoe that has been dominating 2025 will most likely dominate 2026 as well. The Frankenstein hybrid of low-top sneakers and ballet flats makes it both comfortable and casual while giving the right amount of statement needed. When the shoe first dropped, it was teetering on microtrend territory, but its popularity guarantees another run in 2026.
Textural Layering
Something the modest dresser knows all too well, textural layering is less of a trend but rather a practice that is finally catching up to the mainstream. Expect to see more layers next year as people pair lace trims with satin and sweatpants, or feathers and fringes with leather pieces. Nothing is too outrageous; textural layering is the epitome of fun dressing.
80s Power Dressing/2010s Business Casual
It could be the impact of Giorgio Armani’s passing, or it could be a recession indicator, but the term “corporate core” hasn’t fully left the fashion-forward world. We’re still leaning towards turning corporate fashion into a trend, so 2026 might see both 80s power suits and 2010s business casual come back in full force.
