The 2026 Trends To Look Out For In The New Year

Heroes Journey

Capes were a focal point of the 2026 Spring/Summer collections this September and October, and as these pieces roll out in stores in the new year, we’ll be seeing these silhouettes in full effect. At Jonathan Anderson’s Dior debut we saw classically draped capes with blue jeans, while for Valentino’s Pre-Fall 2026 collection, Alessandro Michele incorporated the silhouette as a neatly cut grey wool coat, signalling that we haven’t seen the last of these heroic shapes.

Luxe Leather

Leather has been a mainstay trend for most of 2025 and plenty of 2024, and it doesn’t seem to be moving out of the spotlight any time soon. These past two seasons have put an emphasis on high shine, non-patent leather that has an expensive, illustrious quality. At both Khaite and Ferragamo’s Pre-Fall 2026, these were key themes throughout the collections. At Khaite, black, ultra-shiny leather pieces were offered in high-waisted, double-breasted skirts, tiny cropped jackets, classic straight leg pants, and simple blazers similar to the ones offered in Cate Holstein’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection.

Best Western

An all-American style theme began emerging during Michael Rider’s Celine debut in the middle of the year, and since, a newfound appreciation for American prep has infiltrated the trend cycle. Tory Burch, Celine, and Hermes have all participated in codes that nod to Americana, with layered turtlenecks, silk scarves, equestrian-adjacent silhouettes, and notions towards prep with pleated skirts and popped collars.

Skin Tight!

For everyone who is dreading the return of the skinny pant, I fear this year may have just been the tip of the iceberg. Plenty of collections this year featured the spooky skinny trouser, which we anticipate will only become more prevalent in the coming 2026 seasons. Last year we saw Tom Ford, Magda Butrym, Christopher Esber, and The Row all jump on the trend. Who’s next?

Coat Check

One of the biggest trends of Fall 2025 and Spring/Summer 2026 was the trench coat, and the classic rain jacket will continue its trajectory into Spring 2026 as the jacket of the season. Namely, cropped trench coats had a big moment this year, and considering they came into the spotlight on the heels of summer, we only really got a brief fall to indulge in the trend. Elsewhere leather trenches had their moment, as well as structured plays on the classic, more fluid silhouette with broad shoulders and nipped hems for an upside-down triangle effect. Never fear, spring is (kind of) around the corner!

Poet Core

Personally I hate all of the “core’s” but according to the internet, and the vibe of a select few collections this year, a trend that will emerge into the new year is poet core. It makes sense with the return of indie sleaze. Not because they are the same thing, but with indie sleaze comes the Tumblr of it all, and that era begs for hot lit girls and library dwelling boys. At Ann Demeulemeester Spring/Summer ‘26, Stefano Galicci made a case for the tortured writer, while at Chanel, Matthieau Blazy’s houndstooth suiting felt reminiscent of your favorite professor.