All Of The Trends On The NYFW Spring/Summer Runways

Shapeshifting

“Amy Smilovic’s starting point for Tibi this season was brutalist architecture, specifically the Bauhaus movement. Here, we saw everyday clothes that were highly considered. Simple, well cut trousers and drop waist cotton dresses were pleated at the hip to create movement, alongside structured peplum belts and soft, sloped shoulders which added a relaxed feel to it all. Over at Campillo, trousers sloped out from the pockets creating a triangular shape at the hips, and waists were wrapped with great big rectangular belts. Cate Holstein’s exercise in geometry at Khaite was best referenced through cuttingly sharp shoulders and basque-waisted panelled tops and dresses in a subdued beige that almost came across as bandage-esque. Geometry this season makes sense as we are faced with a cultural and political climate that is feeling less and less real, it’s only natural that the runways will interpreting the feeling through the collections.” – Ella O’Keeffe, Senior Fashion Editor

Up To Our Necks

“Bomber jackets have been a mainstay on the runways for many seasons now, but for Spring/Summer 2026, necklines got increasingly higher. At Altuzarra, a black leather bomber with a great big upturned collar was zipped right up under the chin, as was a shearling-lined sand colored version at Khaite. At Tibi, drill cotton bombers gave things a lighter feel, as did the high-necked trenches offered in Khaki and Navy.” – Ella O’Keeffe, Senior Fashion Editor

Pop Of Red

“Each season, red emerges throughout collections as a punctuation to neutrals. It is, arguably, one of the most enduring colors in fashion, and this season was no different. Rachel Scott’s debut collection preview for Proenza Schouler featured warm, tangerine-red dresses, shoes, and turtleneck jumpers, while at Ralph Lauren, poppy red underscored an entirely monochromatic collection, appearing every five-or-so looks as dresses, suiting, neckties, and trench coats. At Calvin Klein Collection we saw deep red pants and tiny red clutches, while at Khaite there was a very Khaite-coded blood-red leather blazer with a flipped collar and faux sleeves.” – Ella O’Keeffe, Senior Fashion Editor

Connecting The Dots

“We already knew that polka dots weren’t going anywhere and New York Fashion Week affirmed it. I spotted polka dots on more runways that I can name and in extremely different forms: balloon skirts on the Khaite runway, a plush faux fur off the shoulder gown and top hats at Christian Siriano, and a sleek long sleeved high neck gown at Altuzarra, to name a few. I think this trend signifies our common urge to just have fun with fashion again. Polka dots have a playfulness about them and, especially at a time where it’s easy to feel bogged down by the weight of the world, playing in fashion should very much be encouraged.” - Bianca Asare, Associate Editor

Primal Instincts

“Animal prints are the perfect example of a trend that comes and goes. According to many Spring/Summer 2026 collections and, for what it’s worth, cosigned by me, the trend is up. Not just in a classic cheetah print, though. On Sergio Hudson’s runway alone, cheetah print and zebra print were present in the form of two piece suits, mini dresses, and strapless gowns. At Brandon Maxwell, cowhide was the animal print of choice, specifically in the form of plush jackets, and a Christian Cowan model strutted down the runway in a zebra print bikini top. This is a testament to the resurgence of prints, in general. NYFW runways are encouraging us to abandon our all-black outfits, and are serving as mood boards showing us examples of how to do so.” - Bianca Asare, Associate Editor

Headscarf Heaven

“Headscarves were prominent on Private Policy’s Can We Be Friends? runway, silk ones tied underneath the chin in bold colors to both clash with and complement the rest of the look. At Sandy Liang, headscarves (tied at the back of the head) were a perfect match to the print of the outfits, in one case completing a four piece set. On Calvin Klein’s runway, headscarves tied otherwise simple and sleek looks together. These three runways serve as examples of how to style the same thing differently. Accessories, especially at a time where maximalism is embraced and encouraged, can clash in a mysteriously perfect way. Accessories can also complete and complement.” - Bianca Asare, Associate Editor