According to the Chinese zodiac, 2026 is the year of the horse. Many of us who are either chronically online or of Chinese descent likely already know this (I am the former). Unlike previous years—the year of the snake, the year of the rat—things feel slightly more optimistic this time around. We've shed last year's snakey happenings (boy, was that rough) and are ready to gallop into 2026 unbridled and unburdened.
Recent runways have been saddling up for a horse-girl renaissance for some time now, particularly during the Spring/Summer 2026 season last September. From traditional equestrian motifs at Celine and Hermes to slightly less obvious silhouettes, like the riding pants at Chloé and Coperni, the year of the horse will undoubtedly be reflected in our wardrobes in months to come.
Ahead, see all of the ways to dress for the year of the horse, based on current trends.
Boot Up
Ralph Lauren FW25
Ralph Lauren
Courrèges SS26
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Hermes SS26
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One of the most integral parts of any riding look is a good boot, and last season provided no shortage of inspiration in the riding boot department. From classic examples at Ralph Lauren and Hermes to slightly more contemporary interpretations at Courrèges, the riding boot remains a staple for the Fall-Winter season and into spring.
Western Front
Schiaparelli FW25
Schiaparelli
Khaite SS26
Khaite
Ralph Lauren Menswear FW25
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Western accents play indirectly into the theme of horses, reminiscent of the cowboys of past and present and rodeo culture. At Schiaparelli's Fall/Winter 25 ready-to-wear show, Daniel Roseberry leant into these motifs with layered belts with Western buckles. Khaite's Catherine Holstein offered a more subtle approach with looks that had a slightly western feel to them in silhouette, while Ralph Lauren's recent Menswear show in Milan went all-out cowboy in a denim Canadian tux, printed shirt, and cowboy-hat combo.
The Right Tack
Chloé FW25
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Celine FW25
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Gucci SS26
Gucci
Lean into the horse theme via accessories if all else feels a little daunting, with subtle touches of your inner hippophile evident through scarves, harnesses, and emblematic motifs, like the bags at Chloé's Fall/Winter 2025 show, which featured brass discs embossed with horses; or the silk scarves at Michael Rider's debut Celine collection, printed with horseshoe motifs. Over at Gucci, the references were slightly more literal, with Demna reimagining the brands classic horsebit to accent jeans and belt buckles.
Wearing The Pants
Chloé SS26
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Coperni SS26
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Celine SS26
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Another integral wardrobe item for any serious equestrian is a pair of jodhpurs—the thick, legging like pants that riders wear in the saddle. Across plenty of collections this past season, we saw jodhpur-adjacent pants make their appearance. At Chloé, Chemena Kamali introduced a series of the leggings complete with foot straps in a shiny material. Over at Coperni, neutral, techy leggings were given skinny belt loops to dress them up, and at Celine, it was all about monochrome where bone white and black leggings were paired with matching blazers.
