SS26 Trend Report: The 11 trends defining spring 2026

It was an unusual spring/summer '26 season to say the least, with 16 designer debuts dominating our attention across New York, Milan and Paris (no debuts in London, but with Jonathan Anderson taking up the reigns at Dior, the ripple effects were felt). With the dust officially settled, it’s time to turn our attention to another seismic matter: the SS26 trends.

True to the season, the trends were scattered, varying from the delightfully less-than-practical to the no-nonsense function-forward. From ladylike and ornate to utterly utilitarian. Though nothing in fashion is ever truly new, the SS26 trends find pointedly new takes that feel impossibly of-the-moment. Perhaps the shakeup – which presented our most beloved houses through a fresh lens – was precisely what we needed to yield something unexpected.

So without further ado, behold the standout trends of SS26.

Related: CPHFW AW26: The key brand moves shaping the next edition

This season’s grey is never drab. With 50 shades of the muted tone taking on sumptuous materials like tulle and silk, not to mention otherworldly draping, this unsung hue finds itself red-carpet ready. Just don’t expect it to shimmer.

This season the trusty trench is kicked into overdrive, transforming from a dependable topper into an entire look unto itself. Understated details – a vibrant liner at Celine, a sweet puffed sleeve at Gabriela Hearst or simply a statement-making collar – adds a certain something to this humble classic. Sure to make a statement, rain or shine.

The Victorian age is upon us… again. Cast your eyes on the corsets of yore, the artful boning, the high ruffled collars. Whether you go full Pride & Prejudice a la Wiederhoeft or take a more relaxed, deconstructed approach (those palace-appropriate pyjamas at Louis Vuitton were particularly pleasing) you’ll have everyone swooning. Just don’t tie your corset too tight or you may be swooning yourself.

The bra top drifts towards demure, worn under a gauzy polo at Fendi, peeking from a futuristic cutout at Jil Sander and beneath a chunky cardigan at Altuzarra. A tasteful triangle to suit all, well, tastes.

Remember the bumster? This is her now; a low-slung belted skirt made ladylike by way of buttery leather or pretty pleats. A silhouette that yields a mile-long torso and an effortless sex appeal. Sit at your own risk.

A bevy of boilersuits in shades of workwear blue stormed the spring/summer 2026 runways. Quirky styling – a turtleneck here, long silk gloves there – elevate this utilitarian coverall from function to fashion. A trend that’s sure to boil over to all occasions.

Are you holding space (in your closet, most importantly) for the season’s statement skirts? Explosions of tulle and bubbles of silk yield skirts that shout it out loud. A piece that can shine on its own (check out that Balenciaga beauty) or add an exclamation point, peeking from under a ladylike frock (hello, Prada). Pick your poison, just don’t skirt the issue.

Denim has taken a few detours lately, indulging in its wildest desires, but for spring/summer 2026, Scandinavia’s favourite material returns to form. Classic no-fuss washes and reliable silhouettes (straight, boot, wide) dominated runways from Acne Studios (the genius of jeans) to Stella McCartney. Styled effortlessly with a white T or button-down, perhaps a blazer tossed over the shoulder, denim has never been so dependable.

Say farewell to florals and hello to floral, singular. This season saw a rise in one big bloom – a rose at Patrick McDowell, a lilac at Marques' Almeida – rendered imperfectly, via delicate stitching or a painterly print. Flower for spring is, in fact, groundbreaking.

No, it’s not a mirage; the spring/summer 2026 runways saw a deluge of decadent, desert-destined looks. Sandy hues, rich textures and divine draping (most notably by way of harem pants, which have solidified their comeback) mean major moments that beg to be seen. So go ahead and wander somewhere well-populated.

The season’s hems are artfully askew and beautifully off-balance. The handkerchief hem – once an early '00s staple – takes on a refined elegance with floor-grazing, off-kilter silhouettes that catch the wind. So long, symmetry!