Runway Recap: The Trends that Ruled the F/W26 Fashion Month

Four cities, countless collections, and a whole lot of synced brainwaves. If the recently wrapped F/W26 season proved anything, it’s that the industry’s top creatives probably have some sort of psychic link—or at least functioning on the same wavelength of becoming impossible to ignore, even as the climate shifts.

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Cold Shoulder

This was the common denominator that had some (namely this writer) convinced New York, London, Milan, and Paris had a secret, conspiratorial group chat. The hypothetical message most likely said, “Be as looming as possible.” So what if wide shoulders feel vaguely ominous? The houses across different cities were keen on making a statement, and they did just that.

Pattern Clashing

Maximalists may have been doing pattern clashing for a while now, but here’s further proof that it’s perfectly stylish to dress chaotically. Is it an eyesore to some to put animal motifs next to florals? Tartan next to more variations of plaid? Perhaps. But is it fun and expressive? Absolutely.

Drop Them

Like the fashion back in the 1920s, waists are going lower once more—mostly in dress and skirt forms, much to the relief of those who still have reservations about low-rise jeans. And while some wish to make their legs longer, it seems that the designers of fashion month are elongating torsos instead. It’s not a bad negotiation, to be honest. 

A Case of Fringe

Final question: What’s not to love about them, really? They give any outfit texture and movement, and they’re quite easy to pull off. The only downside to them is that it can be so understated that people sometimes forget to add them to their closet (and you’re bound to get caught by a hook or two). At least the runways are here to remind the world again of the appeal of fringe, as well as the aforementioned trends. 

Photos: CALVIN KLEIN, ANNA SUI, AREA, BORA AKSU, CONNER IVES, SIMONE ROCHA, JOSEPH, INSTITUTION BY GALIB GASSANOFF, MARNI, MAISON MARGIELA, MARCO RAMBALDI, LOUIS VUITTON, ACNE STUDIOS, CHANEL, and CHLOÉ