Each year the clothes we wear are defined by the culture and become symbols of the time. 2020 was full of cow print and high-waisted pants, 2014 was the year of galaxy leggings, the 2000’s were low-rise and chunky highlights, and the late 70’s were flare pants and afghan coats. This raises the question, what trends and styles will define 2026?

First, let’s look back at the biggest trends of 2025, everything from polka dots to funky footwear. ELLE Magazine recapped the fads of 2025, such as labubus. Also mentioned was the rise of “slogan t-shirts”, a style which, while fun, will likely not continue on such a large scale. 2025 also brought the rise of eye-catching accessories, bold colorblocking, and flowy staples like scarves and shawls, all trends which I expect will carry over into the new year.

Looking Forward

Entering into 2026, with Milan Fashion Week MFW2026 taking place from January 16-20 and Paris Fashion Week soon to follow from January 26-29, we can already see the trends of this year take shape. Fashion has been known to cycle every 20 years, so as many reminisce on the 2000’s, it is not surprising that there has been a shift towards the layering exemplified on the DSquared2 runway.

According to Vogue Magazine, we can expect to see a rise in feathers, fringe, and lace in our wardrobes this spring, and looking back on the SS2026 fashion collections, we can see such trends. Consulting the runway, we can expect a continuation in the rise of bold pieces, from standout accessories such as those on the Fendi runway to bright, playful color combinations seen on Ronald Van Der Kemp models.

CCHS student Amelie Duquesne (class of ‘26) grew up surrounded by the fashion industry due to her parents’ jobs and has attended numerous educational fashion programs. She provides insight into the trends she hopes to see, including zebra print, skinny jeans with boots, and low-waisted jean shorts.

Observing those around her, she says to expect people to dress up to simply go out and about, stating “I feel like I’ve seen a lot of people talking about how they want to actually use their clothes and dress up more. And they’re just going out to get, like, a coffee or something”.

Further than Fabric

You may be asking yourself, why should I care about what’s trending? Fashion is not just clothes, but rather an art form through which countless stories are told.

“It tells a lot about the kind of person you are,” shares Duquesne. “Like, for example, you meet someone and they wear the same things that everyone else wears. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s just like maybe this person hasn’t come out of their comfort zone yet. Or like, someone that wears very interesting clothes, they’re probably very creative and have different views than the norm.”

Trends themselves reflect the culture and values of the time. For example, in the late 60’s, as the women’s rights movement began to gain more traction, women around the world began to hem their dresses and skirts extremely short. The constant hemming led to the creation of the mini skirt, a piece born out of rebellion.

Following the ‘clean girl’ trend of recent years, it is no surprise that there is a push in the stylistically opposite direction. As we embrace the bold accessories, bright colors, funky textures, and unique silhouettes of this year, it is important to consider what these trends might reflect about our society.

I believe 2026 will mark a shift towards bold authenticity in the new year, as people hope to make their voices heard in our loud and chaotic society. In times when it is easy to blend in or feel silenced, people will want to speak loudly with the clothes they wear.