Spring/summer 2026 fashion trends that need to be on your radar

I know, I know. You’ve only just bought your autumn/winter 2025 essentials, and we’re already talking about spring/summer 2026 fashion trends. Look, I’m with you: if it’s all too much for you, feel free to shelf this advice for a future moment when the sun comes out again and the ice begins to thaw. But, if you really want to be ahead of the curve and dress the way fashion pros do, it’s good practice to keep abreast of the upcoming trends.

S/S26 fashion month just wrapped up last week – at least the “Big 4” fashion capitals of New York, London, Milan and Paris. The fashion industry is set up so that they’re always showing a season ahead, giving buyers and stores enough time to digest the collections, decide what will sell, and place orders for the following season.

Some trends, like the strong, padded shoulders synonymous with ‘80s power dressing, continue to dominate from A/W25. While fashion loves all things new, the most influential style trends are ones that will last a few seasons or even years, evolving over time, as opposed to the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it micro trends that dominate social media.

See our list for the most significant runway trends that are a safe bet to last throughout next year and beyond. Note down these spring/summer 2026 fashion trends and save them for later.

On the fringes

One of the most unmistakable trends on recent runways was the love for all things textured and fringed. This is one of those trends that didn’t just pop up this season: it’s been in the works for a while, not least because of the bohemian trend. But it feels like it really exploded this season, appearing via fibre optic jackets at Bottega Veneta, anemone-like skirts at Loewe and Balenciaga and pom-pom tassel accessories at Calvin Klein. It’s not just fringe, either: the love for texture extends to feathers, too! Stella McCartney presented an innovative, plant-based version at her show.

Not all heroes wear capes…

…but divas do! Old Hollywood glamour has been quite the rising trend in recent seasons, perhaps more so on red carpets than on the runway. The recent fashion shows proved that classic beauty is going nowhere next year, with capes leading the way in dramatic, vintage-inspired style on runways like Alberta Ferretti and Celine. Dior showed an assortment of capes, with Anya Taylor-Joy even wearing a houndstooth version to the show. Another front row guest, Meghan Markle, made headlines when she showed up to the Balenciaga show in a white ensemble with a cape.