Stay In the Know: These Are the Key Fall/Winter 2026 Trends Dominating the Runways

The new season officially kicked off on Feb. 11 in New York, setting the tone for what’s to come. Over the next month, the fashion circuit is making its way from London to Milan, before concluding with the grand finale in Paris—because if there’s one thing fashion month does well, it’s drama, jet lag, and unforgettable moments.

Between the inevitable coffee runs and back-to-back shows, one thing became crystal clear: this season has something to say.

The shows come fast, but the changes come faster. This Fall/Winter season marked a peculiar moment of transition, defined by major creative debuts and significant returns that had everyone talking. Rachel Scott’s official debut at Proenza Schouler opened the week with fresh energy, while milestone anniversaries were also being celebrated—like Lafayette 148 marking 30 years in the industry. But perhaps the most anticipated moments of the season are yet to come.

Some collections whispered, others screamed—but they all had one thing in common: they made us feel something. From power dressing to unexpected silhouettes, maximalist jewelry to minimalist tailoring, the Fall/Winter 2026 runways revealed a season in conversation with itself—one that balanced nostalgia with innovation, heritage with disruption. 

There were moments that made you want to raid your mom’s closet and others that felt like they came straight from the future. Editors were taking notes, buyers were placing orders, and the rest of us? We were screen-shotting everything. Here are the top trends you should start looking for before they hit the streets.

Fall/Winter 2026 Fashion Trends: The Victorian Vision

From ruffled detailing to tight corsets, this Fall/Winter 2026 season took us back to the Victorian era. Designers confirmed that high ruffled collars, a key fashion element of the time, aren’t going anywhere–Altuzarra epitomized their elegance in a black-and-white dress, and the pioneer of American fashion, Ralph Lauren, embraced this resource in the shape of a classic white top. In London, Erdem presented ruffled collars everywhere, from tailored looks to knit ensembles and embellished dresses. Fitted as can be, corsets took over the runway from Christian Cowan’s defining silhouettes to Jane Wade’s utilitarian designs. As we always look to history for inspiration, we can expect a modest, refined fashion scene in the near future.

Fall/Winter 2026 Fashion Trends: A Red Moment

Well on its way to becoming the color of the season, this fashion week, we saw red make an impact in multiple forms. Many designers decided to display the hue in monochromatic looks and experiment with texture and materiality–Michael Kors played with knits, fur, and satin, while Diotima added a shaggy surface on a knee-length coat.  Showing a range of silhouettes, Jacquemus exhibited a structural wool dress, and Tory Burch one that falls straight on the body. Clearly, this assertive It color can be worn in any way you wish.

Fall/Winter 2026 Fashion Trends: Opulent Velvets

As the 1970s revival becomes increasingly imminent, a classic material has re-entered our radar with a refreshing take on the runways. This Fall/Winter 2026 season, velvet was continuously spotted on the catwalks of our favorite designers, showing how this once-loved texture is fit for a modern revival. Ralph Lauren embraced this winter texture all over its collection, with one toupe-colored dress standing out among the designs–complemented with metal mesh sleeves and collar, and styled with a western belt. Khaite, on the other hand, showed velvet strapless dresses with a peplum silhouette that scream chic. Smooth to the touch and intriguing to the eye, velvet is here to stay.

Fall/Winter 2026 Fashion Trends: Purple Haze

Another striking color made its way onto the catwalk this season, and that is the royal purple. This hue has taken us by surprise with its deep tone and rich intensity. Carolina Herrera, for example, showed us a polished take on this opulent hue in the shape of a turtleneck top tucked into a structured skirt with a satin finish and delicate bow detailing, whereas Zankov displayed this shade in a knitted dress with the most flattering silhouette. Ideal for the future winter days, this color delivers a polished, atmospheric edge for the gloomy weather ahead. 

Fall/Winter 2026 Fashion Trends: Double Trouble 

Say hello to your next winter coat—structured, polished, and decidedly double-breasted. Repeatedly spotted on this season’s runways, the double closure seems to be making its calculated comeback. Designers like Fforme embraced this element in its collarless version, while Michael Kors displayed an iteration that features an oversized collar that falls onto the shoulders. While this double-breasted feature could be a simple detail for some, at the end of the day, it’s the small things that make all the difference.

Fall/Winter 2026 Fashion Trends: Fuzzy Wraps

Although fuzz, faux furs, and shaggy textures aren’t a novelty on the runways anymore, designers have been resorting to an elegant and sophisticated silhouette to keep things interesting for the Fall/Winter 2026 season. From Calvin Klein Collection in New York City to Simone Rocha in London, fuzzy wraps have taken over as the new form of winter detailing. Whether in the form of a neckpiece or in the silhouette of a bolero, these petite complements blend cold-weather practicality with fashion-forward attitude. 

Fall/Winter 2026 Fashion Trends: Buttoned Down

Another small detail that goes a long way, standout buttons are making surprisingly chic appearances throughout the Fall/Winter 2026 season. From the line of contrasting black buttons perfectly set on the cream-colored pants at Proenza Schouler to Ulla Johnson’s front button detailing on a pale grey knit, this small but mighty element seems to be the perfect final touch for polished designs. Sandy Liang showed us the funky side of this trend with white-hued buttons lined throughout the asymmetric closure of a navy blue dress. A typically overlooked detail that proves it can elevate a piece into something much more special.

Fall/Winter 2026 Fashion Trends: Rounded Fronts

This fashion season, subtle shifts are redefining everyday pieces—a standout one being the asymmetric front. Overlapping closures and rounded fronts simply add a je ne sais quoi spirit to the Fall/Winter 2026 outerwear. Ashlyn, for example, exhibited a classic black and white jacket with a subtly curved front, while Diotima displayed a denim iteration with embroidered detailing–for the latter, even though the front was asymmetric, the detailing remained perfectly symmetric. These chic asymmetric fronts are proving that a small change can make a grand difference.

Fall/Winter 2026 Fashion Trends: Soft Shoulders

Another slight change in structure that has taken over the runways: soft shoulders. Carolina Herrera, for example, showed a cropped leopard-print jacket with a perfectly rounded silhouette. As did Ashlyn, in the shape of a beautiful cream-colored gown featuring a cocooning upper layer. Although we are still recovering from the last 80s resurgence, it seems like shoulder pads didn’t make the cut.