The SS26 season was one for the books, with no fewer than 15 debuts taking place across some of fashion’s most notable houses. Each new appointment read as a manifesto, marking a new chapter, both for individual maisons and the industry at large.
In Milan, Louise Trotter (who was one of just two female designers debuting this season) succeeded Matthieu Blazy at Bottega Veneta, where she displayed everyday elegance via impeccably cut tailoring and plush knits, occasionally interspersed with cocktail-worthy fringed tops made from recycled fibreglass. As for Paris, Jonathan Anderson’s first foray into the world of Dior saw utility fused with couture: updated Bar jackets and functional cargo skirts were presented alongside softened, suede takes on the Lady Dior bag. Likewise, for Blazy’s debut at Chanel, he rewrote the script while embracing the house’s signature codes: an explosion of colour and personality via juxtaposing textures, diaphanous skirts and casually worn low-slung denim. When the collection hit stores earlier this year, during the AW26 fashion week, there was a frenzy on shop floors unlike anything the industry has experienced for a number of years. It was a triumphant result for a fashion landscape working to acclimatise to a world of economic flux and technological advances
It was a bumper season full of firsts and steeped in optimism for fashion’s new charge. The trends spotted by ELLE UK’s editors range from florals and fringing to utility and tailoring, with new, covetable takes that are equal measures desirable and replicable.
Below, the ELLE editors put together a concise edit of the pieces worth investing in this season, inspired by the trends seen on the SS26 runways.
Utility
Stand to attention, utilitarian fashion is very much back for spring and summer. On the runways, Daniel Lee at Burberry presented the trend via a khaki utility jacket paired with a sequin dress, while elsewhere, Balmain, Prada and Lemaire were all among the houses taking on the trend through a more refined approach using supple leathers and even silk.
Split Leather Double Compartment Belt Bag
Ahluwalia The Faith Parachute Skirt
The Frankie Shop Utrecht Faux Leather Buckle Jacket
Loud Layering
The runways are always rife with styling inspiration, but this season proved especially energising when it came to layering. One of the stand-out looks was from Loewe, where multiple shirts were stacked on top of one another, tactically using wardrobe basics to create a fashion-forward look. Take the trend to your own wardrobe with Alaïa’s trousers-come-skirt, Dauan Jacari’s boxer skirt or Cos’s two-in-one top.
Dauan Jacari Spiral Boxer Skirt
Fringing
Thanks to the proliferation of fringing on the SS26 runways, free-spirited, fun fashion is under foot for summer. Try a classic suede fringed jacket, courtesy of Rixo, a pair of wispy shorts by Pauline Dujancourt, or a playful bag from Gerard Darel.
Pauline Dujancourt Argyle Fringed Shorts
Rixo Fringed Suede Jacket
Gerard Darel Fringe Leather Bag
Pink
Whether you pair pink with clashing colours, or opt for a classic ‘pretty’ pink dress, this is a colour trend that will inject your wardrobe with joy. Key players who beautifully demonstrated this trend on the runways were Prada, Tory Burch, Valentino and Fendi.
Gucci Wool Cashmere Jumper
Repetto Cendrillon Ballet Flats
New Florals
Whether via Celine’s retro-print minidress or Chanel’s slinky gown that featured 3D floral appliqués, the message on the runways was clear: florals are in for spring.
Prada Printed Re-Nylon Raincoat
Ganni Printed Taffeta Pouch
Ralph Lauren Floral Tulle Skirt
Trad Wife 2.0
For SS26, the trad wife trend took a tongue-in-cheek approach with Miu Miu’s aprons becoming one of the focal points of the season. Take the satirical trend into your own hands with a pair of long gloves, a brooch-detailed cardigan or a pair of utterly precious court shoes.
Ashley Williams Multicolor Harmony Heels
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Cornelia James Tulle Opera Glove
Burberry Wool Cashmere Cardigan
Sports Luxe
Out with the beige leggings and in with the brightly coloured rugby tops! This season, sports-inspired clothing prevailed on the runways via brands such as Fendi, Coperni, Loewe and Givenchy, among others.
Ralph Lauren Embroidered Cotton Twill Jacket
Alohas Tb.56 Suede Fuzzy Light Grey Leather Sneakers
Aimé Leon Dore Ribbed-Knit Cotton Polo Sweater
New Tailoring
Look one at Matthieu Blazy’s debut show for Chanel was an impeccably cut brown tweed suit, which was paired with oversized floral earrings. It was all we needed to convince us to pull out our blazers and tailored trousers (or shorts!) just in time for spring.
The Frankie Shop Helna Boxy Cropped Blazer
Gucci Sylke Horsebit-Detailed Suede Loafers
Colour Combos
From Fendi’s chocolate brown two-piece styled with a cobalt blue bralette, to Miu Miu’s sumptuous orange and burgundy pairings, unexpected colour combinations were in full force across some of this season’s most anticipated shows. Begin your colour combo journey with the three pieces seen below.
Alaia Le Click East West Bag
Massimo Dutti Linen Puff Bomber Jacket
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