A model walks the runway in an outfit from FFORME’s Fall/Winter 2026 collection.Fforme/Supplied
New York Fashion Week kicked off last week, opening fashion month with a sharply defined style forecast. The Fall/Winter 2026 collections largely spoke the same language, with a focus on rich textiles, statement winter coats and plenty of fresh options for an evening out.
In the midst of a harsh winter, there’s no better time to take inspiration from the FW26 runways. Here are five trends to consider.
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Velvet underground
Wrapping oneself in plush, weighted fabrics is certainly one of life’s small pleasures, and, judging by the amount of velvet on the runways, there will be plenty of opportunities for that next fall.
Colleen Allen’s velvet fashion.COLLEEN ALLEN/Supplied
At FFORME, a gold-toned crushed velvet gown cut through a sea of neutrals, its structured corset and bustle skirt adding a quiet authority to an otherwise romantic look. New York brand 6397 similarly drew on gold tones but took a more casual approach, layering an oversize beige velvet blazer over an A-line ochre velvet dress, styled with black rubber boots made for sloshing around the city in the rain.
While velvet variations came in all forms, the perfect middle ground between evening and daywear appeared at Colleen Allen’s presentation, where a tomato-red velvet top draped around the body, exposing the model’s back. Paired with hip-hugging purple velvet trousers, the look was effortlessly statement-making.
Spanish revival
If summer belongs to linens and lightness, fall is about surrendering to something richer: think inky lace, matador tailoring, leather boots and influences drawn from the Andalusian countryside.
An Altuzarra fall/winter 2026 runway look.Isidore Montag/Supplied
At Altuzarra, creative director Joseph Altuzarra sent out a world of modern fall and winter looks filtered through a Spanish lens. Inspired by artists Diego Velázquez and Pedro Almodóvar, the label played with restraint (such as in a black leather coordinate set with a floor-sweeping fine-knit sweater), and dramatic flair (such as in a double-breasted wool peacoat worn over a voluminous flamenco skirt).
Kallmeyer, one of the more recent designer voices to enter the minimalist conversation, dialled up the embellishments with beaded lattice embroidery on a pair of matador-inspired pants.
Carolina Herrera is no stranger to Spanish influences – the label’s September show took place at Plaza Mayor in Madrid. Back in New York, the label’s creative director Wes Gordon brought a hint of Spanish flair back with him in the form of a black ruffled pencil skirt and embroidered lace cape.
High-shine coats
Who says a black coat has to be basic? This season, the winter staple is getting a high-voltage makeover with treated fabrics, glossy leathers and bold, graphic silhouettes.
At Eckhaus Latta, one coat’s texture resembled oil-slicked feathers under the lights: iridescent and almost liquid in motion. (In reality, it was laminated faux fur.)
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Marc Jacobs bid farewell to the more outlandish looks of his past few seasons, presenting simpler silhouettes in classic fabrics. Yet the label retained its sense of playfulness, sending out a high-shine black tailored coat worn backward.
Prabal Gurung offered up a homier take with a black quilted jacket that read as part duvet, part vintage housecoat. With its glossy finish and open collar, however, it could take its wearer anywhere, from the couch to the opera and beyond.
LPD (Long Purple Dress)
The LBD (little black dress) has a long-cemented status as a reigning wardrobe staple. While it’s a tried-and-true piece, the LPD (long purple dress) has emerged this season as a refreshingly new take on evening wear.
A dress from Tory Burch’s ready-to-wear collection.Dan Lecca/Supplied
Tory Burch unveiled some of the week’s most sophisticated looks, such as a purple silk brocade halter dress featuring a hand-pleated bodice.
At Zankov, a floor-length, deep-V gown exuded modern elegance, enhanced by a silk scarf tied at the neck and purple beaded fringe dripping from the sleeves. Meanwhile, Area’s Nicholas Aburn struck a balance between sultry and sweet, sending out a lingerie-inspired silhouette trimmed with cascading violet ruffles. Sandy Liang offered her own fresh take, pairing a metallic purple knit midi dress with silky blue ballet flats for a look that was both unexpected and effortlessly cool.
The check effect
Plaids and tartans are to fall what florals are to spring. This season, the classic fabrics are experiencing a renewed vibrancy.
Collina Strada on the runway.Filippo Fior/Collina Strada/Supplied
Collina Strada’s Hillary Taymour, known for her imaginative prints, played with various forms of plaid, from traditional windowpane checks in shades of coral, brown and grey to more experimental techniques like blown-up basket-weave checks on a sheer T-shirt and silk-and-lace skirt.
At Ashlyn, a micro-plaid pattern made its way onto a sculpted blouse, the precise tailoring bending the check to an almost kaleidoscopic effect.
Marc Jacobs also embraced the minute print, taking it head-to-toe in co-ordinating shirts, jackets and skirts, finishing the look with the skinniest of skinny belts, marking a return to the designer’s fuss-free dressing with a twist.