The 80s Are Back and Bigger Than Ever: 5 Maximalist Ways We Are Embracing The Era in 2026

Fashion’s love affair with looking in the rearview mirror is a tale as old as time. The biggest runway designers frequently return to the stripped-back minimalism of the 90s, the chintzy glitz of the 1920s, the glam rock of the 70s, the doll-like dress sense of the 1960s and the indie sleaze sensibilities of the 2000s. But for 2026, a particular period is coming back with a serious bang, ushering in a new wave of clashing brights, unabashed prints and patterns, decadent silhouettes, and high-camp accessorising. It is, of course, the 1980s, and the most headline-grabbing designers went all-out on this retro mood across the runways for the spring/ summer season.

From the blingy debutantes premiering at Richard Quinn to the Molly Ringwald doppelgängers at Caro Editions, the leather-clad club rats of Dario Vitale’s Versace and the boho jet-set babes of Chemena Kamali’s Chloé, designers hailing from Paris, Milan, London and Copenhagen leaned in to the multifaceted era of the 80s, giving it a fresh and wearable POV for today. Like, totally.

I’ve scoured the runway for the best 80s trends that 2026 has to offer, rounding them all up for you here. Whether you are in the mood to raid the fantasy closets of Madonna, Whitney, Blondie, Iman, Cyndi, or Sade, there’s something for everyone. Scroll on for my 80s trend style file, complete with shopping ideas and styling tips to get you in the mood.

The 5 Biggest 80s Trends Making a Comeback in 2026, According to the Runways:

1. Show-Stopping Polka Dots

Launchmetrics Spotlight; Jacquemus; Nina Ricci; Dries Van Noten; Patou.

Style Notes: Thought you had seen the last of this distinct and repetitive trend? Think again! Polka dots are about to undergo yet another renaissance, courtesy of Jacquemus, Nina Ricci, Dries Van Noten and Patou. I’m seeing them, in multiples, across sheer gowns, full-length coats, fitted blazers and evening mini dresses, not only in black and white, but in dazzling primary tones, too. Clash yours with watercolour florals, pop-colour sneakers and exaggerated accessories for the full effect, time after time. Side ponytail, optional.

Shop the Trend:

Reformation

Carolina Silk Skirt

H&M

Gathered Strappy Dress

H&M

Tie-Neck Chiffon Blouse

Free People

Butterfly Babe Maxi Dress

SELF-PORTRAIT

Tie-Side Asymmetric Polka-Dot Satin-Crepe Mini Dress

2. Mix & Match Brights

Launchmetrics Spotlight; Versace; Nina Ricci; Valentino; Chloé.

Style Notes: I recently reported on the biggest colours that the runways had to offer for the spring/summer 2026 season, but the boldest of designers chose to mix and match these eye-popping shades for a thoroughly 80s take. We’re talking mint green against cobalt, lemon yellow paired with frosty blue, royal purple partnering with powder pink, and lastly, chartreuse harmonising with lapis blue. Nothing is off limits, as long as the tones in the look are picked from various sides of the colour wheel. Versace, Nina Ricci, Valentino and Chloé were the purveyors of this statement-making trend and showed just how expertly it can be donned for evening ensembles. See you at the discothèque!

Shop the Trend:

Massimo Dutti

Flowing Shirt With Snap Buttons

ZARA

Fine Knit Wool Blend Jumper

COS

Merino Wool V-Neck Jumper

HIGH SPORT

Louis Cropped Wool-Blend Slim-Leg Pants

M&S

Pure Merino Wool Crew Neck Jumper

3. Big Skirt Energy

Launchmetrics Spotlight; Caro Editions; Nicklas Skovgaard; Balenciaga; Mithridate.

Style Notes: Skirts are coming in all shapes, sizes and colours for 2026, holding a lighthearted and playful essence that only the 80s could muster. I’ve been tracking the rise and fall of certain hemlines for months, but it turns out, anything goes for the spring season. In Copenhagen, flippy, layered knee-length skirts took centre stage at Caro Editions, and lacy pencil peplums were all over the runway at Nicklas Skovgaard. In Paris, Balenciaga debuted drop-waist evening skirts in flowing, operatic lengths and killawatt colours (no doubt drawing inspo from their illustrious archives), and back in London, cutesy puffball minis in pastel hues had us all drooling on the FROW at Mithridate. I’m calling it now: skirt SZN is about to be full swing, and it’s gone all-out 80s.

Shop the Trend:

Hush

Ivy Pleated Air Flow Midi Skirt

H&M

Bubble-Hem Mini Skirt

STOULS

Ooma Ruched Suede Midi Skirt

Topshop

Topshop Drop Waist Saloon Maxi Skirt in Green

4. Door Knocker Earrings

Launchmetrics Spotlight; Acne Studios; Stella McCartney; Saint Laurent; Richard Quinn.

Style Notes: 80s style wouldn’t be complete without an ostentatiously big earring, and for 2026, the most headline-grabbing runway designers honoured that in spades. Acne Studios teamed XXL gemstones with glam-rock tailoring, and over at Stella McCartney, kitschy studs accessorised big-shouldered power suiting. The ears of Saint Laurent models were decorated with hefty pearl-embellished rhinestone charms, complete with anti-paparazzi sunglasses, and for Richard Quinn, his gang of debutantes got the memo with dangly diamantés skimming their shoulders. Dare I say it: the bigger, the better.