, The Sunday Times
Spring has sprung in the fashion world and that means plenty of exciting trends to observe, explore and potentially embrace. Although florals and utility dressing are hardly brand-new ideas, designers have given them a new spin for 2026.
Take the reinterpretation of utility dressing — in previous seasons, the focus has been on relaxed menswear-inspired workwear staples, but for spring your favourite multi-pocketed pieces have been given the grown-up treatment. Sharply tailored separates with a utility flair are paired with grown-up handbags and minimal accessories. It’s not just about beige and khaki either — soft blues, punchy greens and crisp white give a more urban twist on the trend. For inspiration on how to upgrade a jumpsuit for the boardroom, look to Prada and Calvin Klein.
At the other end of the spectrum is a new interest in bold florals. From Chloé and Celine to Loewe and Rabanne, bright, retro-inspired floral looks were all over the recent catwalks. There’s nothing bridesmaid coded about these pieces, however — wafty, long dresses are replaced with tiny minidresses, and bold separates and tops reveal some skin. If the full floral extravaganza is too overpowering for you, dial down the print with a pair of high-waisted leggings, neutral layers or a classic pair of shoes. We’re coming up roses indeed.
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Back to basics
With classic cotton shirts, menswear-inspired trousers and a proper handbag to go with everything, embrace a new normal this spring
Bag, £2,950, fendi.com
Skirt, £570, amiparis.com
Dress, £2,090, loewe.com
Sandals, £89, dunelondon.com
Clutch, £15,050, bottegaveneta.com
Belt, £190, uk.isseymiyake.com
Trench, £1,790, maxmara.com
Shirt, £295, joseph-fashion.com
Jacket, £188, freepeople.com
Shoes, £650, stellamccartney.com
Shirt, £1,010, and trousers, £1,100, prada.com
Watch, £34,800, vacheron-constantin.com
Sunglasses, £179, maje.com
Necklace, £3,300, hermes.com
• Eight wardrobe updates for spring 2026, chosen by our fashion editor
The new romantics
Worn with slick separates and angular shapes, this season’s prints are florals as you’ve never seen them before
Dress, £1,490, stellamccartney.com
Cardigan, £390, toteme.com
Earrings, £280, jenniferbehr.com
Sunglasses, £14, next.co.uk
Bustier bodysuit, £2,598, magdabutrym.com
Jacket, £1,230, By Malene Birger, modaoperandi.com
Earrings, £5, newlook.com
Jacket, £1,675, and matching trousers, £895, zimmermann.com
Shoes, £1,150, dior.com
Dress, £1,380, chloe.com
Leggings, £69, thewhitecompany.com
Bag, £895, malonesouliers.com
Mules, £430, thejude.com
Shirt, £1,350, givenchy.com