Written by Zoё Frantz
Edited by Léah Champagne
Here we are again—the clock strikes midnight on December 31, and we celebrate the start of another year. The new year can signal a renewal in numerous ways: some may resolve to pick up a new hobby, or perhaps quit a pesky habit. For others, myself included, the new year marks a blank canvas for designers and the masses to determine the sartorial climate of the next twelve months. 2025 was marked by several phenomena spanning fashion and other cultural spheres. This included the rise of the tabi in popular fashion, the prominence of the “performative male” archetype—with previous renditions including the “male manipulator”—and the discourse surrounding the proliferation of artificial intelligence, which has since reached all corners of the internet.
In the wake of such developments, 2026 presents an opportunity to return to fun, imperfection, and a focus on the little things. Social media users have already begun pushing back against AI for its eerily perfect images, including lifestyle creator Lara Violetta, who has rebelled by posting a series of intentionally messy makeup looks. Moreover, in the air, a desire lingers to celebrate the simple joys and incorporate a bit of whimsy and playfulness into the everyday. Some have prophesied that 2026 will mark a return to 2016 in the face of economic recession concerns and technological unease. Others claim that we will instead witness a return to the early-2010s. That is, a time when individuals personalized their possessions with extra buttons and similar accoutrements, and the ideal Saturday was spent at the mall, window-shopping with friends, or watching the latest film in theatres.
Some have even called for the reemergence of physical media (like DVDs and CDs) and flip phones as explicit material manifestations of these yearnings. I would instead venture to say that rather than focusing on specific “cores,” or a particular era, 2026 fashion will comprise a shift in mindset that encompasses styles from across fashion’s history. Specifically, a return to the joy of ornamentation, especially in small, unexpected ways and on a budget.
Colour
To begin, despite Pantone’s declaration that the colour of 2026 is “Cloud Dancer,” a rather uninspiring and unimaginative shade of white, the most significant trend emerging in 2026 will be colour-blocking, especially with neons. This is certainly not new to 2026, nor is it exclusive to the “twee” fashion movement of the early 2010s; if anything, it can be traced back to the late 1940s, with several resurgences since then. However, in 2026, colour blocking will occur with some self-awareness and a sense of irony. Fashion personalities like Olivia Halle have been experimenting with the concept in new ways, including the neon orange baby slogan tee and turquoise petticoat she pairs with large sunglasses and striped stiletto heels below. Similarly, independent clothing brands like OGBFF have found new ways to incorporate these bold hues. Some iterations include bag charms featuring quippy expressions stamped in neon print onto neon leather, and slogans from popular culture on resin bangles resembling the slap bracelets of the late 1980s and early 1990s (also below).
Textures
Along with neons, mixing different fabrics and patterns will provide another avenue of playful expression this year. Fur and leather jackets will continue to hold a seminal place in many people’s outerwear wardrobes, but, in addition to these, other patterns will be reimagined. For example, lace has already been incorporated into maxi skirts and tank tops, especially for the warmer months. However, this year will go a step further, with lace being used for belts and stockings. In addition, already-popular intarsia sweaters will now be made in mohair and other textured fabrics first popularized in the 1990s and since revived, such as the one Chloe McGruff wears in Season 1 of Don’t Trust the B***h in Apartment 23 (2012). Moreover, rather than opting for oversized varieties, tight-fitting jumpers will become the standard. In a similar vein, chunky glitter will become a part of mainstream casual wear, whether it be in tank tops or handbags, to make a statement in an otherwise plain outfit. Other typically “outlandish” textures will proliferate in the fashion world as well. This could be fringe showing up in unexpected places—such as on backless dresses—or chainmail made of soda can tabs, a nod to the emergent “castle core” phenomenon of 2025. Finally, vibrant and funky patterns will become a pillar of 2026 fashion—last year was characterized by every rendition of stripes and polka dots, from ballet flats to blazers, but this year will depart from these seminal patterns for something more whimsical. This may include cheetah print or embroidered stockings, or photos and hand-drawn designs printed onto dresses, such as those from brands like Cherry Kitten.
Accessories
Jewelry and other accenting additions will likewise take on a more playful tone in the coming months. Where chunky scarves made of thick wool have been a part and parcel of fashion for the past few years, skinny scarves, both knit and sparkly, will become the new staple. Though these may lack the same practical benefits as those of their predecessor, their intention will be rooted in fashion rather than warmth. Bangles and other adornments will take on a variety of forms this year; some people may opt for skinnier bangles, though stacking jewelry will remain en vogue. Others will seek out more avant-garde modes of embellishment, such as anatomical and ornamental jewelry, respectively imitating the body (especially the knuckles or even wrist bones), and pushing the boundaries of what jewelry can be (such as rings with charms or piercings). Others still will return to resin jewelry, which was popular during the pandemic, especially brands like La Manso. However, this time such styles will be stripped down to the basics, with a focus on form and colour over jewels and other add-ons. Fingerless gloves and opera gloves, although not the most practical, will represent another way for individuals to add a bit of drama to their outfits. Last, more subversive forms of headwear will become paramount. Bold hair clips will be worn to personalize outfits, through coordinating their colour to another part of the outfit, or by adding an interesting shape to a look. Meanwhile, cadet caps, skull caps, and sailor hats will also be popularized this year, building on the Y2K offshoots of recent years.
Footwear
The boho revival of 2025 foreshadowed what is to come as the days get longer and warmer. As winter comes to an end, the flat sneakers that pay homage to decades before and have dominated mainstream fashion for the past couple of years will begin to lose traction, and in their wake, the wedge sneaker will resurface. The ballet flat has already marked a re-normalization of wearing elevated basics in casual settings, and Isabel Marant’s archival revival on websites like Grailed and Depop has only fueled the rebirth of sneakers with a twist. Knee-high boots laden with buckles, notably Steve Madden’s Rockyy boot, maintained a hold on fashion connoisseurs in late 2024 and throughout last year. However, in 2026, simplified riding boots will take their place, boasting fewer buckles in place of sleek design for versatility across casual and more formal settings. Other styles, such as moto and boxer boots, will carry on the buckle boot’s legacy of embellishment, albeit with a more rugged, messy flair. Tabis have also become a mainstream motif in the last 18 months or so; inspired by it, square-toed boots, especially Chelsea boots, and lace-up designs reminiscent of military motifs from years past will emerge. Finally, into the summer, heeled clogs will serve as an elevated version of the Birkenstock Boston, and flip-flops from brands like Havaianas, which have experimented with rivets and different configurations of their beloved sandals, will provide another option for warmer climates.
Details
Added touches in otherwise mundane places are not a new concept; the “Birkenification” of handbags in 2024 became widespread, inspired by none other than Jane Birkin’s ornamentation of her purses in the 1960s and later revival of this practice in the early 2000s. Though this perhaps came to an end once Labubus became memeified in 2025, attention to detail will remain a pillar of self-expression in the 2026 fashion community. Drawing on the nautical trends seen in summer 2024 and 2025, sailor and other large buttons will make a reappearance on micro shorts and even Napoleon jackets or chore coats. Moreover, prize badges and other vintage pins will accent every array of clothing items. On the other hand, while bold shapes for glasses will continue to be favoured, frames will now be thinner than in years past. The range of what constitutes a belt is set to expand, with miniskirts now being shortened to slip over trousers, and small belt buckles being replaced with larger ones to make a statement. Long sleeves under t-shirts were popular last year, but this pairing will now feature a monochromatic approach, offering a more understated composition reminiscent of a classically skater-esque style. Similarly, cropped baby tees have already begun to dwindle in popularity among young adults, and this trend will continue this year, with individuals opting instead for full-length, though similarly slim-fitting designs. Moreover, ringer and slogan tees with playful expressions will rise in the face of the previously popular band tee.
Lace-up details on clothing are expected to return this year, though not in the way that plagued 2016 (horrifiedly, I am immediately reminded of the t-shirts that tied up around the collar). Rather, this will be imagined in a rockstar milieu, with pants whose fly ties rather than zips up, or whose outseam constitutes a long string of leather cord which ties around the ankle. In general, embracing the unconventional will mark 2026—besides tie-up details, this may include ties as scarves or belts, bandanas as arm cuffs, buttons on acrylic nails, or even iPod shuffles as hair clips. Carried with this burgeoning notion is a sense of irony and playfulness that not only questions what is chic but also undermines the idea of having one uniform style or aesthetic.
Beauty
Finally, hair and makeup are set to take on a more playful tone this calendar year. As mentioned, countermeasures have already been taken against AI’s airbrushing of our otherwise human world, including the work of Lara Violetta, among others. “Lived-in” makeup, then, will be at the center of the beauty world for 2026. This could include slightly smudged lips lacking the crisp outline that has long characterized many makeup looks, or using the same blush as a lipstick. Trends of doing a bold eye or a bold lip, but not both, likewise suggest that people are striving to bring humanity back into their routines. Hair will follow a similar suit—the bob will remain a seminal shorter hair option for those who may have grown tired of long hair, or simply want a change, and the baby doll bang acts as a fun divergence from everyday fringes. Moreover, pastel hair colours with a dark root, which hark back to the mid- and late-2010s, signal a revival of the real-life, one in which people do not rush to get their roots touched up to appear perfect. Finally, hair tinsel will become popular, especially in evening settings, as a cost-effective and temporary way for people to have fun with their hair and experiment with their look.
To conclude, while 2026 will take inspiration from the 2010s, to say that it will mark a return to 2016 seems a gross overstatement. What will truly characterize 2026 is its attitude toward fashion and personal style; that is, the belief that there is not one right way to dress, nor one guiding aesthetic. The emphasis will be on recycling the past, whether it be the 1960s (colourblocking and “Birkenification”), the 1980s (home to the original arbiters of neon), or the late 1990s/early 2000s (hair tinsel and mohair sweaters), in ways that speak to each individual. Regardless of what the year holds for everyone, one thing is certain: fashion is going to be fun again.