Fashion Month is officially over, wrapped up with Miu Miu’s star-studded runway closing Paris Fashion Week, which means we fashion lovers are now armed with all the information we need to know what’s going to be big – and I can tell you there’s a rich buffet of styles to choose from this season.
From high lace collars at Collina Strada to high vamp heels at Chanel, there were plenty of notable moments and trends to follow. If that seems like a lot to take in and predict what the situation will be, you’re not wrong… but that’s what we’re all about!
I’m always looking for brands that inspire me and fit my eclectic style. When it comes to fashion, I’m not one to be slow to indulge, so I immediately started planning how to incorporate these trends into my current wardrobe.
(Photo credit: Sarah Chiwaya)
Some of the trends that dominated the Fall-Winter 2026 ads continued from the Summer-Summer season, including the lush fringe and the fluid shape. Classic, flowy fringe appeared everywhere, hanging from long scarves and sweater epaulets at Etro and flowing from the largest flowers in the last dress of Sarah Burton’s Givenchy. If you prefer something unusual, this style may be for you. From Diotima’s delicate knit coats to Bottega’s artificial-looking pieces that rocked like high-fashion Koosh Balls, fringes showed no signs of slowing down. I was tempted to recreate the chic white button-down-and-fluffy-fringe-skirt combo from Michael Kors’ 45th anniversary show, but it felt like a sister when I looked at another one I wrote, inspired by the Summer Games-Summer 2026-and there are many more to explore!
Volume and Sequins
(Photo credit: Sarah Chiwaya)
Volume was a big theme from New York to Paris, with lots of structured peplums, bustles, and flounces appearing in aesthetics from boho to minimalist. Then there were the creative styles from up-and-coming designers, like breezy balloon dresses at Tabbe, pannier skirts at Menyelek, and — a personal favorite — the perfect, over-the-top ball gown at Chuks Collins. Heritage references were all in abundance, with tailored hip dresses and sculpted leather blazers at Junya Watanabe, heaps of ruffles wrapped at Dior, and feathery shoulders and long sculpted peplum tops at McQueen. Indeed, it seemed that peplums in particular were taking over.
As a newcomer to the fashion scene, I have to admit that I’ve been eyeing the peplum trend since it started making a comeback, but not because of anything related to the trend itself! As anyone who worked in fashion can tell you, peplums were unavoidable in the collective market throughout the first half of the 2010s (incl. well after they leave the general fashion zeitgeist). This was not because buyers and sellers disproportionately liked the method; it was mainly because the product managers thought we did it, as it was normally “praise”. But the result was a large number of other options that looked like they were old. So imagine my surprise when I found myself drawn to the peplums I was seeing on the FW26 runways!
BE CAREFUL
Curve Compact Knit Peplum Top in Oyster
Selkie
Silk Satin Powder Gossamer Corset
(Photo credit: Sarah Chiwaya)
Paillettes were another trend that stood out to me this year. Although the sequins will not be completely out of style (see Schiaparelli’s beautiful mixed look from their RTW show), their maximalist big sister – paillettes – are ready to take center stage this fall. These wide, hanging discs were seen on all the lovely girls this season, from strategically placed on the diaphanous chiffon skirts of Marni to the stark contrast with the colorful layer of Christopher John Rogers. Inspired by the past for this look, I layered a black paillette top from ASOS over the green of this delicate Baacal dress. If you want to appreciate the let it happen The vibe of the Miu Miu show, you can wear this shirt as it is for an oversized tee silhouette. At first I was planning this look, but while playing around with Croptuck (my favorite TikTok tool for wearing shirts without waistbands), I realized that I could pull off a peplum silhouette by cinching the waist of this great top – a great way for me to try this style without buying something new.
I was even more surprised by how surprised I was loved it. The shape felt purposeful, not like an attempt to hide my body, and echoed some of my favorite moments on the runway this season, with a tight waist and hip tone. The bright contrast of the sweet Miyake-esque dress has prevented the look from reading too much for the holidays now, but I’m sure I’ll be using this faux-peplum style again come holiday season. I finished my look with a few mules, and I added a large trench for the chilly day.
I spoke
Pailette Embellished Maxi Dress
BE CAREFUL
Curve Geo Fringe Cami Column Maxi Dress in Moss Green
BE CAREFUL
Curve Dripping Floral Beautifully Embellished Off Shoulders Open Back Maxi Dress In Black
BE CAREFUL
Curve Sheer Grid Sequin Black Tee – Part of the Set
BE CAREFUL
Curve Sheer Grid Sequin Maxi Skirt In Black – Part Of The Set
BE CAREFUL
Curve Embellished with Disc Sequin Square Neck Full Skirt Midi Dress in Blue
Lace, Leather, and Animal Print
(Photo credit: Sarah Chiwaya)
As a color lover, I’ll admit that the news that black was the top color for FW ’26 didn’t make me happy, but I do love any excuse to get creative! So I decided to add interest to the palette with some of the techniques I suggested this time.
I combined the resurgence of leather pants (as seen in Khaite, Tods, and Altuzarra) with the fun lace style that I loved from Christian Cowan and Saint Laurent, among many others. The contrast of rich navy faux leather and black lace really spoke to me, especially with the faux effect of the neutral bralette on top. I finished the look with a cropped cape trench and snip-toe ankle boots in another style: An unexpected animal print.
(Photo credit: Sarah Chiwaya)
Like sequins, I don’t think leopard print will ever go out of style, but I’m still enjoying the variety of animal prints that have been hitting the runways lately: Tiger at Kim Shui, zebra at Fendi, python at Sergio Hudson, and many more. I know I’ll be wearing my fuzzy fur coats again, but for now, I want to add some accents to the print style. These brown and black cow print boots are a perfect example: The slim shape complements the flare of the pants, and keeps my ankles warm in this transition period where the weather changes between snow and summer.
Pieces Plus
Cow Print Front Long Sleeve Tie
Anthropology
Pilcro Fawn Print Denim Jacket
Anthropology
Sanctuary Soiree Plus Printed Barn Jacket
Lower Your Waist
(Photo credit: Sarah Chiwaya)
One of the most popular styles of silhouettes during this period was the rise and fall of the waist. This was one that encompassed elegance, from vintage tailoring at Carolina Herrera to sequins and feathers at Christian Siriano to bohemian luxe at Zimmermann to full-on tricks at Jane Wade. But the person carrying the true status of the season from the waist down this season is undoubtedly Mathieu Blazy. Her style of dropping the waist at Chanel was low in the 1920s (some almost reaching the knees!), some versions rely on the bulbous volume at the top and others present a modern take on the classic flapper style. The effects of these low-end phones are amazing, but they can also be scary – and because Blazy really shakes things up, there’s very little on the market right now that can compare. Fortunately, if you’re looking for a more affordable version of this style, there are plenty of great options to buy right now.
This mixed media dress from NYC label Hutch is a perfect example. A curved waist still gives a visual effect of style, but without a sharp straight line that can sometimes feel like it’s directly emphasizing the belly. The included belt is detachable, and the fit is just adjusted to the bodice without it, so if you want to be more flattering, you can simply remove it. And I absolutely love the lightness and mobility of the dress!
For this look, I styled the outfit with high vamp metallic pumps and a cute little Alexis Bittar clutch in another animal print that was all over the place at the moment: the classic Leopard. Although the images of exotic animals still have time, the leopard was still a big player, whether it was a luxurious leopard dress at Marni, made in black and white at Carolina Herrera, with thin scarves and leopard dresses floating at Zadig + Voltaire, and bright dresses and coats in what was the last collection of Harris Reed for Nina Ricci. This cute clutch also has a molten-metal vibe that I love, so it will be in my closet this year and beyond.
BE CAREFUL
Curve Gathered Drape Maxi Dress With Cinched Waist In Red
BE CAREFUL
Customize the Curve Knit Short Sleeve Hybrid Midi Dress in Buttermilk
BE CAREFUL
Contrasting Off Shoulder Hybrid Maxi Skirt In Black And Buttermilk
#Fall #Plans #Shop #Style #Ahead