2026 fashion trend predictions: the maximalist rebellion
Before fashion fully leans into chaos, 2025 feels like the pause in between.
Polka dots and sequins resurface, 2015 silhouettes quietly slip back into wardrobes, and familiar icons from the return of the Chloé Paddington bag to the comeback of capri pants and a hint at a short-lived nostalgia moment. Beauty loosens up too, with glossy lips, flushed cheeks, and eyeliner worn with less precision. The past makes an appearance, but it doesn’t linger. By 2026, fashion stops looking back altogether, turning toward louder styling, stronger opinions and a growing ease with taking risks. Perfection fades out, personality steps forward.
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Prints get wilder: Bye Leopard
Donatella Versace (Photo: Getty Images)
Model Yasmeen Ghauri. (Photo: Getty Images)
As much as we love the leopard print—and let’s be honest, it’s timeless—but 2026 is ready to shake things up. Animal prints are evolving, moving beyond the familiar spots we’ve seen on repeat for years. Tiger stripes, zebra patterns and even deer motifs are stepping into the spotlight, offering a fresh, unexpected take on wild style.
These prints feel bolder, more adventurous, and infinitely more playful, letting outfits make a statement without tipping into cliché. It’s not just clothing; we might be seeing these animal motifs appear on statement bags, turning accessories into the ultimate finishing touch. The key this year is variety and surprise: mix patterns, layer textures, and let these prints inject personality and energy into every part of your look.
Colour on colour
Dries Van Noten’s Autumn/Winter 2009–10 (Photo: Getty Images)
Valentino Spring 2024 Couture runway (Photo: Getty Images)
2026 is all about pairing colours that technically shouldn’t work together. Think lime with rust, lavender with mustard, or fuchsia with electric blue. These deliberate clashes aren’t mistakes; they’re confident statements. The louder and more unexpected the combination, the more personality it carries. It’s a shift away from safe palettes and easy neutrals, encouraging bolder choices that feel expressive, playful and unapologetically individual. In 2026, colour isn’t just an accent—it’s the main character.
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Plaids and tartans
'Louth Tartan' motif - influenced by traditional Scottish Highland regalia (Photo: Instagram/@viviennewestwood)
Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood (Photo: Getty Images)
“I’m trying to make tartans a thing,” as singer PinkPantheress said, and fashion appears to be paying attention. In 2026, plaids and tartans may return with renewed edge, echoing the rebellious legacy of Vivienne Westwood.
Asymmetric cuts, raw finishes, and deliberate layering pull these patterns away from tradition and into something far more expressive. Once associated with uniformity, tartan now reads as a marker of attitude; subtle in form but unmistakably defiant in spirit.
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Slouchy boots and colourful tights
NYC FW08 (Photo by Kyle Ericksen/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Mid-calf to knee-high styles bring a worn-in ease that instantly relaxes an outfit (Photo: Getty Images)
Highly structured boots are beginning to fade, making way for slouchy silhouettes that feel softer and more effortless. Mid-calf to knee-high styles bring a worn-in ease that instantly relaxes an outfit. While colourful tights quietly re-emerged in 2025, 2026 is expected to take them further, leaning into bolder shades, sharper contrasts and more deliberate styling. Worn together, slouchy boots and statement tights strike a balance between comfort and expression. The direction is already taking shape through style icons like Bella Hadid, Rihanna, and Sophie Turner, pointing toward a fashion moment defined by ease, individuality and understated confidence.
Tailoring with a twist
Thierry Mugler Ready to Wear Fall/Winter 1989-1990 fashion show during the Paris Fashion Week in 1989.(Photo: Getty Images )
Schiaparelli Haute Couture Spring Summer 2023 (Photo by Estrop/Getty Images)
We love a good oversized blazer look, but 2026 might be all about tailoring that actually flatters and makes a statement.
Think sharply cut pieces that cinch the waist, highlight the silhouette, and give even the most structured blazer a sense of movement. Corset-inspired details and precise cuts turn power dressing into something playful, bold and unmistakably stylish. This year, tailoring isn’t just about polish or formality; it’s about showing personality, mixing structure with flair, and making every outfit feel intentional.
Makeup gets playful
Makeup by Nina Park (Photo: Instagram/@ninapark)
Makeup by Sophia Sinot (Photo: Instagram/@sophiasinot)
The era of “clean girl” makeup is over. In 2026, beauty is all about expression and personality, taking cues from artists like Nina Park, who champions bold, playful, and unexpected looks, and Zara Larsson, whose colourful, statement-making makeup effortlessly blends fun with confidence.
Flushed cheeks, graphic liners, and pops of colour replace minimalism, creating makeup that feels intentional rather than overly polished. It’s about embracing imperfection, showing character and making every look unmistakably your own.
Side bangs make a comeback
Dua Lipa. (Photo: Instagram/@dualipa)
Bella Hadid. (Photo: Getty Images)
Side bangs might be making a comeback in 2026, and honestly, we love it. Sleek, soft, or a little messy, they frame your face beautifully and give any outfit an extra touch of personality. More than just a fringe, they add depth, attitude, and a playful edge, especially when paired with bold or maximalist looks. Small, but mighty, side bangs are that effortless detail that just screams confidence, without even trying.
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2026 will be all about taking risks, mixing textures and letting your personality lead the way. From bold colour clashes and playful prints to cinched blazers, statement tights and side bangs that frame your face, it’s a year to have fun with fashion. Wear it confidently, unapologetically, and most importantly, like yourself.
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