Pictured above: Designer Oscar Ouyang focuses on gender-neutral fashion and innovative knitwear.
Photo: Jasmine Engel-Malone, British Fashion Council
From the bold return of the ‘80s to Wild West influences, whimsical glamour and unapologetic glitz, this season is all about having fun with fashion…
If you’re anything like us, you’ll be looking forward to Autumn, our favourite sartorial season.
While last year’s fashion mood was quiet and understated, Autumn/Winter ‘26 is turning up the volume. This season blends glamour, nostalgia, and practicality—often within the same outfit—and the best part? These trends are highly wearable.
Colour takes a confident turn, balancing rich, enveloping shades with unexpected flashes of vibrancy. Deep chocolate brown, burgundy and midnight navy provide a sophisticated foundation, while scarlet red, electric blue and jewel-like purple bring energy and drama to the season. Softer notes of creamy ivory and butter yellow offer a lighter counterpoint, creating a palette that feels both luxurious and modern. Rather than relying solely on traditional autumnal tones, AW26 invites us to experiment with colour—layering, clashing and wearing unexpected shades together to create a wardrobe that feels expressive, considered and distinctly individual.
Suede coat with Mongolian fur sleeves and collar from Sinead Gorey. £585
Accessories are taking centre stage, with opera gloves, feathers, and boho jewellery leading the trend. The standout piece this season is undoubtedly the statement brooch. From Tory Burch’s playful pins shaped like sardines (a favourite of Claire’s) to floral designs, swallows, bows, and even beetles (yes, you read that right), there’s a wide variety to choose from. Iconic jewellery brands such as Tiffany & Co., Boucheron, and Cartier showcased brooches in their latest collections. Layer them in clusters, cinch them with a scarf, or pin them to a hat or bag; brooches even made an appearance in menswear collections.
London-based designer Erdem is known for his crafted romantic style and embroidered elements
Cowboy-chic-inspired accents are also big news: fringing, big-buckle belts, and neckerchief bandanas. The cowboy is no longer a literal character, but an attitude—expressed through supple suede, worn-in leather, fluid denim and a flash of fringe. Cowboy boots are the natural starting point, slipping effortlessly beneath long skirts, tailored trousers and dresses, while sculptural belts and understated Western detailing lend an element of frontier romance. The result is less rodeo, more relaxed, sensual and just the right side of rebellious.
There is also a renewed appetite for old-school glamour. The skirt suit is back, but it has been softened and modernised, with velvet, satin, ruffles, and Art Deco-inspired embellishments bringing eveningwear drama into the everyday wardrobe. Chanel, Valentino, Lanvin and Prada are among the houses exploring versions of this more expressive mood.
Erdem’s Embroidered Textured Satin Strapless Midi Dress. Price on request
Designers are looking back to the 1930s, 1980s, and early 2000s, reworking vintage silhouettes rather than simply copying them. At Prada, Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons have championed clothes with lasting appeal, while bold accessories—including statement boots—give classic outfits a fresh edge.
For outerwear, the bomber jacket is emerging as one of the season’s key shapes. Isabel Marant, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Chanel and Balenciaga all offered elevated interpretations, proving that sporty pieces can look just as sophisticated as traditional coats. Leather, oversized proportions and heritage-inspired tailoring are also prominent.
London brings its own character to the season. Burberry’s Daniel Lee reworked the familiar trench with an exaggerated ruffle collar, while Simone Rocha mixed romantic details with sportswear and Adidas.
Marking the brands 20th anniversary, Erdem’s collection entitled The Imaginary Conversation explored a dialogue between past and present. Contrasting silhouettes; voluminous panniered skirts with delicate denim bra tops.
Daniel Roseberry for Schiaparelli paired haute couture techniques with synthetic materials, swapping silk and satins for latex and silicone. (If you haven’t already seen it, don’t miss the Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art exhibition at the V & A, running until November 8th.)
But remember, the most thoughtful wardrobe isn’t necessarily the newest one; it’s one curated with intention and styled with cherished pieces alongside exciting new finds. Take inspiration from Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, who turned the traditional runway format on its head. Just 15 models presented 60 looks, each returning four times as layers were shed, revealing an entirely new silhouette beneath. Bella Hadid, for example, moved from a layered combination of outerwear and sheer separates to a printed cotton-poplin dress, before revealing a more pared-back pairing of a wool vest and tonal shorts. The effect was theatrical, but the message was remarkably practical: fashion is not about wearing a look just once, but about discovering how the same pieces can shift, transform and take on a new life.
AW26 embodies contrast: heritage versus futurism, comfort alongside glamour, and minimalism compared to maximalism. The most intriguing trend may be the freedom to merge all these elements, which makes the season feel fresh and exciting.
This article also appears in the autumn edition of Premier Magazine
