SS26 Fashion Week Roundup: 8 Key Trends Stylists & Image Consultants Need to Know
- Louisa Gabriel
- Oct 10
- 5 min read
As the dust settles after another whirlwind fashion month, it’s clear that Spring/Summer 2026 will be a season of vibrant expression, fluid form, and tactile elegance. From the runways of New York, London, Milan, and Paris, designers presented a confident blend of color, utility, and craftsmanship that signaled a bold yet wearable direction for next year.
For personal stylists and image consultants, these collections offer more than inspiration; they provide valuable insight into what clients will be drawn to in the months ahead. Below, we break down the most important trends from the SS26 runways and explore how to translate them into real, client-ready wardrobes.
1. The Return of Vibrant Colour
After several seasons dominated by neutrals and soft pastels, color made a powerful comeback for Spring/Summer 2026. Shades of chartreuse, cobalt blue, and fiery red dominated across all four fashion capitals, signaling a collective mood of optimism and energy.
Designers played with monochromatic brights, tonal layering, and unexpected color pairings — like lemon yellow with olive, or lilac with rust — proving that bold color can still feel sophisticated.
Stylist takeaway: Encourage clients to add a strong pop of color into their wardrobe rotation. A chartreuse blouse under a neutral blazer or cobalt trousers paired with soft cream can create a confident yet wearable statement. For color analysis clients, explore ways these bold tones can align with their seasonal palette.
2. Utility Reinvented
Function met fashion in one of the most pervasive trends of the season: utility dressing with a luxury twist. Think cargo details, belted waists, and structured pockets — but executed in lightweight cottons, silks, and linen blends rather than heavy-duty fabrics.
The result was effortless practicality: city-appropriate silhouettes with a touch of adventure. Designers from Milan and New York leaned into earthy tones like khaki, sand, and slate, while Parisian houses balanced the look with tailored structure and minimalism.
Stylist takeaway: Use this trend to introduce versatile staples into a client’s wardrobe — pieces that are as practical as they are chic. A belted jumpsuit, sleeveless utility vest, or structured skirt with cargo-style detailing can work beautifully across multiple dress codes.
3. Soft Minimalism
While maximalists will rejoice in SS26’s color story, there’s also a calmer counterpoint emerging: soft minimalism. The look centers around fluid tailoring, relaxed silhouettes, and natural fabrics. Imagine deconstructed blazers, wide-leg trousers, and easy slip dresses in tones of ivory, dove grey, and biscuit.
This aesthetic is the evolution of “quiet luxury,” but with a more human, undone quality — waistbands unbuttoned, shirts loosely tucked, and fabrics that move with the body.
Stylist takeaway: For clients who love understated elegance, focus on minimalist separates that can be layered and reinterpreted throughout the season. Suggest a capsule of relaxed tailoring in breathable materials — think cotton-linen suiting or softly draped viscose.
4. Transparency and Sheer Layers
Sheer fabrics continued their dominance this season, but the look has matured. Designers showcased layered transparency — sheer skirts over shorts, mesh tops over bandeaus, and tulle dresses styled with structured tailoring underneath.
Rather than overt sensuality, the new approach celebrates texture, dimension, and lightness. Soft transparency gives depth to simple silhouettes, creating looks that feel ethereal yet grounded.
Stylist takeaway: Introduce transparency as a layering technique. A sheer blouse over a neutral tank, or a mesh overlay on a midi dress, adds subtle intrigue without feeling overly revealing — ideal for everyday wear or elevated evening styling.
5. Sculptural Volume
SS26 also embraced volume with purpose. Sleeves ballooned, skirts bubbled, and hems curved into rounded shapes. Designers experimented with architectural proportions, giving garments movement and strength while maintaining balance through cinched waists or minimal detailing.
This “sculptural femininity” was particularly striking in London and Paris, where exaggerated sleeves and bubble hems became the season’s hero shapes.
Stylist takeaway: When working with volume, balance is essential. Pair a voluminous top with a slim pencil skirt, or a bubble-hem skirt with a fitted bodice. For petite clients, choose structured volume over fabric-heavy layers to maintain proportion.
6. High Collars and Cape Silhouettes
Necklines rose dramatically this season, introducing a regal, almost futuristic edge to otherwise relaxed outfits. High collars, cape jackets, and funnel necks featured prominently across Paris and Milan, creating striking silhouettes that blend protection with poise.
These pieces add instant presence — ideal for clients who want to look polished without resorting to traditional tailoring.
Stylist takeaway: Recommend a cropped trench or cape-inspired blazer as a statement outer layer. These pieces can easily elevate simple jeans or dresses and are ideal for transitional dressing in cooler climates.
7. Modern Opulence
Feathers, metallics, and embellishment took center stage in eveningwear, with designers showing that glamour is back — but with restraint. Gone are the overly ornate gowns; instead, SS26 offered refined opulence: feather trims, crystal embroidery, and metallic fabrics softened by clean silhouettes.
Gold and silver reigned supreme, along with soft blush tones and ivory — a perfect nod to summer sophistication.
Stylist takeaway: Encourage clients to add a single “statement luxe” piece to their wardrobes — such as a feather-trimmed blouse, sequinned skirt, or metallic heel. These items work beautifully for events, weddings, and parties, giving that high-fashion edge without going overboard.
8. Statement Accessories
Accessories took a sculptural turn for Spring/Summer 2026. The oversized tote evolved into structured, architectural bags — often with curved lines or vintage-inspired metal clasps. Footwear leaned toward chunky yet elegant: wedge sandals, platform mules, and square-toe designs.
Jewelry was equally bold, with exaggerated cuffs, geometric earrings, and layered metallic chokers. This season’s accessories were about character and confidence, acting as punctuation marks rather than afterthoughts.
Stylist takeaway: Guide clients toward investing in standout accessories that can refresh existing outfits. A single statement bag or bold earring set can modernize an entire capsule collection.
How Stylists Can Translate SS26 Trends into Client Work
Create a Trend Capsule: Build a 6–8 piece capsule inspired by one dominant runway theme (color, volume, or utility). This helps clients experiment without feeling overwhelmed.
Personalize the Trend: Trends are most powerful when they feel authentic. Tailor color, silhouette, and fabric recommendations to your client’s unique style identity and lifestyle needs.
Mix Practical and Playful: Combine everyday functionality with one high-fashion element. For example, a neutral utility jacket styled with a sheer skirt adds dimension while remaining wearable.
Educate Through Styling Sessions: Use the new season’s themes to demonstrate styling principles — such as balancing volume, layering texture, or introducing color. This keeps your services fresh and trend-led.
Refresh Client Wardrobes Thoughtfully: Encourage clients to update selectively. Reworking existing pieces with fresh accessories or layering techniques can achieve the SS26 look sustainably.
Spring/Summer 2026 celebrates individuality, artistry, and renewal. The collections across New York, London, Milan, and Paris championed bold color, sculptural silhouettes, and easy modern elegance — an ideal mix for stylists helping clients express personal style with confidence.
For image professionals, the takeaway is clear: this season isn’t about following trends blindly but interpreting them intelligently. Whether it’s through a single vibrant hue, a reimagined trench, or a sheer layering moment, SS26 invites us to embrace creativity while keeping authenticity at the core of every look.
Happy Styling!
Louisa 💕