SS26 Trend Reports: Unexpected and exciting trends we will see this year

With each fashion week we see the emerging trends that will pave the way for retailers and consumers alike. This season, inspirations ranged from throwbacks to the era of Coco Chanel and her revolutionary drop-waist silhouette dresses — which offered comfort without compromising on chicness, reminiscent of the Great Gatsby and Jazz era. Architectural silhouettes and exaggerated proportions in the way of balloon pants and the use of wire to create interesting shapes are some of the choices we can look forward to in the new year. All in all, it is poised to be an exciting period for fashion.

Balloon Pants:

fashion

A year of seismic shifts in global fashion

Trousers have continued to become voluminous with every season and with this latest iteration the proportions take on, dare I say, clownish proportions. Balloon pants became evident last year and we’ve seen a variety of them already in our local stores. These pants when styled correctly not only offer comfort but a fresh look for the new season. Very similar to harem pants that have been a boho aesthetic for the longest time but these are different as they have a slightly more sophisticated look. If you are thinking of wearing these to the office, style it with a crisp t-shirt and blazer or perhaps a collared shirt with a pair of heels. For a night out, why not pair it with a cute crop top and sexy heels.

Launchmetrics/Spotlight Francesco Murano S26

Wired Structure:

Not necessarily a practical or an easily wearable trend, but the use of supportive materials like wire to create interesting shapes and structure were all the rage with designers. Courregès’s Nicolas Di Felice, Gucci’s Demna, and Melitta Baumeister were just some of the designers to offer us silhouettes that speak to creativity and defying the norms of what can be considered everyday wear. Fashion is considered wearable art and these designers are embracing this statement.

Launchmetrics/Spotlight Gucci S26- Wired Structure Trend

All That Jazz:

Last year was the 100th anniversary of Art Deco and the famed Jazz novel The Great Gatsby which celebrated all things Jazz. So it was fitting to see this trend pop up whether intentional or not on the SS26 runways. We saw similar silhouettes and designs which emulated the era defined by the Jazz movement and to see it being embraced in a fresh and updated fashion for 2026 is exciting. This revival saw brands like Erdem, Matthieu Blazy for Chanel and Tory Burch, send their interpretation of the trend down the runway. Erdem offered a look that could easily have been worn during that era, where Matthieu gave a more modern iteration which ensured you could embrace the spirit of the trend with his subtle nods to it. I would say this can be worn a lot more effortlessly in your everyday life vs only on a specific occasion.