AW26 Runway Trends: Everything You Need to Know From Fashion Month
Fashion Month has officially come and gone — and what a feast it's been.From the bustling and fashionable streets of New York, London, Milan and Paris; our favourite brands have been unveiling their Autumn Winter RTW collections, one showstopper after another.
But beyond the spectacle, the set designs, and the celebrities, something more telling was unfolding on the catwalks: the trends. Despite the different aesthetics, there are certain silhouettes, textures and accessories that designers kept gravitating towards.
Consider this your runway debrief. Open those mood boards — it's time to dive in.
Peplums
Source: Christian Dior, Giovanni Giannoni/WWD
Source: Proenza Schouler, Giovanni Giannoni/WWD
Source: Cecile Bahnsen, Umberto Fratini
Source: Zoe Gustavia Anna Whalen
If Fashion Month made one thing clear, it's that peplums are back — and this time, for good. Those beloved 2010s silhouettes are looking better than ever, leaving you wondering why we ever retired this business-casual staple in the first place.
The trend's biggest champion? Jonathan Anderson. His Jardin des Tuileries-inspired collection was brimming with waist-cinching shapes that made the case better than anyone.
Cobalt Blue
Source: Balenciaga, Giovanni Giannoni/WWD
Source: Stella McCartney, Dominique Maitre/WWD
Source: Issey Miyake, Filipppo Fior
Source: Jil Sander, Giovanni Giannoni/WWD
Source: Paloma Wool
Move over, butter yellow, there's a new IT colour in town. Cobalt blue is making a serious play for Colour of the Year, its electric intensity dominating runways from start to finish. Stella McCartney went all in with a head-to-toe look, while Jil Sander deployed it as a sharp, deliberate pop of a sock. Adding blue socks to my cart rn.
Ponchos
Source: Proenza Schouler, Giovanni Giannoni/WWD
Source: Ermanno Scervino
Source: Chloé
Ponchos and boho tassels — it's an association that's hard to shake. But the poncho of 2026 has had a serious upgrade, emerging as an undeniably chic outerwear option. Just look at the effortless drapery of this Proenza Schouler look. On the other hand, Chloé fully leans into the 70s thread, proving that a little boho moment never really goes out of style.
Horse Girl Motifs
Source: Moschino, Giovanni Giannoni/WWD
Source: Stella McCartney, Dominique Maitre/WWD
Source : Ralph Lauren
Source: Chloé
Source : MM6 Maison Margiela
Fashion is firmly backing the Year of the Horse, and the Horse Girl is becoming more and more synonymous with the Cool Girl. Graphic horse prints, cowboy hats, saddle boots, neckerchief scarves and stirrup details are showing up everywhere — proof that this trend has well and truly gone off to the races.
Fur Scarves
Source : Eckhaus Latta, Giovanni Giannoni/WWD
Source: Diesel, Giovanni Giannoni/WWD
Source: Simone Rocha, Giovanni Giannoni/WWD
Source: Etro
There's something undeniably luxurious about fur at the neck. It’s instant glamour, no effort required. It dresses up any look with ease while keeping you cosy, which is a rare combination to pull off. And for those wanting to turn the dial up a little further, try a feather boa. Just look to Etro for proof.
Raincoats
Source: Calvin Klein Collection
Source: Lacoste, Giovanni Giannoni/WWD
Source: Tom Ford
À la American Psycho, the transparent raincoat is the latest example of luxury meeting practicality — and designers are obsessed. Tom Ford and Lacoste both made their case this season, proving that functional fashion isn't just a passing phase. And given the unpredictability of Australian weather, this is one trend I'm here for.
Chartreuse Green
Source: Nehera
Source: Staud
Source: Off-White
Source: Alaïa, Umberto Fratini
Named after the herbal French liqueur, chartreuse is a deceptively versatile shade. Although bold and funky on the surface, it is remarkably easy to build an outfit around. On the runway, designers leaned into colour-blocking it against cobalt blue or grounding it with warm earthy browns, proving this is far from a one-note colour.
Handmade Knitted Accessories
Source: Prada
Source: Ganni
Source: Stella McCartney, Dominique Maitre, WWD
Source : Missoni, Giovanni Giannoni/WWD
There's something about a knitted or crochet scarf that calls to mind the frazzled English woman: chaotic, charming, and entirely her own person. The antithesis of the clean girl aesthetic, she may be a little messy, but she's never boring. Prada, Ganni and Stella McCartney nail this energy perfectly with their clashing bright yarn combinations. Consider this your sign to pick up those needles and hooks.
Gigantic Flower Brooches
Source: Dior, Giovanni Giannoni
Source : Chanel, Dominique Maitre/WWD
Source: Palomo
Source: Sergio Hudson
The dramatic sister to the boutonniere, the oversized floral brooch is blooming all over the catwalk. Bold yet elegant, it has a transformative quality — the kind of detail that turns a good look into a great one. Try imagining these outfits without it. You can't, can you?
Hungry for more trend insights? Dive into our sneaker trend report, or explore our Best of Paris Couture Week rundown for more runway inspiration.
By Tabitha Lay
Fashion Writer & Trend Analyst
