Trend Preview! Fall/Winter 2026: Why You Should Pay Attention to Your Shoulders and Colors
It seems like spring is just really starting now, but I'm already thinking about fall/winter trends. It's actually only natural — with fashion week season all wrapped up, this is an important moment for editors. It's time to infer and analyze what will be popular next season. Since time flies and seasons can change in an instant, I also want to set the direction of my style in advance. After all, nobody wants to be caught off guard by suddenly cold weather, right?
Compared to the Fall/Winter 2025 season, the upcoming fall trends don't seem likely to change dramatically. I felt that the eras and sources of inspiration being referenced were similar to last year. It's just that overall the mood is more dramatic and bolder. Shall we take a closer look below?
Era of Inspiration: the 1980s
Photo: Launchmetrics Spotlight, GoRunway, collage by María San Millán
On the Spring/Summer 2025 runways, styles inspired by 1980s fashion stood out. Altuzarra in particular did so. It seems that the 1980s have now fully taken hold at most fashion houses. In other words, the 1980s have become an 'absolute reference.' For the Fall/Winter 2026 season, 1980s elements will be expressed more clearly and boldly. Think narrower waists, more pronounced shoulder pads, and more intense color combinations. It feels like a full return to the most exaggerated and glamorous era of the 20th century. This trend was strongly evident at Valentino and Mugler. In contrast, Stella McCartney and Isabel Marant emphasized a more relaxed and sporty feel. Loro Piana reinterpreted it with a more restrained and luxurious mood. Rabanne showcased styling that utilized layering.
Key Color: Aubergine
Photo: Launchmetrics Spotlight, GoRunway, collage by María San Millán
It was already forecast, but the color that will cover the end of this year is undoubtedly purple. Among them, a deep purple close to burgundy — the so-called 'aubergine' — will be the representative trend color. You could see this in Carolina Herrera's dresses, Tory Burch's trench coats, and Bibhu Mohapatra's satin suits. Purples closer to magenta or burgundy with more red undertones also stood out. They were prominent in looks from American fashion houses like Michael Kors, Christian Siriano, Marina Moscone, and from Chloé.
Styling Point: Scarves Draped Like Shawls
Photo: Launchmetrics Spotlight, GoRunway, collage by María San Millán
This is the most representative styling point symbolizing the Fall/Winter 2026 season trends. Once you start noticing it, it repeated so strongly that you keep seeing it. It began with Ralph Lauren's New York collection. They wrapped scarves around the models' shoulders, then fastened the neck area with brooches to present them on the runway.
Afterwards, several brands adopted similar styling. The method was generally the same. They wrapped scarves around the neck line, hiding it, and let the ends fall naturally down the back. The important thing here is that scarves were used to emphasize the shoulders. It's beyond simply draping around the neck. Brands like Lafayette, Anteprima, Boss, and Palomo Spain even styled fur scarves in this way.
Some fashion houses offered different interpretations. They attached scarves to capes or tops, making them part of the garment. This could be seen on the runways of Emilia Wickstead, Bevza, Alberta Ferretti, Calvin Klein, and Conner Ives. Whatever the method, one thing is clear: this fall, you should pay attention to the 'shoulders'!
Published: April 17, 2026
