Fall 2026 Fashion Trends: What's New, What's Staying, and What's Coming Next
Fall is my favorite season to get dressed, you guys. The layers come back, the boots come out of hiding, and there's finally a reason to wear that sweater you've been eyeing for weeks.
Every fall I sort through the runways, the store racks, and my clients' closets to pull together the trends that actually matter for real life. This year I'm breaking them into three groups:
Current trends you're seeing in stores right now
Ongoing trends from last season that are still going strong
Emerging trends that are just starting to gain traction
Good news: if you bought into any of these last season, keep wearing them with closet confidence! In trend cycle terms, these are still on the rise or right at their peak, which means you'll get plenty of wear out of them. (Curious how I decide when a trend is worth investing in? Here's how the life cycle of a trend works.)
First, a Quick Reminder
My goal with every trend report is to keep you trend informed. It is not a shopping list! A healthy wardrobe is a balanced wardrobe: mostly pieces you love and wear on repeat, with a few trend moments sprinkled in to keep things fresh. Pick one to three trends that feel like you, work them into what you already own, and skip the rest with zero guilt. Trust me, your closet (and your wallet) will thank you.
CURRENT TRENDS: What You're Seeing Everywhere
Funnel Neck Jackets
Last fall I called funnel necks a micro trend. Well, they stuck around and grew up! This season the funnel neck has moved onto outerwear: jackets with a high, stand-up collar that frames your face and keeps the wind off your neck (very helpful in a Cleveland November). Wear it zipped all the way up with jeans and boots, or open over a sweater. It's a clean, modern shape that makes a simple outfit look intentional.
Snakeskin
Snakeskin reads more like a textured neutral than a loud print, especially in brown, taupe, or black and white. The easiest way in is a snakeskin boot or bag. Feeling bold? A snakeskin midi skirt with a chunky knit is insane in the best way.
Retro Dark Wash Denim
Dark denim made my Fall 2025 trend list, and this year it's back with a retro twist. The runway version is slouchy and low rise, and if that's your thing, go for it!!
But if slouchy low rise denim isn't for you (and for myself and a lot of my clients, it isn't), here's the move: take the jean style you already feel great in and get it in a dark wash. Same trend, way more attainable.
Not sure which rise works best for you? My pant rise guide breaks down the numbers.
Shopping on a budget? Here are the best jeans under $100 I'd buy again.
Medallion Belts
Belts are getting some serious hardware this fall. Medallion belts (think coin or disc details along the strap, or one big statement medallion at the buckle) add instant polish to jeans and a tucked sweater. They're also great for defining your waist over a longer cardigan or a dress. If you loved the hardware trend, this one will feel very familiar.
SHOP MEDALLION BELTS:
Asymmetrical
Uneven hemlines, one-shoulder tops, off-center necklines, and wrap details that drape to one side are everywhere. Here's why I love this one for real life: an asymmetric line pulls the eye on a diagonal, which is so flattering and adds movement. Start with a top with an off-center neckline or a skirt with an uneven hem, and keep the rest of your outfit simple.
Leather & Suede Bombers
If you've always wanted a leather jacket but a moto feels a little too tough for your everyday life, the leather bomber is your answer. You get the polish and edge of leather with the relaxed, easy shape of a bomber. Look for one in black, chocolate, or cognac and wear it over a sweater with jeans, or toss it over a dress to give it a little edge. It also plays really nicely with the sporty trend below.
Planning to wear yours with wide leg jeans? My guide to topper lengths over wide leg jeans will help you get the proportions right.
Pop of Red
A little red goes a long way this fall. A red shoe, a red bag, or a red sweater peeking out from under a camel coat. Red plays beautifully with all the fall neutrals (brown, navy, grey, denim), which makes it one of the easiest ways to make what you already own feel current.
Shoes linked below!
Sneaker Mule
Sleek sneakers were on my list last fall, and this year they lost their backs! The sneaker mule gives you the comfort of a sneaker with the easy slip-on of a mule. They look great with cropped trousers and straight leg jeans and are a fun way to zhuzh up weekend outfits.
Zebra
Leopard and cheetah aren't going anywhere (more on that below), but zebra is the animal print of the season. Because it's black and white, it plays nicely with almost everything in your closet. A zebra skirt, scarf, or shoe is an easy way to try it. And yes, you can wear it with your leopard. My guide to mixing patterns will walk you through it.
Purple
From soft lavender to deep plum and eggplant, purple is the color of the season. The deeper shades wear almost like a neutral, especially with brown, grey, and denim. If you're color shy, start with a plum sweater or a purple bag. If you love color, go tonal with a few shades of purple head to toe.
Flower Brooches
Brooches were one of the big stories in my 2026 Trend Report, and for fall they're blooming (sorry, I had to). Flower brooches in fabric, metal, or sparkle are showing up on coat lapels, blazers, and cardigans. Pin one near your collarbone on a knit, or cluster two or three on a jacket. It's a tiny detail that makes you look styled.
Want more ideas? Here are five unexpected ways to wear a brooch and still feel modern, including pinning one on your bag or using it to hold a scarf in place (hello, triangle scarf trend!).
ONGOING TRENDS: Still Going Strong
Good news: if you bought into any of these last season, keep wearing them with closet confidence! These trends have staying power, which makes them smart investments.
Sporty and Athleisure Style
Track jackets, sporty stripes, and elevated athleisure are still a big part of real life style. The trick is pairing one sporty piece with something polished, like a track jacket with trousers or a sweatshirt under a blazer. And if comfort is your top priority, easy pants are the most polished way to get it.
Sheer
Sheer layers are still here and very wearable. Try a sheer blouse under a blazer, a sheer skirt over a slip, or a sheer black sock with loafers. Layer it so you feel covered and comfortable, and it reads elegant instead of revealing.
Cheetah
Cheetah continues to work like a neutral. A cheetah coat, flat, or scarf goes with just about everything. Need ideas? Here's how I style animal print pants.
Drop Waist
Drop waist dresses, skirts, and tops are sticking around. They're relaxed, a little vintage, and easier to wear than they look. Pair one with a suede boot or a sneaker mule.
Trends: Chocolate & Blue, Stripes, Suede Boots | SHOP THE LOOK
Trends: Preppy Sweaters, Sneaker Mules | SHOP THE LOOK
Stripes
Stripes are never really out, and they're carrying right over from spring. Try a striped button-down under one of the preppy sweaters below.
Suede Boots
Suede was one of last fall's top trends, and it's still going strong, especially in boots. Chocolate, taupe, and tan suede boots are perfect with dark wash denim and midi skirts. For more on current boot shapes, check out The Boot Edit.
Preppy Sweaters
Fair isle, argyle, and cozy cable knits are giving fall a preppy, cabin-weekend feel. Wear yours with dark denim and loafers or layered over a collared shirt.
Chocolate and Blue
This color combo was everywhere last season, and it's even better for fall. Chocolate brown with baby blue, sky blue, or denim blue feels fresh and sophisticated. A brown sweater with a light blue collar peeking out is an easy peasy way to try it.
Loop Totes
The loop tote is still the bag everyone's reaching for. It's roomy, relaxed, and actually fits all your stuff, which matters in real life.
SHOP ONGOING TRENDS:
EMERGING TRENDS: Just Starting to Bubble Up
These are just starting to show up. You don't need to run toward them, but if one catches your eye, you'll be ahead of the curve.
Bubblegum Pink
A playful, sugary pink is popping up for fall, and it looks so fun against all the browns and greys. Try it in a sweater or bag before committing to a coat.
Brown and Tan Jeans
If you've been wearing chocolate everything, brown and tan jeans are the natural next step. They work like a neutral but feel different from blue. Pair them with cream, navy, or (you guessed it) light blue.
Peep Toes
Peep toes made my emerging list in spring 2025 and my micro trend list last fall, so they are clearly determined!! Watch for them on heels and booties this season.
Utility Jackets
Utility jackets with cargo pockets and a relaxed fit are creeping back in. Think of them as the barn jacket's practical cousin.
Leather Gloves
Cleveland winters, rejoice! Leather gloves are coming back as a real accessory, sometimes in a fun color or with a longer cuff. Practical and polished at the same time.
Trouser Culottes
Culottes are returning with a tailored twist: wide, cropped trousers that hit around mid calf. They look sharp with a loafer or boot and a fitted knit to balance the volume.
Layering: Cami Over Tee, Short Sleeve Over Long
Hello, '90s! Layering a slip cami over a fitted tee or a short sleeve top over a long sleeve is making a comeback. It's a great way to get more wear out of summer pieces you already own, and that's my kind of trend.
Large Triangle Scarves
In my 2026 Trend Report I called triangle scarves my favorite emerging trend, and for fall they're getting bigger. Oversized triangle scarves in wool or cashmere, tied at the neck or draped over a coat, are cozy and chic.
SHOP EMERGING TRENDS:
3 Fall Fashion Formulas to Try
Dark wash jeans + fair isle sweater + suede boots + medallion belt
Funnel neck jacket + plum sweater + straight leg jeans + sneaker mules
Leather bomber + drop waist dress + suede boots + red bag
How to Approach Fall Trends
Here's the thing: you don't need all 28 of these. Shop your closet first. You might already own a striped shirt, a cheetah flat, or suede boots that are right on trend. Need proof that small updates make a big difference? See how I restyled my outfits from 2016 to feel modern today.
Then pick one to three new pieces that genuinely feel like you and let them freshen up what's already there. That's how you build a healthy wardrobe that feels great season after season.
Want help figuring out which fall trends make sense for your closet? That's literally what I do. Ready to feel great in your closet this fall? Let's chat! And if you want quick styling answers anytime, Ask Hallie is like having a personal stylist in your pocket 24/7.
Which fall trend are you most excited to try? Tell me in the comments!
xo, Hallie