With a new year comes ripe opportunity to explore new trends and ways of wearing your wardrobe, as well as inviting a fresh perspective to your personal style. There have been a few microtrends bubbling up at the end of 2025 that we foresee breaking through into the mainstream in 2026. With this in mind, I tapped some of my fellow editors here at Who What Wear UK to get the low-down on the It items, aesthetics and movements they are keen to sport come spring.
What’s most surprising about these is the nostalgic thread that runs through them all. To look forward, sometimes we must look in the rear-view mirror; revisiting the regalia, costumes and defining pieces from years gone by often informs future trends and tastes, and this couldn’t be truer for how we see the state of fashion heading into 2026. From Napoleon-style jackets and Victorian boots, to medieval finery, flappercore and the rise of the modern pill-box hat, our editors are stepping into the new year with a little bit of history in their back pocket.
If you’re curious as to the new moods and bygone eras we’ll be channelling for spring 2026, read on now for my early adopter cheat sheet, plus some shopping ideas to get you inspired.
1. Flappercore – Ava Gilchrist
Style Notes: “We’re officially closer to the end of the decade than the start of it, making 2026 the perfect opportunity to lean into the glitz and glamour that the roaring ’20s promised. Taking cues from fashions of a century ago, I’m entering the new year by embracing chintzy, flapper-inspired fringed bags, beaded slip dresses à la Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby and Edwardian-era lace accents and faux-fur-trimmed coats. There might even be a trip to a prohibition bar wearing this exact outfit on the horizon…” — Ava Gilchrist, SEO writer
Shop the Trend:
“Delicate with a lightweight finish and a dainty pattern.”
RABANNE
Fringed Crystal-Embellished Silver-Tone Chainmail Hat
“If money were no object, this is the exact piece I’d be wearing all year long.”
THE POSSE
Tassel Belt in Black
“The fringed accent will create a sculpted silhouette on anything you pair it with: a wispy sheer blouse or gargantuan fur coat.”
2. Pill-Box Hats — Sophie Robyn Watson
Style Notes: “With each quarterly haircut, I find myself wanting to go shorter and shorter. Now, with an ear-skimming micro-bob, I like the idea of accessorising my cropped tresses with fun and eye-catching accessories. Enter the pill-box hat. I’ve taken note of a wider trend for vintage-feel investments, be that headpieces, timeless coats and classic handbags, and I want to get in on the action myself.
“As someone who frequents my local charity shops on a very regular basis, I did in fact stumble upon a rather fetching retro leopard-print pill-box hat recently, which has been glued to my head ever since (it’s quite Mrs Robinson-coded). For 2026, I’m keen to expand my repertoire of headgear, so I have one suitable for every day—and outfit—of my week. New York-based milliner Gigi Burris is at the forefront of this trend, ushering a new wave of pill-box enthusiasts across the pond.
“Her luxurious hats come in an array of chic, neutral shades for every discerning dresser. With style mavricks Pamela Anderson, Tessa Thompson and Doja Cat noted as fans, this trend is sure to reach its zenith this coming spring.” — Sophie Robyn Watson, acting fashion editor
Shop the Trend:
GIGI BURRIS
Sharina Wool-Felt Beret
“Gigi Burris is the milliner to know now. Take note, because her hats are sublime.”
“This sculpted beret comes in beige and chocolate. Chic shades only.”
“Wear this 100%-wool option with your scarf jackets this coming spring.”
3. Nouveaux Animal Prints – Marina Avraam
Style Notes: “I will happily die on the hill that leopard print is a neutral, but I’ve been paying close attention to the quieter shift happening around it. Rather than animal print disappearing altogether, it’s evolving. Enter a new menagerie. Deer-print jackets are cropping up in the chicest corners of the internet, cow-print shoes are fast becoming a fashion-person favourite and snake print is slithering its way onto everything from boots to accessories. The result is fresher, more playful and surprisingly refined.” — Marina Avraam, senior shopping editor
Shop the Trend:
MANGO
100% Leather Fur Jacket
“I’ve had my eye on Mango’s 100% leather jacket, finished with a subtle deer-print speckle, for some time now. The neat collar and streamlined zip lend it a quiet sophistication, making it just as convincing in the office as it is styled casually for evening plans.”
Le Monde Beryl
Regency Slipper
“When it comes to cow print, I’m firmly in the less-is-more camp. I prefer to let it act as a considered accent rather than the main event, which is why these Le Monde Beryl flats feel like the perfect finishing touch. They’re distinctive and quietly chic without overwhelming an outfit.”
Massimo Dutti
Small Animal Print Shoulder Bag
“I won’t pretend it was easy to narrow down just one snake-print piece, but this sleek bag from Massimo Dutti ultimately won me over. With its subtle ’90s references and clean lines, it strikes that ideal balance: statement-making enough to feel current, yet restrained enough to work seamlessly in a pared-back wardrobe.”
4. Napoleon Jackets – Imani-Nia Francis-Tsolaki
Style Notes: “After hours of social scrolling (it’s an important part of my job after all), the one trend I’m backing for the new year is the Napoleon jacket, which is divisively splitting the Who What Wear UK office in two. Cheryl Tweedy (during her Fight For This Love era) is not quite the vibe I’m envisioning when slipping on one of these military-style jackets, and whilst a shorter cut does lean a touch Hugh Jackman in The Greatest Showman, it’s the punk-ish, undoneness of the braided epaulettes, the on-trend funnel-neck finish and the appeal of its decorative hardware which is garnering all of my attention.
“Balancing a sophisticated feel with an indie sleaze laissez-faire, it feels like a fail-safe way to elevate your look without looking like you’ve tried too hard. Thinking about it, this is likely why Kate Moss was such a fan; see her Glastonbury 2003 look.” — Imani-Nia Francis-Tsolaki, junior fashion editor
Shop the Trend:
MANGO
Wool Military Jacket
“Less outlandish than other styles on the market, this Mango iteration is an easy way to add visual interest to your go-to jeans and a nice top.”
Free People
We the Free Lana Leather Jacket
“The red and gold tones are exquisite.”
Nili Lotan
Joni Virgin Wool Jacket
“Crafted from 100% virgin wool, this jacket looks like an heirloom piece.”
5. Cool Blue Accents – Florrie Alexander
Style Notes: “As a minimalist, the key directives of my style are silhouette, texture and shade. For spring 2026, I’m looking to up the ante with my colour palette, and whilst the richer shades of deep chocolate and burgundy have served my wardrobe over winter, the brighter days of spring are calling out for something a little brighter. Enter cool blue, the shade that’s about to liven up our looks as we move into the new season. The icy hue of this exact blue seamlessly complements a host of other shades, whether you lean towards muted neutrals or bolder accents of red or yellow. I’m ready to play with more subtle and bolder pops of icy blue, from handbags to knitwear.” — Florrie Alexander, shopping editor
“Cloud-soft and cloudy blue: the ultimate combo. I’m wearing this over a classic white tee, or even tied around my waist (à la Alexa Chung), for a subtle pop of icy colour.”
Prada
Prada Panier Mini Saffiano Leather Bag
“The perfect size for your daily essentials. Mrs Prada is always ahead of the colour-trend curve.”
MAISON MARGIELA
Tabi Split-Toe Textured Leather Ballet Flats
“This cool-blue update to the Tabi ballet flats is the perfect way to step into 2026.”
6. Medieval Maiden– Annie Wheatland-Clinch
Style Notes: “Between Chappell Roan’s VMA’s princess gown and hennin hat combo to Burberry’s viral armoured knight leading its A/W 25 runway, there has been something of a medieval undercurrent bubbling up in fashion circles this year, and I, for one, am all for it. The S/S 26 runways might not have aligned quite so much with my theory, but I’m holding out for the autumn/winter 2026 shows this spring. I’m excited to channel the sumptuous textures we witnessed across Louise Trotter’s Bottega Veneta and Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel runways into my medieval capsule.
“Deep velvets and rich colours like purples, navy and emerald green, accompanied by heavy embellishments with niche weaves like chainmail and rope, is very much my vibe for next season. For points of reference, look to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Knight’s Tale or Shakespeare in Love, turning up the dial on noble-coded ‘fits and always giving people down the pub something to talk about.” — Annie Wheatland-Clinch, assistant social media editor
Shop the Trend:
Isabella Vrana
The Hooked Dress
“This dress can be worn in a multitude of ways due to the all-over hook fastenings. I’m pairing it with tights, pirate boots and a faux-fur jacket to sashay into spring.”
Chloé
Fluid Long Dress in Silk Mousseline & Lace
“Alexa Chung, Lily Allen and Sienna Miller have been spotted in similar styles from Chloé, and it now lives rent free in my mind. This peachy-pink hue is ideal for spring.”
Paco Rabanne
Chainmail Nano Bag
“Bring the armour with this classic chainmail bag from Paco Rabanne.”
7. Victoriana Footwear – Rebecca Rhys-Evans
Style Notes: “Halloween may be over for this year, but that doesn’t mean the season of the witch is done too. Lately, I’ve had a sudden urge to wear boots with a slightly gothic, witchy edge. Sometimes with an ultra-pointed toe, perhaps with a kitten or a short block heel, but my main thirst is for lace-up detailing that feels very Victorian. The past few months, I’ve noticed a lot of “ugly” shoe styles coming through like this, with Longchamp and Ganni leading the way with more classic options, and Miista and breakthrough London brand Lili Curia offering more cult styles. Think square toes, knee-high lengths and even a floral print that feels quite rococo.” — Rebecca Rhys-Evans, acting deputy editor
Shop the Trend:
Lili Curia
Lilith Tall Boot
“Lili Curia is the new London-based shoe brand on every fashion editor’s lips. The Lilith Tall Boot is every bit Victoriana, and has some cool, sporty elements too. Needless to say, it haunts me in my dreams.”
Longchamp
High Heel Low Boots
“Yes, they look a bit like ice skates, but I think they’re 100% chic. This sleek pair of lace-up boots from Longchamp is doing serious laps round my mind. The fresh off-white shade will have me stepping correct into the spring months.”
Jeffrey Campbell
Knee-High Victorian Lace-Up Heeled Boots
“I always turn to Jeffrey Campbell for trend-forward footwear styles. I plan to wear these boots with knee-length satin skirts and tailored shorts in 2026.”
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