The Biggest Runway Trends From Fashion Week SS26

The Spring/Summer 2026 season of fashion month is officially upon us, with Copenhagen Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week and London officially over and Milan firmly underway. Though Scandi style is notoriously known for being that little bit different from the other fashion capitals, there were still plenty of trends beginning to emerge.

On the streets, we saw an overwhelming rise in the amount of polka dots, scarves and flip flops and for the first time in a while, it felt like this season's street style trends were very much reflected on the runway, too. Outside of those, there were a couple of common themes that we couldn't help but notice.

In London, we saw the evolution of flyaway ties and neck scarves, along with an increased amount of fringing, shredding and tassels on fabrics. In Milan, color was the name of the game as several shows on the schedule featured clashing hues, bright tones and unlikely color combinations, particularly brands like Versace, Fendi and Prada.

Ahead, we take a look at the biggest runway trends spotted this season so far, from elevated flip flops to flyaway neck ties.

Clashing Colorways

Milan Fashion Week brought the drama this season, landing in the form of clashing colors and unusual combinations. Kicking things off at Fendi, we saw hues of sky blue, bright red and candy pink intertwined, followed by plenty of pastels at Prada and vibrant primary colors layered on top of each other at Versace.

Fringing and Tassels

For SS26, one thing is for certain: texture is key. Showcased on runways in London from Ahluwalia, Roksanda, Jawara Alleyne and more, it's safe to say that tassels are so back. Characterized by colorful threads, fabric shredding and fringing, the movement-enhancing detail definitely brought the drama to the runway. Specifically at Ahluwalia and Roksanda, the textural elements add a playful edge to timeless silhouettes, while at Jawara, it appears to embody a punky, DIY-inspired spirit.

Elevated Flip-flops

From 3D-printed versions at OperaSPORT from ALIS's DIY iterations, the humble flip-flop is being given a major upgrade for SS26. At the first show of the season, OperaSPORT debuted 3D-printed Havaianas, designed in collaboration with tech company Zellerfeld. Later on, ALIS showcased what felt like their own take on the recent Gimaguas collaboration, adding metal mesh detailing to the shoe's straps. Finally, ROTATE closed out the season with several pairs of shiny heeled flip-flops, landing in bright red hues and animal print styles.

Flyaway Neckties

At Forza Collective, ties made a big comeback, but not in the traditional sense. Aside from one of the collection looks, ties were worn strewn across the shoulders and neck asymmetrically. The trend continued on the runways at MKDT Studio and Rave Review, where neckties were seemingly intertwined with some sort of wiring that allowed the ends to be suspended in the air. The flyaway tie trend continued in London, showcased at Skepta's MAINS show.

Fashion as Sculpture

With this season at CPHFW featuring showcases from the Swedish School of Textiles and the Royal Danish Academy, it's no surprise that sculptural pieces and textile manipulation were a key focus. Oversized silhouettes, exaggerated fabrics and concealed faces were a few of the main themes, tapping into a new realm of creative innovation in order to truly bring the drama.

Purple on Purple

For SS26 dressing, bold colors are far from... groundbreaking, but the standout color of the season might surprise you. Departing from soft lavender as seen in recent Spring/Summer circuits, deep purple and plum arrived as key colors across collections. In Milan, brands including Moschino, Jil Sander, Prada and Diesel presented full purple looks while Versace opted for purple accents in its accessories. In Paris, Zomer and Balenciaga followed suit and Valentino paired the color with a mustard yellow ensemble.

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