People typically use fashion to express themselves, but the fashion trend cycle has sped up so fast that most people don’t even want to keep up anymore. On top of that, it has become kind of uncool in some people’s opinions to follow trends at all, since it’s seen as a sign of being chronically online, which apparently is no longer cool. My credentials in fashion come from the fact that I am chronically online and constantly consuming fashion content, but also from real life. If I’m out somewhere, I’m automatically analyzing everyone’s outfits without even thinking about it, just because fashion is something I genuinely enjoy.
So without further ado, here are my 2026 fashion predictions, starting with polka dots. This isn’t really a prediction because they’ve already been very popular since the beginning of the year. We’ve seen them everywhere, from t-shirts and pants to full matching sets and headbands. Personally, I love it. Polka dots are such a chic and timeless design, and I think they were overdue for a comeback. They give the same energy as vertical stripes, which are also trending again, especially with pops of color. These are designs that always seem to return.
The next trend I’m excited about is matching sets. Matching sets used to be huge, but somewhere around 2020, they kind of disappeared. Now they’re definitely making a comeback. I don’t think they’ll look like the super tight 2016 Pink, Aeropostale, or Hollister sets. Instead, they’re more relaxed and effortless, like Aritzia, Brandy Melville, and Gap with baggier fits.
Another trend I’ve noticed is coats, especially puffer jackets. Some people think wearing coats when it’s cold is unfashionable, but that couldn’t be more wrong. Most of the time, a coat can completely elevate an outfit. Even something as simple as a puffer jacket can give an outfit the final touch it needs.
Lastly, my bottoms and shoe predictions. I’ve been seeing a lot of pants tucked into boots, and I’m still not totally sure how I feel about it. I don’t think the world is ready for skinny jeans again, even though the 2016 vibes are slowly coming back. This trend includes knee-high boots or even Uggs. I also think elevated athletic sneakers are going to be more popular. Brands like New Balance and Adidas are already experimenting with this, along with soccer-inspired shoes and unique lace placements. I feel like laces are going to get more creative this year. These are my predictions for 2026, and I’m excited to see how fashion plays out.
