Autumn Winter Fashion Trends 2026

Before we get into silhouettes and trending styles, let's orient ourselves with colour, as it's often through colour that we look to freshen up our wardrobes and signal a change in season and mood.

After consulting multiple voices of authority: WWW, Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Depop, I am happy to report that seven key trending colours stood out and remained consistent across reports. With the standout colour of 2026 being blue. 

All shades of blue are trending, but the real heroes are the bright, saturated blues – think cobalt, cerulean, and aqua. Blue can be treated as your new neutral, and doing a head-to-toe blue tonal look is encouraged. What I love about blue is that it looks great on everyone – just find your shade.

Along with Blue being THE hue of the year, an old favourite grounding neutral, the always chic camel is big, and this year we see it across multiple fashion categories, from handbags, heels, to soft knits and stylish outerwear. You can't go wrong with camel, and chances are, you probably already own something in camel. 

The 2026 Pantone colour of the year is Cloud Dancer. I love this name for a gorgeously light and airy ivory. Cloud Dancer brings balance, harmony and a touch of romance to your 2026 trending colours. Soft, feminine, delicate – not quite white and not too bright.

As a lover of khaki, I never worry whether this colour is trending or not, but luckily for me, it is indeed trending in 2026 – in all its varieties. But one version of khaki that's standing out this year is 'Martini Olive Green' – sounds delicious. Think punchier than your average khaki, less brown, more green. 

Buttercream looks as good as it sounds. Not too far departed from our lovely cloud dancer above, and also pairs beautifully back with it, as you'll see in our collage board. Buttercream touches on the soft yellow vibes that have been worn by the truly stylish people in the know for a while now. This colour is a delightful way to add some low-key sunshine to your winter looks. 

Winter Citrus is your mood-boosting, dopamine dressing colour. Usually reserved for high summer, this sunset cocktail of beautiful brights is encouraged throughout all seasons this year. Approach it via a scrumptious knit back with washed black denim for a knockout look that requires minimal effort. 

Teal tends to not get much coverage – often overlooked by its sister counterparts, blue and green. Teal is nestled between the two more conventional colours, but it feels more adventurous, less ordinary and a bit more exclusive. 

Before exploring some of the more mum-friendly (AKA wearable) trends on the rise in 2026, I want to share with you an invaluable resource, created by yours truly, to help guide you when shopping for new-season pieces and wardrobe staples. I can't stress enough the importance of articulating and refining your personal style first before getting carried away by trends. 

Now this one really caught my eye. Depop, as cited in WWW, has coined 2026 the year of "The Edited Self", with the emphasis being on personal style, rather than micro-trends. This is great news for all of us who are determined to build an intentional wardrobe that aligns with our personal style, fashion preferences and lifestyle, which we are big proponents of over here at The Mum Loop.

The idea is to be considered and authentic. Snaps. According to the report:

 “Across the Depop community, people are choosing clarity over clutter. They are repeating silhouettes, refining core staples and curating wardrobes that reflect lived-in authenticity rather than fast-moving microtrends.” This means having key outfits and flattering silhouettes on high rotation, and shaping your wardrobe by what feels true to you. The benefit? Well, less decision-making fatigue every morning for one. 

The focus towards quality over quantity continues, which, again, we are huge advocates of over here at The Mum Loop. Investing in quality pieces that earn their keep in your wardrobe and encourage repetition and easy-to-style outfits trumps fast-fashion and microtrends any day of the week.

It's cool to wear the same great pieces on repeat.

Depop's report says, “Uniforms create freedom. When the core of your wardrobe is dependable, you can play at the edges."

Prepare to see a lot more balloon pants floating about – genie-inspired looks. This trend is about balance and beautiful proportions. Models were seen floating in the fabric, not drowning. You want sheer, soft floating layers that breathe and move freely with you. We're also seeing a lot more asymmetrical hemlines – transporting us back to the early 00s.

There were also more conservative lengths walking the runway – pencil skirts, midi lengths, tailored blazers and button-up shirts, creating modest, prim and proper silhouettes. Silk and fluid fabrics played a part in this aesthetic. The look is polished and poised, not overdone. 

Ruffles are back!! Ruffles create personality and movement – with a nod to Victorian but in a contemporary and wearable fashion. Ruffles on blouses, skirts, and trousers were seen bouncing down runways and on the streets of Copenhagen. 

You may have already heard (or seen) deep indigo denim on the rise. It's been creeping in for a while now, and I must say, it looks fabulously polished and chic. Dark denim instantly elevates a very casual, easy look, and while I am a denim devotee and happy to wear it in most shades, from a light wash to dark black, there is something very dressy about a dark wash. I've seen it quietly appearing in denim collections over the last couple of seasons, but only very recently have I seen more celebrities and fashion IT girls sporting it. 

Along with deep indigo, a slim/cigarette leg jean is back in a back way. For those of you who love a skinny leg and never stray far from that territory, you'll be pleased to know that a slim, high-rise silhouette (think 90s Kate Moss) is very HOT right now. 

Coats are big and oversized, and funnel-neck leather jackets are everywhere. Funnel necklines on any coat or jacket will be a win – so pop that collar. Trench coats are awesome to layer over anything from your activewear to a silk mini. Pop colours peaking out from underneath an open collar or oversized coat look simply stunning. Kill two (or a few) birds with one stone and nail multiple trends in one look: oversized outerwear thrown over the top of textural layers, and a seasonal colour popping through via a fitted layer or your winter accessories – scarf, shawl, cape = instant style kudos.

Speaking of layers, a turtle neck adds depth and dimension to a winter outfit – not to mention warmth. A quarter-zip neckline and Polo-style tops continue to trend – adding that sporty-chic-cum-preppy appeal. 

Loved these insights? Get more style advice + exclusive offers straight to your inbox!