Fashion Week predictions: What do we expect to see on the A/W 26/27 Womenswear Catwalks?
Cult Classics
The enduring appeal of classic, timeless styles remains strong, but in an increasingly saturated market, success will hinge on upgraded quality and clear design authority. This direction draws on the stripped-back sensibility of ’90s styling and silhouettes, paired with an archival palette of greys, reds and navy.
Prints will centre on proven commercial staples, from compact, small-scale florals and foulards to zebra, while dots and skin patterns emerge as the new neutrals, offering an accessible way to reintroduce surface interest for minimalist consumers.
Opulent Romance
Romance continues to hold relevance. In line with a steady return to maximalism on the catwalks, it evolves into an opulent, ornamented expression rooted in historical references and heritage craft techniques for A/W 26/27. Interior-inspired motifs and jacquard-style patterns will shape prints and materials, bringing a sense of richness and depth.
Florals, decorative and scarf-inspired designs move into focus, with border placements and intricate compositions accentuating everyday silhouettes. Offsetting this refinement is a layer of considered imperfection, introduced through raw or distressed edges, irregular trim placements and finishes that feel timeworn rather than pristine.
Sportsmart
With 2026 marking both an Olympic and a football World Cup year, sporty aesthetics are set to play a definite role in A/W 26/27 collections. This influence will move beyond literal sportswear references, such as football jerseys, and filter into more polished modes of dress.
Expect unexpected contrasts, from romantic silhouettes and delicate trims reworked through a streetwear lens, to patterns and artisanal details that celebrate cultural heritage and bring a sense of craft to active and performance pieces.
Bold Minimalism
Silhouette will be a key lever in the evolution of minimalist trends. Sleeves and shoulders will shift towards rounder, more organic forms, moving away from the boxy, square-shouldered shapes of previous seasons.
Draping and asymmetric fabric manipulation will refresh dresses and topweights, while more directional collections will experiment with flattened, 2D silhouettes inspired by paper-doll dressing, injecting a playful, graphic edge into design.
About WGSN Catwalks
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Using exclusive WGSN analytics, we identify the season’s most important category changes to support confident, forward-looking collection planning.
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