What do trend forecasters expect to see on the S/S 27 Womenswear catwalks?

From rebellious, rock-infused glamour to soft romanticism and maximalist nostalgia, these are the trends set to dominate the upcoming S/S 27 Womenswear catwalks.

New Glam

Signaling an edgy paradigm shift on the runways, this direction combines a rebellious counterculture spirit with sleek, high-octane glamour. Driven by Saint Laurent-inspired aesthetics, 2010s supermodel influences, and cultural rock references, the trend embraces slimmer, body-conscious silhouettes and low-rise cuts, alongside leather outerwear and separates. Refreshed animal prints, including cheetah spots and snake skins, re-emerge on dark, slinky satin and lace-trimmed slip dresses. Disheveled yet sophisticated, this story introduces hedonistic darks and moody glam as early signals for future dark opulence stories.

Free-Style Expression

Building on rising momentum from catwalk to street-style, Free-Style Expression subverts prime suburban codes through an expressive, self-styled lens. Kitsch nostalgia and home-comfort influences blend seamlessly with loungewear, and interior-inspired aesthetics. Pastel colorways, dreamy florals, and tactile materials are paired with offbeat styling, including graphic tees, pattern clashes, and unexpected footwear. This maximalist narrative celebrates playful individuality and irreverence, serving as a key precursor to future self-expression trends.

Put-together City Dressing

Reframing smart urban wardrobe staples, this trend direction evolves traditional preppy and sartorial codes into a soft, highly versatile mode of everyday dress. Moving away from literal varsity styling, the trend focuses on relaxed city prep, soft utility, and refined silhouettes suited for modern work-to-leisure lifestyles. Classic perennial prints, including polka dots, plaids, and foulards, are updated through subtle pattern-on-pattern layering. The result is a polished yet effortless aesthetic that balances commercial longevity with offbeat, contemporary updates.

Romantic Vintage

Romance retains its strong commercial and aesthetic appeal for S/S 27, presenting a soft, universally accessible expression centered on heirloom-inspired delicacy. Sheer slip dresses, lacy sets, and fluid maxis are elevated by barely-there tonal prints, soft-focus florals, and fine freckled textures. Subtle bohemian accents, including soft ruffles and vintage-archival nods, bring depth, while raw edges, asymmetric trim placements, and spliced constructions introduce a layer of considered, imperfect character.

Something new is coming to the catwalks

Powered by AI and nearly 30 years of historical proprietary data, the new WGSN Catwalks AI Dashboard will give you a faster, data-led view of the trends emerging across the world’s runways.

Launching 1 September 2026. Contact press@wgsn.com to find out more.