As fashion week shows around the world have wrapped, the style trends for the spring and summer of 2026 are just beginning.
From New York’s bold accessories to Milan’s retro revival and Paris’ textures and patterns, the runway made one thing clear: spring and summer 2026 will celebrate contrast, nude tones with pops of bright colors and funky silhouettes.
Through statement belts and handbags, and under layers of bold textures, this upcoming fashion season is all about balancing personal style with timeless capsule pieces to create a cohesive look.
Since fashion always has a way of coming full circle, whether it’s through specific pieces like the recent comeback of low-rise jeans or entire eras like ‘90s grunge, it’s safe to assume that past trends will continue to inspire new looks.
I predict the Versace show in Milan to be a glimpse into trends that could be seen in everyday spring and summer fashion.
Their Spring/Summer 2026 collection felt like an elevated and reimagined time capsule of the 1970s. Versace’s runway show featured groovy all-over patterns, earthy tones with bright pastel accents and pops of red as well as purses, jackets and boots made of suede and light leathers.
A nod to ‘70s fashion can also be seen in the Spring/Summer 2026 collection that Tory Burch unveiled at New York Fashion Week.
In the same vein as Versace, Tory Burch seemed to pull a bit of inspiration from retro fashion by pairing neutral and earthy basics with chunky and playful accessories to allow them to pop. From oversized, rounded sunglasses to long beaded jewelry, accessories are what elevated the simple yet seemingly timeless clothes.
In a large part of the collection, Tory Burch also played with a variety of silhouettes, from tailored to boxy blazers and button-ups paired with long or mid-length pleated or pencil skirts and belts.
Anna Sui also dropped their latest collection at NYFW, putting a lighter, more whimsical twist on vintage fashion.
These looks incorporate mixed prints from florals, stripes and gingham layered with lighter and flowier textures like lace and crochet to put a more feminine touch on the ‘70s bohemian aesthetic.
While the clothes were undoubtedly the star of the Anna Sui show, the makeup also mirrored what you could find in the ‘70s with bright, bold and colorful eyeshadow which made the looks complete.
Many of the same potential trends for the upcoming spring and summer were also reflected on the runways at Paris Fashion Week.
The Gabriela Hearst show incorporated similar color profiles seen in Milan and Paris, using nude, camel, yellow and orange, giving yet another 1970s-inspired collection.
Gabriela Hearst had statement jackets like a camel suede with fringe and charms, which I thought was the star of the show, and a long brown and yellow leather patchwork star trenchcoat with a matching button-down, purse and tie.
Miu Miu also seemed to have gotten the retro memo when they unveiled their Spring/Summer 2026 collection that had lace button-ups, suede work vests and brown leather jackets and belts. This collection also featured more feminine pieces like structured dresses with ruffles and gemstones.
Miu Miu’s take on retro felt more grounded with simple yet tailored silhouettes and quieter patterns while still letting standout pieces like colorful neckties and button-down dresses shine. The Miu Miu line seemed to tie the cohesive theme of the season together, showing a modern revival of past fashion that feels ready to wear today.
If there is one takeaway from this season’s fashion week, it’s that designers aren’t afraid to look back to move forward in shaping the fashion world. The Spring/Summer 2026 collections blend old and new by reviving retro looks and giving them a fresh twist.
As the fashion cycle continues, expect the spring and summer to mix vintage-inspired pieces with fresh and classic wearable trends for the season.
Livy Dunlap can be reached at dunl3109@stthomas.edu
