(202)6 FALL FASHION TRENDS
BY MAXWELL GRUHN ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF ELLA KATZENMEYER
Maximalism
The first and most prevalent theme that is present for Fall 2026 is maximalism. In the past couple of years, brands and trends have been leaning more minimalistic with their styles, colors, and accessories. Many brands on the runway have been revealing animal print from head-to-toe, bright pops of color, and extravagant accessories. The style has made its way into the mainstream and has been adopted by many different people on TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest as we get closer to the fall season.
Layering
Layering is a trend that has been making its rounds within the fashion sphere. Brands such as Ferragamo, Prada, and Loewe are adding a jacket over a cardigan, sheer fabrics over patterns, and emphasizing the idea of styling different pieces by wearing them together. This ties heavily into the maximalist shift within fashion since it allows more creativity and “branding” of oneself. It’s a simple process to layer with patterns and solid colors, allowing you to take a more basic outfit and make it unique. Jewelry stacking has also been prevalent recently, with many on social media turning to mixed metals and extravagant collections of bracelets to add personality to their everyday outfits.
Fun Outerwear
With the emphasis on layering and maximalism, companies are starting to release more dramatic outerwear such as jackets, cardigans, hoodies, etc. A big push in this realm is college students' love of thrifting. Vintage outerwear with embroidered designs, bright colors, and funky patterns brings a fun twist to any outfit and revisits the idea of originality every day. Adidas has released their Chinese New Year Jacket, showing that brands are introducing fashion trends from around the world and pointing in the direction of adding more style to an outfit. Outerwear with different designs, materials, and origins have a strong showing within these fall fashion trends.
Matching Sets
Matching Sets are nothing new, and they are not going away any time soon. For the days that you don’t want to go above and beyond with your fits, sets of different varieties are a perfect way to look put-together with a pre-styled outfit. The majority of clothing stores are showing the uprising of matching sets this year: Walmart, Target, Lululemon, Free People, Urban Outfitters, and many other retail brands are coming out with sets. Comfort sets, track sets, athletic sets, beach sets, and everything in between — there is no shortage of matching sets for people to have on the days when they want to be comfortable and look good.
Mary Janes and Flats
Mary Janes and flats for the fall are nothing revolutionary, but the way brands are designing them is taking a different turn. Adidas designed a Mary Jane shoe in their classic Samba style, combining fashion with everyday wear. Steve Madden came out with CALICO mesh flats that add a fun twist to a classic design. Both Puma and Nike/SKIMS have taken their twist on the ballet flat, with each adding an athletic flair to the shoe. A dramatic shoe adds something to the maximalist view of Fall ‘26 and allows for an outfit to be elevated with subtle details.
Sequins
The rise in fun fabrics has brought back an early 2010s favorite — sequins. In the same realm as the matching sets, most retail stores that you walk into will have a good selection of sequined items. Ranging from full sequined tops to a sequin design on a pair of jeans, the reflective material is making its waves around the fall fashion trends. The material has also been showing up more in accessories such as handbags, scarves, and headbands while giving an outfit a little extra sparkle.
With these maximalist fashion trends on the rise, Fall 2026 is going to look absolutely extravagant. But these are only six items, with so many other trends emerging as well: slouchy tote bags, animal print, scarfs and many other ideas and items becoming big in these upcoming months. Show up and show out this fall season and bring the fun back to fashion!
