7 Trends Predictions for A/W26 Runway - Part 2: Pattern, Colour, & Texture

Welcome back. If you’ve read Part 1 you will be aware of my predictions for silhouettes, styling and overall vibe… however Part 2 focuses on patterns, colours and textures.

From patchwork denim, to trompe l’œil, texture overload and shoes that refuse to behave, these are the trends that will bring the drama to the runway.

Without further ado…

1.Mixing Textures (Maximum Sensory Overload):

A/W26 will be about how clothes feel, not just how they look. Mixing textures e.g. leather with lace, sequins with wool, denim with sheer, creates visual tension that feels exciting. I am hopeful womenswear will layer textures unapologetically, often clashing them on purpose. 

If it feels like too much, it’s probably right. This trend thrives in motion, so the runway boasts the perfect place for its debut. 

2.Plaid as a Styling tool: 

Plaid never truly disappears, but A/W26 feels like a season where it might become a signature styling point. In my mind I’m envisioning it used as a core styling piece. Rather than full tartan suits, I predict plaid showing up in accessories and layered moments. Maybe a silk scarf tied loosely at the waist, slung over a trench, or even knotted onto bags. 

For womenswear, this feels like a nod to 90s nonchalance rather than British stiffness. Burberry is known for their plaid so I can 100% see them using this! Think mismatched plaids, scale clashes, and lightweight fabrics that feel intentionally off-season. 

A plaid jacket worn open over something sheer, or a scarf breaking up a monochrome look, feels far more A/W26 than head-to-toe coordination. It’s plaid without the commitment - more wearable, and styled like you didn’t overthink it (even if you absolutely did!)

3.Quirky Polka-dots:

A/W26 polka dots will feel more refined but also more mischievous. Smaller dots, tighter spacing, softer fabrics, but paired with strange colour combinations that stop them feeling overdone or safe. 

The excess fabric theory absolutely checks out, but designers won’t just repeat themselves. Instead, expect polka dots layered over tailoring, printed on sheer base layers, barely noticeable, or clashing against other patterns. 

This is where the “quirky girl epidemic” really comes into play – fashion is swinging back towards individuality, and polka dots are playful enough to carry that. Lime green with tomato red, muted browns with baby blue, or even tonal dots that only reveal themselves up close. Not everyday pieces, but statement ones. Personality and showing it off is SO BACK! 

4.Patchwork denim:

This one is quite rogue but I came across some images from the Balmain 2001 show the other day and the patchwork denim literally spoke to me. I am quietly hopeful that A/W26 will reuse this idea – trenches made of denim panels, skirts layered with tights, jackets that feel pieced together over time. 

Love, Love, Love patchwork!!!

Double denim won’t be enough; this season wants excess. The patchwork element adds nostalgia but also individuality – no two pieces look the same. It taps into sustainability conversations too, whether intentionally or not. Denim that looks lived-in, reused, reworked – imperfect in the best way.

5.Trompe l'œil Everywhere: 

Trompe l’Œil had a major menswear moment, and there’s no way womenswear ignores that. Optical illusions – printed textures, fake layering, deceptive materials. Faux fur that’s printed, knits that aren’t knits upon closer inspection, garments pretending to be something they’re not. It’s playful, clever, and slightly surreal. 

Perfect for a season where designers want to show intelligence without taking themselves too seriously. Trompe l’Œil rewards close inspection – and that feels very runway-relevant!!! I am very pleased with myself for learning this word, it’s now a new favourite of mine. 

6.Funky Statement Shoes:

Shoes are no longer an afterthought. DSquared made that crystal clear. I was watching the show on loop just to understand the shoes! In menswear, the shoe was mixed with a cowboy boot, while in womenswear it was transformed into a high-heeled boot.

A/W26 footwear will be sculptural, strange, impractical, and iconic. Hybrid designs (hopefully) will dominate.Even when outfits are simple, shoes will do the heavy lifting. Womenswear will exaggerate silhouettes, play with cut-outs, and push wearability boundaries. You might not be able to walk far in them, but you’ll definitely be memorable. 

7.All the greens (Colour of the season?!?!) 

If there’s one prediction to put money on, it’s green. Every shade imaginable. Olive, khaki, forest, lime, moss, mint. Seeing as it is AW26 we are dressing for the colder months so perhaps these array of greens will pop up in a trench, or an ‘imperfectly’ tailored shirt, an ‘undone’ pair of trousers, or even a super quirky pair of shoes. 

Whatever it is mark my words it is coming in a shade of green. Green feels alive – and after seasons of neutrals, that’s exactly what fashion wants. You can hold me to this one. 

Final Thoughts

I am indescribably excited to see what the runway displays for us this season! This era of fashion is SO exciting and the creative directors have finally got a good rhythm going. Across menswear, and inevitably womenswear, designers are leaning hard into personality, imperfection and excess. 

Whether that’s through chaotic layering, tactile fabrics, optical illusions or styling choices that feel intentionally “wrong”, clothes are being worn with attitude again. THANK GOD FOR THAT!!!!!! 

There’s a clear rejection of quiet luxury in favour of something louder, messier and far more expressive. Pieces look designed again not 3D printed, they are lived-in, reworked, touched, and that humanity is exactly what makes this season exciting. A/W26 isn’t about perfection, it’s about presence.

With New York Fashion Week kicking off the season in a few days on the 11th, this post marks the beginning of a month-long runway deep dive here on the blog. 

Expect my usual Fashion Week cheat sheets before each city kicks off, followed by detailed round-ups of my favourite shows, looks, details and moments from NYFW, LFW, MFW and PFW.

And (slight disclaimer) I’ll be moving to Korea at the start of Milan Fashion Week, so if posts arrive a little jet-lagged or emotionally unhinged, just know it’s the homesickness talking. Fashion Month waits for no one, unfortunately.

With love, 

Mimi x