We’re one week into the marathon that is fashion month, and one thing is abundantly clear: New York Fashion Week is back thanks to a crop of talented young designers. With so many brands each season taking their collections to Paris, an opportunity has opened for the next generation of American designers to have impactful visibility on the CFDA calendar.
This season reminded us of what we love so much about New York. We saw redefined closet heroes at Toteme and TWP, joyful statement pieces at Diotima and Tory Burch, and bold color trends at Ralph Lauren and Ashlynn—all the ingredients for a New York City cool-girl wardrobe.
Stand-out moments in the packed schedule included debut runway shows from Henry Zankov, Zane Li, and Rachel Scott (both at Diotima and at Proenza Schouler, where she is taking over as creative director.) With more established brands like Rachel Comey, Ralph Lauren, and Brandon Maxwell—celebrating his 10-year anniversary—kicking things off before the official calendar even started, there was excitement at the shows from beginning to end. Off calendar and in the market, we saw vibrant collections from everyone from Colleen Allen to Trevor Houston, who presented his second collection for Herbet Levine.
Below, I’ve rounded up the nine best trends we saw at New York Fashion Week—and how to start incorporating them into your own wardrobe.
Decorated Waists: Bold Belts! Peplums! Cummerbunds!
From Diotima’s ruched cummerbund skirt/dress to Ashlynn’s peplums and Tory Burch’s low-slung pencil skirts, there was a new focus on the waist. Belt bags at Rachel Comey and Rùadh (whose designer Jac Cameron nodded to a family heirloom by way of a traditional Scottish belt bag) made the case for a hands-free look. Bazaar‘s executive digital director, Lynette Nylander, offered the ultimate inspiration for how to wear a studded belt—paired with the dreamy balloon pants that we saw everywhere!
Déhanche Leopard-Print Calf Hair Waist Belt
Liberowe Peplum Velvet Jacket
The Attico Leather-Trimmed Denim Belt Bag
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Directional Basics
Clockwise from top left: Altuzarra, Maria McManus, Michael Kors, Fforme, Campillo, Toteme
So many of the collections offered new takes on the kinds of closet staples that every wardrobe needs. Joseph Altuzarra made the leather jacket feel new with his funnel-neck version (which also came in suede.) Classic heroes were updated in luxurious fabrics—like the white satin silk bomber jacket at Maria McManus—and colors— like the shrunken v-neck cashmere sweater and classic poplin button-down in pink at Toteme. Shapes were reimagined and made oversized, like Michael Kors’s balloon pants, Fforme’s XXL car coat, and Campillo’s relaxed yet polished tailored suiting.
Lisa Yang Aletta V-Neck Cashmere Knit Sweater
Comme Si La Classica Cotton Poplin Shirt
Ashlyn Blaine Paneled Fleece Balloon Pants
Festive Dressing and Funky Daywear Separates
Clockwise from top left: Area, Zankov, Khaite, Presley Oldham, Tory Burch
Everyone was invited to the party at Area (where new creative director Nicholas Auburn made his debut) and Zankov as pom-poms, sequins, feathers, and more shimmied down the runway. Daywear separates were elevated at Khaite, where we saw the polka dotted trend we loved all summer expanded in extra large dots on a ballroom skirt, and at Tory Burch, where we were charmed by a metallic jacket and pencil skirt—all of which would pair perfectly with almost any of Presley Oldham’s pop-of-color jewelry in his new collection.
Zankov Adora Sequined Mohair-Blend Polo Sweater
Dries Van Noten Folds Embellished Fringe Scarf
16Arlington Vada Feather-Trimmed Overlaid Jersey Midi Skirt
Red Outerwear in Bold Silhouettes
Clockwise from top left: Ashlynn, Adam Lippes, Bevza, Prabal Gurung, Ralph Lauren
Designers made the case for scarlet outerwear in all shapes and sizes. Everyone has been talking about (and wearing) balloon pants, and this season we saw balloon-like shapes in jacket silhouettes with sporty fabrics at Adam Lippes, Ashlynn, and Bevza. Swinging crimson trench coats at Ralph Lauren and Prabal Gurung gave new meaning to the concept of a statement jacket—and new ways to update your outerwear for the evening.
WARDROBE.NYC WARDROBE.NYC Trench Coat
J.Crew Broken-in Barn Jacket
Layers on Layers on Layers
Clockwise from top left: Zankov, Lii, Maria McManus, Rachel Comey, Kallmeyer
“More is more” was the layering approach this season. At Lii, designer Zane Li, who works closely with stylist Jason Rider, piled on the layers of t-shirts, tank tops, and long-sleeved shirts that left us wanting more (and that was just his debut runway show!) For a more subtle way to add dimension to your look, Kallmeyer piled on monochromatic stripes and Rachel Comey showcased a slight pop of color that added extra flair to an everyday look.
Andersson Bell Multi Stripe T-shirts
Acne Studios Layered Striped Organic Cotton-Poplin Shirt
Jaded London Easy Tonal Triple Layer
Busy-Lady Styling
Clockwise from top left: Rachel Comey, Toteme, Brandon Maxwell, Maria McManus, Kallemyer
Something about the styling at many of the shows suggested a woman who needed to get out of the door fast—but wanted to do it in the most luxurious, ladylike way possible. From a soft pink satin trench slung around the shoulder at Maria McManus to top-handle bags with coats and scarves in hand at Toteme and Rachel Comey, we saw classic pieces in soft colors and polished finishes, thrown on effortlessly. The trend nods to both the reality of our frantic everyday lives and the ease and softness we seek when it comes to getting dressed.
Prada Women’s Single-Breasted Duchesse Coat – Green – Size 4
Savette Symmetry Pochette Suede Tote
Crafty New Classics
Clockwise from top left: Jewels Di Mare x Jasper, Proenza Schouler, Colleen Allen, Grey’s, Sloan, Heirlome
Classic daywear separates were updated with crafty adornments and woven textures that added dimension. From Heirlome’s pompom brooch and Proenza Schouler’s floral sandals to Grey’s monochromatic woven embellished coat and matching bag, these thoughtful pieces make an outfit more exciting—but in a subtle, laid-back way.
Bode Black Blossom Brooch
Heirlome Laia Textured Silk Knit Top
LEMAIRE Black FILT Edition Octopus Pouch
Everything’s Coming Up Blue
Clockwise from top left: Tory Burch, Brandon Maxwell, Ashlynn, Prabal Gurung, Liffner, GWP
Every blue from cerulean to cornflower between was seen on the runways and throughout the collections. Classics such as the blue shirting at GWYN (Gwyneth Paltrow’s new line, which debuted at an intimate presentation last week), Brandon Maxwell’s perfectly blue crewneck sweater, and Tory Burch’s electric wool coat made this color feel like a new neutral. Designers made the case for blue in the evening as well; Prabal Gurung’s swinging chiffon dress and Liffner’s new suede clutch were among our favorites.
Fforme Nico Petite Shirt
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Simkhai Ferrera Draped Jersey Midi Dress
The Silk Scarf Hero
Clockwise from top left: Kallmeyer, Marina Moscone, Kallmeyer, Toteme, Calvin Klein
Last season was the summer of scarves, and it seems as though the trend is set to continue through 2026. At Calvin Klein and Marina Moscone, models wore shirts made of tied-together scarves—the ultimate going-out top. Styling tricks at Kallmeyer (where a bold scarf was tied on a classic leather tote bag) and Toteme (where a hugging shawl was worn over a simple top) offered clever ways to update an otherwise simple look.
Acne Studios Scarf-Detailed Printed Silk-Jacquard Top
Dries Van Noten Scarfy Printed Wrap Midi Skirt
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