From striking silhouettes to playful pops of colour, stylist Corina Gaffey scopes out the trends and takeaways to know from New York’s spring/summer 2026 collections.
As the style set jets off to London, New York Fashion Week has just wrapped, heralding the start of a month-long series of shows after shows. Offering a whole host of inspiration for the spring 2026 season, the Big Apple was all about vibrant hues, aquatic feels, and texture-driven finishes. From dramatic dots to statement-making shades, here are the top trends to know from NYFW 2026.
Pendants, but not as you know them
Forget dainty jewels, necklaces took a utilitarian and statement turn this season – part fashion, part functionality. At Tory Burch, Michael Kors, and Coach, long dangling cords were strung with miniature purses and trinkets, transforming accessories into wearable storage. Coach and Kors showed leather mini-bags and purses suspended like pendants, while TWP dangled glasses on a string.
Balloon trousers
There have been plenty of rumours that skinny trousers are making a comeback, but New York designers quashed that with their take on the trending balloon-silhouetted trousers. Designers reworked the style to suit both suiting and evening wear, with Michael Kors’ take being particularly chic and monochromatic, featuring camel tailoring and genie-style trousers. Party-ready sequin-style balloon trousers from Kors were more pronounced, much like those on Collina Strada’s and Altuzzara’s runways.
Seeing Red
From pops of red to full-on head-to-toe scarlet, red had a strong showing on the catwalks in New York. It was all about embracing red for the statement maker it was, whether seen on dresses at Tory Burch or Proenza Schouler, which made a fiery statement. However, designers also veered away from making a solo statement with red and gave it a fresh spin by pairing it with unexpected shades, such as deep camel and butter yellow.
Coastal Chic
Aquatic inspiration rippled through several collections. Shades of aqua blue were dotted across the collections; Simkhai opted for ocean-worthy paillettes that shimmered and shone in aqua and white shades while showing nautical stripes mixed with netted skirts. At Avkavs and Proenza Schouler, it was more fishing-inspired, with waders being the trending boot of choice. Fisherman-meets-fashion? Who knew.
Polka dots with punch
Hold on to your dots, as polka dots made a notable appearance on the catwalks of Khaite and Tory Burch during Copenhagen Fashion Week. But not in a casual fashion; instead, in a more dramatic and dotted style on dresses for many designers. Coach’s polka dots were even balloon-shaped, while Christian Siriano created dramatic silhouetted dresses that were made all the more dramatic with monochromatic spots.
Fun finishing touches
Texture play, particularly pom poms, was big news in the Big Apple. Even at the minimalist Calvin Klein show, coordinated tuffs of fabric added drama to the shapes’ simplicity. Area showed pom-pom handbags, while Proenza Schouler shoes got the texture treatment with ruffled flowers, and Ulla Johnson added feathers to floral minis to add flounce.
Summer sequins
Shimmer, sparkle and all things shiny aren’t just for the festive season, and as the designers at New York Fashion Week proved too. Arena went one step further, going full-on festive with a spring twist, showing a rainbow-tinged tinsel dress. Ulla Johnson gave shimmer a romantic spin by reworking the classic top and jeans look, swapping denim for a slinky skirt.
Cutwork
Delicate but directional fabrics with cutwork detailing made a strong showing on the New York runways. Designers like Ulla Johnson and Proenza Schouler incorporated laser-cut panels, florals, and lace-like perforations, which gave their pieces a fresh look. Airy, with flashes of skin, cutwork offered a new way to do spring dressing – feminine but cool.
Photography by Catwalkpix.
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