How to Wear 5 Trends From the Most Recent Fashion Shows

Dear Allison,

Are there any spring/summer 2026 runway trends I can try without buying new clothes? If so, how can I style them for everyday wear?  

Sincerely,
A fashion girl on a budget

Hi, fashion friend,

I love this question because I’m a big proponent of shopping your own closet instead of buying new clothes! And the answer is yes, I’ve spotted so many trends and clever styling concepts this fashion month that you can wear right now without spending a dime. Keep scrolling to read more about my favorite trends and how to style them at home.

Try a V-cut neckline with a bralette (or a ‘wispy top’ in Prada’s case)

There is a noticeable shift toward softer fabrics this season, making way for drapey V-cut necklines. Wearing this trend can be as simple as leaving your button-up undone or as experimental as adding a colorful bralette under a V-neck cardigan.

At Prada …
We saw this really nice silhouette that can easily be re-created with any V-neck shirts, sweaters, or button-ups in your closet. It works especially well with thin, draped tops that sort of naturally fall into a V-shape. Just leave the buttons undone, add a bralette underneath, and voilà! The look is sexy but wearable because the bralette provides quite a bit of coverage. (Pro tip: If you’re struggling to achieve the perfect drape, simply leave your top unbuttoned and loosely cross tuck it into your pants.)

At Rachel Comey …
Don’t want to show your bra? I get it. You can achieve this look too with smart layering. Styling a crewneck sweater over a button-up is an easy go-to for fall, and it’s something we’ve all probably done at least once. But this season, take a cue from Rachel Comey and swap the crewneck for a lightweight V-neck cardigan in your closet. Keep the base layer unbuttoned for an unexpected, effortlessly cool neckline.

At Gucci …
Or, if you are ready to go all in, Demna showcased a sexier version of the trend, which is essentially just a styling hack. On your next night out, try pairing low-slung pants with an unbuttoned button-up and a belt to keep them in place. You don’t have to wear the top fully unbuttoned, either — play around with the buttons and adjust them to create whatever neckline you’re comfortable with.

Layering this on top of that on top of that

The layers this season were surprisingly flattering. Designers at Jil Sander, Tove, Fforme, and Altuzarra played with the idea that wearing more clothes — not less — can actually be quite sexy when done right.

At Jil Sander …
Cropped sweaters and tops were styled over long undershirts, which felt like a throwback to early and mid-2000s. The layers are light and bulky. It’s so simple but the proportions feel new, and it’s something we can all try with items we already own. I recommend choosing two formfitting long sleeves to avoid looking bulky and pairing them with low-slung pants like the ones shown at Jil Sander.

At Tove and Fforme …
More funky layering, this time with tanks and camisoles. There’s something casual and sporty about wearing a slinky going-out top over your favorite ribbed tank.

At Altuzarra …
One look featured a white turtleneck peaking out from underneath a leather jacket, and it was surprisingly sexy. Try a fitted utilitarian-style jacket or a cool leather one to mimic the look instead of layering a bulky puffer or wool coat over your turtlenecks.

Try pairing red with another vibrant color

The good news for those of us who invested in a pop of red last fall when it was trending is that red was all over the runways again this season — but the styling was turned up a notch. Instead of wearing your red pieces with the obvious denim or black, try pairing them with pink, cobalt blue, or an unexpected neutral.

At Lii …
Red was all over the spring runways but newcomer brand Lii, by Zhang Li, paired it with a pink jacket, silver hoodie, and black skirt. The color combo is so interesting, you want to look over and over again.

At Jil Sander and Versace …
The primary color combinations caught my eye. The look is striking but so simple and easy to style with any red and blue items in your closet. You don’t need to bring in prints, textures, or dramatic silhouettes; just let the bold colors do the talking.

At Tory Burch …
I really like the idea of pairing red with a neutral that isn’t black, like this sand-colored knit. Navy, gray, and chocolate brown also look so cool with red.

Expand your wardrobe by turning clothes into accessories

At Brandon Maxwell …
The classic sweater-slung-over-the-shoulders look was reimagined with a thick knit, pushed up and tied around the neck. This styling technique adds so much depth to the look, and it’s so easy to re-create at home. No scarf? No problem.

At Maria McManus …
A black cardigan was worn upside down and treated like a cape. It looks both effortless and intentional because the styling is a bit messy, but it definitely didn’t happen by accident.

At Kallmeyer …
Not one but two garments were tied around the waist of a casual suit. If you have thin cardigans lying around, rugby polos, or even long-sleeved shirts in coordinating colors, try it out! Shift them to the side to create a cool, asymmetric look.

Get creative with your scarves

The scarf trend is still going strong. So if you spent all summer wrapping one around your waist, don’t put it into storage just yet — repurpose it for fall using some inspiration from the runways.

At Ralph Lauren and Kallmeyer …
Small tweaks were made to familiar styling tricks. Tying a silk scarf around your head or over your shoulders is nothing new, but the monochromatic element at Ralph Lauren and the knot shifted over one shoulder at Kallmeyer made both looks seem fresh.

At MM6 Maison Margiela …
A bright-orange scarf was worn as an actual belt instead of like a sarong or wrap, which is what we saw this summer. The color combination makes this look modern. It’s also another example of the shift toward softness and draped fabrications; even though the rest of the look is quite utilitarian, using a silky scarf as a belt gives it a sense of ease that’s on trend.

At Ralph Lauren …
This season’s version of the dress-and-neck-scarf trend was shown — and it’s easy to re-create, since most of us have probably worn a strapless dress with a scarf cascading down our backs (like this one) to a wedding in the past year or two. Simply wear the detachable neck-scarf with a V-cut neckline instead of a strapless one to make it feel more modern.