August 26th 2026

Fall Runway : This Seasons Most Unapologetically Glamorous

What I enjoyed most about this fashion season was seeing familiar pieces we already have in our closets being used in unique pairings. It’s a reminder that we don’t necessarily need to purchase more, we can use everyday wardrobe pieces and layer them into updated looks. Save money upcycling clothing we already have? It’s a fantastic concept and if that isn’t unapologetically glamorous, I don’t know what is.

Color Palettes

For fall 2026, some of the spring colors have followed into the upcoming season and paired with more traditional fall colors like browns and burgundy.

Espresso Brown: Deep chocolate and espresso shades take over as primary neutral bases, replacing black for everyday staples.

Butter Yellow: Combinations on the runway with Spring/Summer “It Color” butter yellow were seen with autumn staples like oatmeal, camel, chocolate brown, and cream. We saw butter yellow accents on runways belonging to Chanel, Dior, Loewe, and Sandy Liang, Tuckernuck, House of CB, and Banana Republic.

Unexpected Purple: As with Butter Yellow, we saw deep plums and soft lavenders emerge as fresh accent choices alongside cream and brown as well. We saw royal violet, lavenders, rich plums and deep eggplant shades on runways belonging to Celine, Balenciaga, Mugler, Chloé, Prada, and Valentino.
Moody Maroon: Rich burgundy, oxblood, and deep wine hues offer a romantic, brooding alternative to bright tones. We saw maroons and burgundy and more on runways belonging to Prada, Balmain, Ulla Johnson, and Valentino.

Blues: Across the runways, we saw blues from cobalt and cerulean, soft aqua, sky blues and vibrant teals. We saw blues in almost every shade on runways belonging to Victoria Beckham, Givenchy, Off-White, Isabel Marant, Givenchy, Stella McCartney, Kate Barton, Anna October, Adam Lippes, Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood, Balenciaga and Christian Wijnants.

Chartreuse: This yellow green color is named after a French liqueur made by Carthusian monks and has made it’s way back into fashion. We saw charteuse on runways belonging to Rag & Bone, Tanya Taylor, Ulla Johnson, Tibi, Cult Gaia, Staud, Staud, Prada, Dries van Noten, Ganni, Loewe and ALAÏA.

Tomato red isn’t going anywhere. After dominating Spring 2026, the fiery shade carried straight into Fall 2026, proving that it works just as well against snow as it does against sunshine. Designers embraced head-to-toe scarlet dressing, from sweeping gowns to sharp outerwear and bold knitwear. The effect felt rich, spicy and impossible to ignore, especially when the hue was styled against autumn’s usual blacks, browns and greys. We saw reds on runways belonging to Tanya Taylor, Ulla Johnson, Tibi, Prada, Marni, Dries van Noten, ALAÏA, ALAÏA, Chloé, Isabel Marant, Isabel Marant and Celine.

‍

Stand Out Staples

Intarsia Knits: sweaters and cardigans in multicolored argyle, jacquard, and geometric patterns take on cold-weather dressing. Do you remember the Faire Isle Sweater trend? It’s older than you think. In 1921, then Prince Edward of Wales was photographed wearing traditional Scottish fisherman knitwear and it turned into a international fashion craze. Since then, it’s been an on again, off again love on runways. Just like argyle, I am sure we have something in our closet close to this, and just waiting to be recycled.

Lean Tailoring: stovepipe and cigarette pants have a clean ultra slim fit, but are more relaxed while being a highly wearable silhouette. Some of the trousers featured small subtle slits or flares right at the shoe line to elongate the leg without compromising the overall tailored structure. Have some cigarette or stovepipe pants to upcycle? Just have a seamstress put in some small slits by the shoe line for an instant update.

Leather Bombers: Our love for flight jackets continue this season, but instead of classic black, reach for flight jackets in olive green, espresso, chocolate brown and moody plums or maroon.

Leather will always be a go-to for pre-fall, but designers like Magda Butrym, Tom Ford, and Rick Owens focused on highly structured leather outerwear with unusual textural finishes. If you don’t have a leather flight jacket in your closet, I highly suggest you purchase. This is one closet staple I never see going out of style.

Peplum Waistlines

Another 2010’s trend that’s making its way back into the spotlight — the peplum waistline. I honestly feel those peplum tops in your closed can be refreshed with the right layers. Vogue Adria put a great examples of this in their article. Pair a peplum top with harem trousers and you have “a contemporary outfit that combines utility aesthetics with soft, feminine details.” The article also smartly combines peplum tops with other staple closet items and if you love peplum tops, this article will be highly insightful.

Already thinking about what you have in your closet to upcycle or refresh?