SS26 Fashion Trends: New Tailoring, Florals & Fringing Emerge

COS and SHEIN have released their first Spring/Summer 2026 collections, revealing key fashion trends: new tailoring, florals, and fringing. These initial runway shows and collaborations offer an early look at the silhouettes and motifs set to define future wardrobes.

Initial collection reveals from brands like COS and collaborations such as Normani's capsule with SHEIN are setting the tone for the upcoming fashion season. They provide the first concrete examples of how designers are interpreting cultural and aesthetic shifts, making key themes of structured-yet-soft tailoring, romantic florals, and dynamic fringing tangible for early analysis.

What We Know So Far

ELLE UK editors have identified new tailoring, florals, and fringing as key Spring/Summer 2026 fashion trends, according to a report from elle.com.
The SS26 season reportedly features 15 debuts across notable fashion houses, signaling a period of creative transition.
COS presented its 40-look Spring/Summer 2026 collection in Seoul, South Korea, for the first time in March, according to ellecanada.com.
Singer Normani also unveiled a new SHEIN collection for the Spring/Summer 2026 season, as reported by thesource.com.

Key Spring/Summer 2026 Fashion Trends Explained

Analysis from elle.com identifies three distinct pillars emerging from early Spring/Summer 2026 collections: a reinvention of classic tailoring, a fresh perspective on floral patterns, and the playful return of fringing. These trends balance polished silhouettes with expressive, decorative details, suggesting a desire for both structure and freedom in post-pandemic dressing.

Each trend has been exemplified by specific runway moments. The "new tailoring" was reportedly captured in Matthieu Blazy's debut for Chanel, which featured an impeccably cut brown tweed suit. This points toward a focus on sharp, clean lines and quality craftsmanship. Meanwhile, "new florals" are emerging in diverse forms, from the retro-prints seen at Celine to the intricate 3D appliqués that adorned pieces at Chanel, according to elle.com. This variety offers multiple entry points, from bold patterns to subtle textural embellishments. Finally, fringing made a dynamic impact, with elle.com noting cocktail-worthy fringed tops from Bottega Veneta as a key example of how the trend is being elevated for sophisticated, modern wardrobes.

To incorporate this trend, focus on silhouettes that blend structure with ease. Look for blazers with strong shoulders, a nod to the '80s, but rendered in fluid fabrics that move with the body. According to a description of the COS show, "classic designs have been reimagined for the season featuring strong shoulders and fluid tailoring." Pair such a blazer with wide-leg trousers or, as suggested by COS creative director Karin Gustafson, tailored Bermuda shorts for a modern take on the suit. The color palette seen at COS—slate greys, creams, warm browns, and oxblood—offers a sophisticated, neutral base that allows the unique silhouettes to stand out. Materials are also key; Gustafson highlighted trompe l’oeil silk denim and tailored silk tops as central to achieving this refined yet relaxed look.