The Pre-Fall 2026 Trend Report
Featuring contemporary takes on ‘ladylike’ looks, vibrant jewel tones and an ever-popular ’90s revival, the pre-fall 2026 collections certainly delivered on impact and newness. Here, COLLEEN ROSS breaks down the key trends of the season and how to wear them now
Pre-fall tends to be the place where brands focus more on exciting new designs, rather than the theater of fashion month. But that by no means makes the collections a lesser fashion moment – far from it. Unencumbered by the build-up and pressure of a mainline show, designers have more room to experiment – and the results couldn’t be chicer.
This was certainly true of the pre-fall 2026 collections, with brands delivering plenty of newness, all the while going to great lengths to prove just how effortless and adaptable their designs are by showcasing them out in the real world. Valentino Garavani retreated to artist Cy Twombly’s ancient palazzo in Bassano – a commune in Teverina, Italy – to shoot its campaign; Balenciaga and Dior both captured their collections on the streets (and Metro) of Paris; while Chanel’s Métiers d’Art 2026 show took place on the New York City subway. Those who didn’t opt to shoot on location, however, still managed to get the message across, with Gucci, Khaite, Chloé and Alaïa all presenting effortlessly chic – and infinitely wearable – pre-fall collections and campaigns that our buyers loved.
“Vintage is a consistent theme in fashion, and often the starting point behind collections. Gucci took the lead with ’90s minimalism in a more sexy and powerful way with strong monochromatic looks, while Valentino Garavani put a new spin on ladylike elegance,” says NET-A-PORTER’s chief buying and merchandising officer, Brigitte Chartrand. “I loved the mix of heritage textures and prints and how color combinations were used for styling at Saint Laurent, Chloé and Versace – they felt cool and inspiring,” she adds.
Read on to discover the key pre-fall ’26 trends to know now…
She’s a lady
Designers routinely delve into the archives of their respective brands, but it’s no easy feat to revisit house codes that have been interpreted many times before in a way that feels completely fresh. And yet, Anthony Vaccerello continues to do exactly that, effortlessly reimagining the Saint Laurent woman season after season. For pre-fall, she’s the embodiment of refined elegance but not as we know it. She exudes confidence and always looks effortlessly undone, pairing lace skirts with faux-fur-trimmed knits, second-skin bodysuits with tailoring and bouclé jackets with tights, heels and little else. Although arguably reignited by Chanel’s Matthieu Blazy, with his debut collection for the house last year (his reimagining of Coco Chanel’s iconic tweed suits was an instant hit), the trend definitely reached its peak for pre-fall with Erdem, Sacai and Liberowe all putting their own spin on feminine tailoring and neat twinsets in heritage fabrics, ranging from houndstooth to speckled tweed.
It’s worth noting, though, that this isn’t a classic ladies-who-lunch aesthetic – it’s contemporary and cool. There’s a playfulness to the styling, with clashing colors, prints and textures bringing this look bang up to date. Versace layered lemon-yellow cable-knits over printed bandana dresses and skirts; Alessandro Michele paired lace-trimmed stockings with newly revived ‘Rockstud’ pumps at Valentino Garavani; and Polo Ralph Lauren went full prep with mismatched checks on shirts and pants. Follow their lead by styling Magda Butrym’s red bouclé mini with ankle socks and pointy slingbacks or layer Saint Laurent’s oversized tweed jacket over a lace-trimmed slip. Alternatively, start off simple with an elegant chain-strap bag by Bottega Veneta or Valentino Garavani.
VERSACECable-knit cotton sweaterCA$2,300.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size36 - out of stock38 - low stock40 - low stock42 - low stock44 - low stock4648
VALENTINO GARAVANIGrowl medium embellished leather shoulder bag
VERSACEPrinted silk-twill mini wrap skirt
THE ROWLiisa Kitten Three leather pumpsCA$1,715.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size36 - out of stock36.5 - out of stock3737.5 - out of stock38 - low stock38.5 - out of stock39 - low stock39.5 - out of stock40 - out of stock40.5 - out of stock41 - out of stock42
Back to the ’90s
If you can’t get enough of ’90s style, then you’ll be pleased to know it just got a whole lot sexier for pre-fall 2026 with the likes of Balenciaga, Tom Ford and Galvan all opting for sleek silhouettes complete with alluring cutouts, thigh-skimming slits and open backs. The vibe felt very evocative of the Tom Ford era at Gucci – read: darkly glamorous and downright seductive. Naturally, brands went big on leather, too. Nour Hammour, Magda Butrym, Khaite and, of course, Gucci (now headed up by Demna) all presented butter-soft leather jackets, pants and skirts in clean, minimal shapes that will serve as the foundation of your new-season wardrobe. Other faithful nods to the decade came via shoes and accessories, with thigh-high boots, wedge heels, thong sandals and slimline shoulder bags solidifying the mood. Start the season off strong by adding Magda Butrym’s sculptural leather jacket, Christen’s ‘The Stretch’ mules and Gucci’s ‘Jackie 1961’ chainmail bag to your wish list.
MAGDA BUTRYMPaneled leather jacket
GUCCIOne-sleeve asymmetric jersey gown
KHAITEManhattan buckled leather sandalsCA$1,700.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size35 - out of stock36 - out of stock37 - low stock383940 - low stock41
KHAITEAlder suede jacket
Jewel tones
Several of the most covetable collections were laced with punchy jewel tones that felt like a natural transition from spring/summer’s primary hues and a prelude to the moodier palette that tends to dominate fall/winter. Fforme, Alaïa and Alessandra Rich all embraced the majesty of cardinal purple on gowns, puffball minis and cocktail dresses respectively; Valentino Garavani opted for ’70s-style shift dresses in bubblegum pink and lime green; while Victoria Beckham and Solace London presented statuesque gowns in showstopping chartreuse. Elsewhere, Alaïa and Tom Ford punctuated outfits with vibrant aquamarine accessories so impactful, they’ll give a pop of red a run for its money. Make an entrance at your next black-tie event in McQueen’s draped satin gown or elevate neutral tailoring with Jimmy Choo’s ‘Jenn’ sandals in peridot green suede.
FFORMEMila satin maxi dress
GIANVITO ROSSISofia 95 leather mulesCA$1,300.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size3536 - low stock36.537 - low stock37.5 - out of stock3838.5 - low stock3939.5 - low stock40 - low stock40.541 - low stock41.542
TOM FORDAura leather-trimmed satin clutch
VALENTINO GARAVANILogo-printed belted striped silk satin-jacquard midi dressCA$7,060.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size3638 - low stock40 - low stock42 - low stock44 - out of stock46
