Most Wanted

Be sure to add Culture Club to your 2026 playlist – because there was an undeniably ’80s mood at the recent pre-spring shows that riffed on one of the decade’s most defining movements: the New Romantics. Emerging from the London club scene, the original look was a celebration of glamour, flamboyance and self-expression (there were ruffles, polka dots and lots of lace). And while the current revival leans into all three trends, brands such as Gucci, Chloé and Khaite have given this look a modern, much sexier edge.

“We’ve seen various takes on romance in recent seasons, but the pre-spring 2026 version might just be my favorite one yet,” says NET-A-PORTER’s fashion editor, Kristen Neillie. “I love the balance between structure and softness that came through in the collections – and that punchy jewel tones, like purple and electric blue, took precedence over pastels,” she adds. Not only were those colors a hit on the runway, but they were spotted on the red carpet, too. Julia Roberts attended the Gotham Awards in a purple polka-dot satin suit by Tom Ford, while Dakota Johnson wore a daringly sheer cobalt-blue Gucci gown to the Zurich Film Festival. “The color and fabric felt interesting and fun; unexpected,” says Johnson’s stylist, Kate Young. “I also love that it’s a covered-up princess dress yet totally sexy at the same time.”

Embrace the mood yourself with Chloé’s royal-blue blouse from our NET SUSTAIN edit – the pie-crust collar, lightly puffed shoulders and frilly cuffs hit all the right ’80s notes. “I’d style mine with high-shine leather pants and Jimmy Choo’s razor-sharp ‘Brigitte’ pumps for late-night drinks,” says Neillie. Alternatively, add just a pop of color with Khaite’s ‘Lotus’ bag in vibrant amethyst-hued calf hair.

If you’re more into prints, then Gucci has you covered. This ribbon-printed blouse has softly structured shoulders and long pussy-bow ties that nod to ’80s power dressing – it looks especially chic paired with the brand’s skinny stretch-velvet pants, as seen on the runway. Complement the burgundy and mocha tones with Tom Ford’s snake-effect leather pumps, tying everything together with Alaïa’s embellished suede bucket bag and David Webb’s chunky 18-karat gold, platinum and diamond ring.

Browse more in this week’s New In.