ss26 Trend tracker: From Runway Looks to High Street Style
by Louis Lorgis-Leech
Maximalism at its finest.
This Spring Summer 2026 season is seeing bold & playful trends hitting the runway, spilling into the high street. From statement pieces to experimental silhouettes as well as out of the ordinary footwear, designers are embracing volume, motion, and revival of textures, turning everyday staples into eye-catching statements.
Saint Laurent 901 Howl
A resurgence of futuristic, statement-making eyewear has overshadowed the minimalist frame era. This shift centres on volume to-the-core. For example, at Saint Laurent we saw inflated, jelly-like sunglasses. At Balenciaga and Loewe, wraparound shades dominated the face. Whether it’s a wraparound shield or a chunky architectural piece, the message is clear: if your sunglasses aren't taking up your face, you’re missing the moment. Personally, I prefer these to a boring minimalist aviator which blends in.
In line with the voluminous framework, balloon style clothing create dramatic shapes that turn what would have been a normal skirt or top into a playful, bold garment. From Chloe to Zimmermann, bubble hems were used to create movement and fluidity, giving each piece a dynamic silhouette that captivates the eye through motion rather than static form.
Zimmermann SS26 – Look 4
New Look, Poplin Bubble Hem Top
Fringe is in!
There was no shortage of fringe. Almost every designer this season incorporated at least one look with fringe. Beyond its decorative function, it acted as a structural and textural device: breaking up the silhouette, emphasizing motion, and creating a bridge between flat fabric and three-dimensional form. This moves away from the “quiet luxury” aesthetic that was pushed down our throats for the past few years with plain, classic garments…
Bottega Veneta SS26 – Look 20
Lets talk feet…
Chloe SS26
Peeping toes
We saw translucent shoes from Loewe, a techno-futuristic take on a classic moccasin where the shape was dictated by the foot as opposed to the shoe imposing a rigid structure on the foot. In addition, Chloé & Bottega were at the forefront with jelly-like heels embracing the visibility of the foot, subverting traditional expectations.
This trend mirrors the mesh ballet flats – albeit with less texture! To me it feels lazy relying on bodily features to ‘present something new, over something at least slightly more thought out with at least slightly more of a design element to it. That is why is makes sense that the only high street versions I could find online were the fishnets:
Thongs into heels: insanity or creativity?
Alaïa transformed thongs into heels reflecting a broader trend towards sensual utility. The ease of a beach staple with the rigour of a stiletto creates an interesting contrast between the casual and the formal. As interesting as it may be, the fusion risks veering into gimmickry, prioritizing novelty over wearability. While I am one for “fashion is pain” this shoe prioritizes spectacle over style.
Alaïa Tong 90 Sandals
White Fox Hamptons Thong Heels
In addition, thongs with a thick sole typically associated with The Row made a reappearance. I am not a fan of the style but I admire the practicality, for example you could easily wear these walking around in the city not just at the beach.
Dropping it low…
Low-waist/drop-waist silhouettes were featured at Chanel, Dior as well as Balenciaga emphasizing fluidity in garments. This mirrors the ongoing trends with leather goods, where slouchy, unstructured bags convey the same effortless, understated sophistication.
Balenciaga SS26 - Look 53
Shrunken Tailoring
Some of the most influential designers – the likes of Dior & Chanel leaned into a non-traditional take on classic tailoring. A traditional blazer (think Saville Row) is designed to hit at the hip creating a box shape. By cutting it off at the waist, we break away from this rectangular suit style to a more androgynous style emphasising the waist and the hips. I am very much a fan of a cropped blazer as it moves away from the stuffiness of a uniform look to something that I would actually wear outside of work with jeans for example.
Jacob Elordi in Chanel SS26 - Look 1
M&S Cropped Blazer
The Colour of the Season: Electric Blue
In a general sense, high-impact saturated bright colours were prominent. Tomato red, fuchsia pink, lime green. You get the gist.
But the one that stood out the most to me was Electric Blue due to its cool undertone making it the most striking colour in terms of intensity. But, it is important not to overuse it as sometimes it could come across as “too much”. Balancing it out with neutrals with the rest of the look is the way to go.
Valentino SS26 - Look 32
Loewe SS26 - Look 3
Tom Ford SS26 - Look 59
Overall, this season favours exaggerated shapes, dynamic textures, and unexpected twists on classics. With high-street versions of these runway moments, shoppers can experiment with different silhouettes, sculptural accessories, and innovative footwear to embrace the spirited as well as futuristic side of fashion.