It’s a wrap on New York Fashion Week’s runways for Fall/Winter 2026, and there were definitely some trends worth noting this season.
Aubergine
As Fashionista reports, a far cry from Pantone’s tame (read: bland) color of 2026 — a milky white hue dubbed “Cloud Dancer” — the Fall 2026 runways at New York Fashion Week are rallying around a powerful, deep purplish shade.
Of course, the fall collections typically introduce deeper, moodier color palettes to match the dreary weather, and this jewel-toned eggplant purple hue is in keeping with that vibe. It’s a safe foray into wintertime color for those with all-black wardrobes, but its bolder iterations also function as head-turning splashes of color for those looking to brighten the lingering piles of snow.
New York labels presented various purple hues, with many veering into reddish, wine-like undertones and others taking on a bluish, violet-forward tint. Cult Gaia, Michael Kors, Diotima and Bach Mai embraced head-to-toe aubergine ensembles, positioning the shade as particularly regal. Ready-to-wear label 6397 designed an everyday zip-up sweater in the tone, Caroline Zimbalist translated the hue into wearable art and Sergio Hudson edged into amethyst tones with a rich floor-length skirt.
Brooches
There’s no question about it, NYFW designers weren’t subtle about cosigning one particular accessory for Fall 2026: the brooch.
Ralph Lauren, Khaite, Tory Burch, Altuzarra, Sergio Hudson, Coach, Sandy Liang and many (many!) more each showed their unique takes on pin-on accessories this season. They put brooches’ surprising versatility on full display, whether styling them functionally as fasteners to secure scarves, tops and even skirts; or as flashy or subtle adornments to top off a look. (They’ve also, it’s worth noting, had their pop culture 15 minutes recently; “Traitors US” Season 4 fans know that brooches can serve as quite dramatic amulets.)
Maximalist jewelry is having a moment right now, and brooches are perfect for playing into that more-is-more styling philosophy. Standout micro-trends within the brooch genre include clusters of gemstones (as seen on the 7 For All Mankind, LaQuan Smith and Prabal Gurung runways); scarf closures (used at Altuzarra, Akki, Kallmeyer, Kate Barton, Marina Moscone, Ossou and Ralph Lauren) and florals (AGWE, Campillo, Carolina Herrera, Caroline Zimbalist, Khaite, Marina Moscone and Sergio Hudson).
Faux Fur
Faux fur is officially the Winter 2026 power move, and was a major trend and a prominent fixture at NYFW for Fall/Winter 2026, featuring heavily in street style and runway presentations as the industry pivots away from real fur. Ahead of a formal, full ban on animal fur starting in September 2026, designers like Altuzarra, Sandy Liang and Aknvas showcased sustainable, high-quality alternatives, making faux fur a key, ethical style choice.
From oversized coats to hats, gloves, micro stoles and plush trims, this season’s obsession is all about texture, drama, and a little bit of attitude — without the guilt.
Touch Me, Feel Me, Textures
The flurry of textures shown at the Christian Siriano show was a feast for the senses. From avant-garde dresses covered in sleek sequins to laser-cut leathers to sheer velvet floral creations, his was a collection that not only caught your eye but made you want to reach out and touch. Complex textiles can often look overwhelming, but Siriano made things look surprisingly effortless.
And he wasn’t the only one. Proenza Schouler, Ralph Lauren, Diotima, Sandy Liang, Cult Gaia, Jane Wade, Carolina Herrera and Michael Kors all showed looks you wanted to reach out and touch.
Shine and Sheen
If there’s one NYFW show you can always count on to deliver bombshell beauty, it’s LaQuan Smith. The New York native showed a collection where “seduction is the strategy,” which translated into soft-cut velvety suits and roomy trousers that skimmed the body, silk satiny blouses unbuttoned to the navel with cummerbunds that cinched the waist, all in rich jewel tones that recalled the swankiness of the 70s.
Sandy Liang displayed fanciful satin bows, glittering sequins, and crayon pastel colors with childlike abandon, making the collection look light and youthful rather than preciously overwrought. Prabal Gurung had a fall collection that was a kaleidoscope full of magical shapes: sari-like dresses adorned with dangling bobbles were tucked beneath tailored suits, gleaming silks poured over the body like rose water. The Zankov show had all the fashionable fixings of a must-have wardrobe mixed-and-matched to whimsical perfection with silks, sequins and sweaters. And Ulla Johnson, Collina Strada, and Zankov all features some shine and sheen in their groove.
Power Coats
For FW 2026, it felt like every designer showed off their tailoring skills with a massive “Power” coat. Michael Kors showed off a beautifully tailored charcoal grey suit with a flowing, belted wrap coat. In her 7 For All Mankind debut, Nicola Brognano showed her mad tailoring skills with coats and blazers. the Calvin Klein collection designed by Veronica Leoni featured an oversized and yet exquisitely tailored uber-suit.
Joseph Altuzarra’s fall collection embraced contrast—restraint and excess, tradition and provocation in the form of classic sportswear masterfully transformed into grand gestures with sculptural, statuesque peacoats set against floor-sweeping flamenco skirts in weightless chiffons, shirt dresses tactfully tailored to a tee, and fur-sleeved coats worn over billowing fern green gowns. Prabal Gurung showed off cocooning trench coats that enveloped models as if they were modern-day kimonos.
Rachel Scott brought a sumptuous cream near floor-length coat richly layered over textured pants, Mexican designer Patricio Campillo has skyrocketed to the top of the menswear world with his richly textured and beautifully fitted coats. Public School’s overcoats practically skimmed the floors in rich hues and fabrics. Proenza Schouler had riding jackets exaggerated and flowing at the hip. Sergio Hudson delivered an anniversary collection had coats that showcased what he excels at most: razor-sharp tailoring and strikingly rich hues.
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