Fall forecast: Update your closet with these runway-to-real-way trends

As seen at: MM6 Maison Margiela

Pencil skirts were ubiquitous on the Fall/Winter 2026 runways, in classic fabrics at Miu Miu and MM6 Maison Margiela and more adventurous patent leather at Tory Burch. You may already have one in your wardrobe; the key is to make sure it lands at the right length (a few inches below the knee) and, when you’re not wearing it to the office, “having your other layers feel a little bit more undone,” Vieira says. “So instead of having something perfectly tucked in, there’s just a little bit more of a relaxed energy to the separates that accompany it.”

As seen at: Givenchy by Sarah Burton

An evergreen style that will wear well this season and beyond, pinstripe suits made a splash on the runways at shows like Givenchy by Sarah Burton and Dolce & Gabbana. This time around, consider opting for a fit that “feels a little looser,” Vieira says. “That could mean that the blazer’s a little bit on the longer side, versus the more cropped silhouettes that we’ve seen in the past.”
And if a full-on pantsuit feels like too much, consider pairing your trousers with a matching pinstripe shirt or vest instead – many brands are offering a range of tailored separates in the same fabric.

As seen at: Simone Rocha

Sporty layers such as track jackets, anoraks and windbreakers continue to be fall favourites at Lacoste, Simone Rocha and other shows. Styling them for dressier occasions will require a bit of experimentation and sartorial confidence. “It’s about being a little bit daring and maybe reimagining which pieces can live together,” Vieira says. The look at Rocha playfully combines a striped zip jacket with lace.

Don’t hesitate to add “more layers than not” to help you bring a look together, Vieira adds. “If you have one piece that’s sporty and then an opposing piece on the bottom that’s really feminine, it can feel like you just chose two pieces – but it’s about that layering element.”

As seen at: Prabal Gurung

Velvet dresses and separates in bright jewel tones made an appearance on the Prabal Gurung, FFORME and Ulla Johnson runways. What’s great about this popular seasonal fabric is that its sumptuousness requires little accessorizing.
With a nice velvet dress “you could have a really simple black heel or just a pair of studs and have your hair pulled back clean,” Vieira says. “It makes the rest of your outfit planning really simple.”

As seen at: Paul Smith

Colourful Fair Isle knits, jacquard sweater vests and more kept things cozy on the runway at Paul Smith, Polo Ralph Lauren and Dries Van Noten. Chow says they’re an easy way to introduce more colour and pattern to your wardrobe this season. These statement wool knits, which you could buy new or source secondhand, look great solo, but are even better layered over a co-ordinating dress shirt for added impact.

As seen at: Hermès

At Hermès, AURALEE and Lemaire, there were sleek, compelling takes on classic bomber and blouson-style jackets, updated in unexpected materials like silk-twill and leather. To find the perfect light- or mid-weight fall topper for you, Chow says that “it’s a matter of choosing one that is the right length for your body.” Ideally, your jacket should end mid-hip rather than below the hip, and shouldn’t feel too fitted where the ribbing is placed, Chow suggests.

As seen at: Prada

There were still plenty of slouchy, pleated trousers and pantsuits on the fall runways, but designers at shows like Prada and Gucci notably opted for slimmer silhouettes for a change of pace.

If you’re not ready to make the transition yet, Chow suggests starting with boot-cut styles for now. They’re “slimmer throughout the thigh, but then you still have a little bit of wideness down at the bottom,” Chow says.

As seen at: Saint Laurent

Crisp shirting, sometimes with extra-long sleeves and bold cuffs, stole the show at Saint Laurent and beyond. Wear yours with a great tie, or with cuffs peeking out from under a sharp blazer or fitted knit. The sleeves here are the focus, Chow says. A tip: If you can’t find the right off-the-rack fit for this trend, brands such as Indochino offer made-to-measure shirts for those with a bit of patience.