The Sanxtuary’s Fashion Forecast for 2026

Written by: Lucy Dover (@lucy_dover_)

In 2025 fun trends dominated the fashion industry: from labubus to polkadots, 2025 was a rollercoaster. But it is now 2026 so let’s look ahead and towards some of our favourite BIPOC stylists and fashion content creators to see what 2026 fashion trends are taking shape.

Plaid

When looking forward in fashion, it is often best to look back ten to fifteen years. In 2016, plaid flannels were everywhere, worn by YouTubers and celebrities alike and cemented as a Coachella staple. They were casual, oversized and often thrown on as an afterthought. In 2026, plaid is back, but it looks very different. This revival is more considered and far more sophisticated. Designers are playing with interesting silhouettes and unexpected proportions, favouring layering and plaid skirts over the familiar shirt. The shift is partly driven by pop princess PinkPantheress, whose use of plaid has become closely associated with the release of her sophomore mixtape Fancy That, helping reposition the print as something softer, sharper and much more intentional.

Coloured tights 

We’ve seen coloured and patterned tights slowly creeping into the trend cycle throughout 2025, but in 2026 they are no longer a novelty. They are a fixture. Whether you love them or hate them, it is hard to argue with their impact. Tights have quietly become one of the easiest ways to tie an outfit together, pulling out accent colours and adding intention where an outfit might otherwise feel unfinished. From sheer pops of colour to bold patterns that do the heavy lifting, they offer a low-effort way to make a look feel considered, even when the rest of the outfit is simple.

Monochrome

There’s no denial that monochrome was a huge trend in 2025. It wasn’t uncommon to see fully black or all-white outfits when out and about, especially in everyday styling. This is a trend that is going to continue into 2026, but in a much more fun way. Instead of sticking to dark or neutral tones, we are going to see much brighter primary and secondary colours styled monochromatically. Think head-to-toe red, orange or blue, using colour rather than minimalism. Fashion is going to get a lot more expressive with colour.

Faux fur 

Whilst some trend forecasters have predicted that faux fur is out in 2026, we think it is very much here to stay, especially following the viral “it’s faux!” moment on TikTok at the start of the year. The conversation around faux fur has only added to its appeal, pushing it back into the spotlight rather than out of it. Some of our favourite content creators have shown that this fun and versatile fabric still has plenty of life left, whether it appears in classic coat silhouettes or in more unconventional forms, like skirts and accessories.

Dopamine Dressing

Minimalism is out and maximalist fun outfits are in. Dopamine dressing is going to be a huge 2026 trend, but what is it exactly? Dopamine dressing is essentially the technique of wearing bright colours and bold patterns to boost your mood and confidence. It is based in colour psychology and is a great way to help make you feel a little bit better, especially in the Winter months. With everything going on in the world right now, it can be hard to find small pockets of joy. Whilst fashion is not going to fix those problems, it can offer a form of escape, self-expression and even quiet rebellion, allowing people to take control of how they present themselves, even when everything else feels uncertain.

Taken together, these trends point to something bigger than just what we are wearing. Fashion in 2026 feels playful, expressive and deliberately a little bit defiant. At a time when we are constantly being told to behave, comply and tone things down, getting dressed has become a way to push back against the status quo. This is not about dressing for the patriarchy or chasing approval, but about dressing for yourself and finding joy where you can. Whether that is through colour, texture or going all in on something a bit unexpected, 2026 fashion is about taking up space and having fun while doing it.