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The hot days of summer will soon be on their way out, and with a new season comes the long-awaited opportunity to trade our ’90s-inspired slip dresses and chic sandals for lush leathers and bold accessories. Yes, the pre-fall 2026 collections may have debuted months ago, but these exciting pieces are only hitting stores now—along with some gems slowly trickling in from the fall 2026 shows—and they’re already inspiring our outfit updates.
It’s never been a more interesting time to experiment, whether dressing up for a night out or keeping it casual while running errands. While it’s still warm enough to wear your best summer pieces, cooler evenings tinged with that distinct back-to-school feeling are helping to usher in the return of fall favorites. Read on for the top pre-fall 2026 trends to try now.
Silk Scarf Everything
If the pre-fall collections have proven anything so far, it’s the power of the humble silk scarf, which has been a real focus of many designers. It’s now getting credit for the wardrobe workhorse it really is. Take a cue from Dries Van Noten and Versace with stunning silk-twill wrap skirts that give the illusion of a big silky scarf effortlessly wrapped around the body. Or follow Dior, Pucci, Dolce & Gabbana, and Zimmermann, who are also leaning heavily into silk-scarf-inspired dressing via printed tops and statement dresses. When in doubt, keep it classic and integrate a simple patterned silk scarf into any look for instant color and texture.
Architectural Leathers
Leather will always be a go-to for pre-fall, but this season designers amped up the luxury effect with buttery-soft, supple finishes in architectural shapes that feel truly new and exciting. This was visible on the runways at Magda Butrym, Tom Ford, and Rick Owens, where highly structured leather outerwear with unusual textural finishes and unexpected, high-fashion shapes reigned supreme. When shopping (and styling) leather this season, go big or go home, with exaggerated funnel necks, puff sleeves, elevated darts, and oversized collars.
Think Pink
Pretty pinks are sweeping through the runways and our wardrobes, one bubble gum pop at a time. The fun of this trend is that you can go all out with a perfectly pink-hued head-to-toe look, or keep it muted with small doses of baby blush pink via your handbag or shoes. Brands including Gucci, Khaite, and Cecilie Bahnsen are showing us the power of pink in the softest shades. Sometimes all you really need is a pink statement dress.
The New Lace Effect
The lace trend from summer continues, but it looks different this time, with a distinct vintage revival feel. Lace as a textural effect is the biggest feature for pre-fall. Take inspiration from Chloé’s ruffled silk gowns and Saint Laurent’s brocade midi skirts and satin spun camisoles, or Valentino’s delicate pink lace bodysuits and T-shirts with lace sleeves. It’s all about having fun: lace in bright colors, unusual overlays, or repositioned on something like a striking pencil skirt feels new.
Clear to Me
Get ready to wear everything translucent, whether it be in PVC, TPU, or chic glass. Jewelry and shoes are key easy pieces for trying out the trend at home. Just look at Saint Laurent’s sheer and shiny candy-colored pumps and Alaïa’s invisible sandals as a new kind of naked shoe. Maryam Nassir Zadeh—who has specialized in this kind of shoe for years—is doing it in fun iterations for the new season. Brands like Alaïa also indulged in beautiful, sculptural glass cuffs. Organza layering and glossy PVC outerwear seen everywhere from Simone Rocha to Tom Ford also play into this look.
