NYFW: Trends in Motion
The energy of New York Fashion Week SS26 is still buzzing through the streets of New York. Fashion Week showgoers became instant interpreters of what they saw under the spotlights, translating the newest collections into layered, lived-in looks. Headscarves, sheer lace, and mismatched prints, three of the season’s most talked-about statements, proved especially adaptable, reimagined in ways that felt both fresh and perfect for the transition into fall dressing.
Headscarves
Headscarves made their mark both on the runway and in the streets this season, cementing their status as one of SS26’s most versatile accessories. Designers treated them as statements of drama and mystique, draping silks and gauzy fabrics with cinematic precision, while showgoers reinterpreted the look with downtown ease off the runway: scarves paired with voluminous trousers, striped silks tied tightly across the crown, and patterned wraps styled with graphic prints. Whether polished into elegance or layered with eclectic textures, the headscarf emerged as a season-defining accessory, bridging nostalgia with modern attitude.
Pictured (left to right): Christian Cowan, Calvin Klein, Getty Images
Sheer Lace Bottoms
Sheer lace pants and skirts emerged as one of the most striking SS26 runway statements, and the look has already found its way onto the streets during NYFW. On the runway, designers experimented with transparency and texture. House of Aama’s romantic capris and Ulla Johnson’s patterned sheer leggings styled under bold tailoring both reimagined lace as something modern and wearable rather than solely delicate. Translating this into fall street style, fashion insiders balanced the daring fabric with practical layering. In the case of the photo I scouted, a floral lace pencil skirt paired with chunky sneakers and a belted oversized shirt grounded the ethereal in everyday ease. Together, these looks signal lace’s evolution into a year-round staple, styled less as a trim and more as a confident statement piece.
Pictured (left to right): Ulla Johnson, House of Aama, Getty Images
Mismatched Prints
Mismatched prints were one of the loudest statements at SS26 NYFW, and it’s clear the energy has already spilled onto the streets. During the shows, we saw stripes, checks, and painterly patterns layered with a deliberate clash that was simply delightful. On the runway, designers like Anna Sui leaned into hand-drawn stripes and textural mixes, while Zankov pushed graphic boldness with swimwear-inspired pairings topped with geometric knits. Off the runway, guests translated the trend into fall dressing with equal playfulness. This NYFW attendee rocked a banker-striped shirt and polka-dot tie teamed with embroidered denim and matching denim boots. Prints no longer need to “match” so much as they need to hold their own in conversation with each other, creating looks that are as witty as they are wearable.
Pictured (left to right): Zankov, Anna Sui, Getty Images
