More is more in 2026: our fashion and beauty trend predictions signal it’s time to make a statement

Sienna Bentley

I fancy myself quite the trend forecaster (and psychic!). This is simply because I have excellent taste and have a habit of liking things before they’re cool (except humility; I haven’t quite gotten my head around that one yet). So here’s a list of things I want to, and therefore will, see in 2026.

Jokes aside, as this generation in particular becomes more analog in nature, the idea of making a substantial impact or creating something to last and be remembered will be the undercurrent of fashion, beauty, music, film, sustainability, everything. I reckon this will be a defining feature of 2026 and personally (not just because I make magazines…) I’m all for it.

Compound this with the fact that we’re going through a recession, it’ll be about consuming less and innovating more. Reimagining existing themes, getting crafty with fabrics. I think we’ll see some real creativity this year, which I am very excited about.

The ‘clean girl’ is officially out

I feel like I have to mention Zara Larsson, since she’s really having a moment right now, in part due to her striking visuals. On her Midnight Sun tour, the Swedish popstar is trading minimalism for rhinestones. Her makeup artist Sophia Sinot is redefining popstar glam, leaning hard into fairy-like y2k energy. Together, Larsson and Sinot are bringing back 2016 in a whole new way. No-makeup makeup looks and clean girl aesthetics are officially gone. Thank God.

Source: Sophia Sinot (taken from Vogue Scandinavia)

Mermaids and sirens are in

I had a few different trends that I wanted to cover, and I realised they all work together under the same banner. While I’m not a huge believer in the whole ‘insert-random-word-here-core’ labels, in the interest of efficiency, I’m going to group them together here. I’m talking wet looks, chrome and iridescent colours everywhere, heavy satin, lots and lots of pearls… Maybe I’m just really missing living by the ocean these days.

As I said, 2026 won’t be about minimalism. Intricate webs of pearls and beads and pendants create complexity, which reflects a boldness that defines the era we’re entering and the people living in it.

They’re mimicking deliberate boundaries. Chosen chains. It’s ironic, confining yourself like this, but it’s also liberating. We are complicated, boundary’d and elaborate individuals.

Heavy satin is opulent and its movement fluid like water or liquid silver. It’s simple, but it doesn’t blend into the backdrop. That’s the energy I’m taking into 2026 (and no, I’m not calling myself simple… rather, understated).

Rockstars are in

Fuck the ‘rockstar girlfriend’ aesthetic. Be the rockstar. My idols in this department are Taylor Momsen, The Pretty Reckless front woman, and Vic de Angelis, DJ and bassist for Måneskin. All hail.

This is the vibe I have always been drawn to and for good reason; it’s just sick. It’s always had its place but I think it’ll blow up in 2026. As we focus less on curated feeds and more on real experiences, lived in makeup and that 90s indie sleaze vibe will be more the norm.

However, I do think there’s a risk that this look and vibe will be the result of an over-curated attempt to appear natural. If you’re trying to emulate and not really live it, that will be obvious. And that’s the opposite of what this aesthetic is.

Messy, smudged eyeshadow and soft lips suggest we’re too busy living life to think about having perfect makeup.

While I live for monochrome fashion, particularly all black, the marriage of leather and lace (two of my favourite things) bring dimension and spark interest in the otherwise plain fit. I predict that we’ll see more clashing and meshing of fabrics and textures. Think patterned lacy tights, chunky leather belts.

Cool tones 4eva

Silver will never go out of style. But browns and golds (cool and warm) have dominated the past decade, and the tides are turning. Grey contour and muted pinks are complimenting the frosty shimmer as people embrace their natural undertones.

With accessories, more is more

If we’re rolling with the theme of impact, I expect we’ll see better and more inventive use of accessories. I love a bandana on the head, but what about as a scarf, or a belt?

We’ll also look for more ways to adorn ourselves. I’m thinking brooches, badges, chunky jewellery (always). It’s all in the details. And that includes our nails. I want to do this so badly, but I wouldn’t even know where to start. Naeve, my resident nail artist, these when?