September doesn’t just mark the end of summer; it also celebrates new beginnings and, this year, some seriously good AW26 fashion trends. From heirloom jewellery to funnel-neck jackets, I’m excited for them all. Here are six to start wearing now…

1. Chocolate Brown

This rich, delicious shade has shaken off its retro ’70s feel and reemerged as one of the most sophisticated shades of 2026. We’ve seen designers go for head-to-toe dark cocoa on wool tailoring, suede separates, and even denim. Seen at houses like Alaïa, Gauchère, Loewe, and Zimmermann, it is one of those AW26 trends which will be hard to avoid. So let’s get on board.

Woman stands against a beige background wearing a brown oversized polo-neck poncho and wide-leg brown trousers with matching shoes, posing with hands in pockets—a sophisticated ensemble that perfectly captures the essence of autumn winter 2026 fashion trends.
Zeylie Coat
Sézane, £260
A person in a burgundy suit, patterned scarf, and large dark sunglasses poses confidently against a plain background, effortlessly embodying the bold elegance of autumn winter 2026 fashion trends.
Double-breasted Blazer
H&M, £39.99
A woman wearing dark brown trousers, a matching jacket, white shirt, scarf, sunglasses, and black boots stands confidently outdoors near a large cactus and beige wall, showcasing one of the standout autumn winter 2026 fashion trends.
90s Straight Leg Mid-Rise Jeans
Mint Velvet, £99
A woman stands in a studio wearing a dark brown long-sleeve top with a white accent and a matching midi skirt, effortlessly capturing the essence of autumn winter 2026 fashion trends. She pairs the outfit with dark brown heeled boots, whilst the background remains plain and light.
Knitted Neck Tie Detail Midi Dress
Karen Millen, £99
Woman stands against a white wall wearing a beige cardigan, white shirt, patterned green tie, brown high-waisted trousers, brown heels, and holding a matching brown handbag—a refined look that captures the essence of autumn winter 2026 fashion trends.
A&F Sloane Tailored Wide Leg Pant
Abercrombie & Fitch, £65
Woman wearing a shiny black blouse and skirt, holding a large brown leather bag, walking forward against a plain white background, with black shoes and straight brown hair—a look that perfectly captures the essence of autumn winter 2026 fashion trends.
Gathered Crinkled Skirt
Cos, £85

2. Checks

When I first saw the floaty, faded checks at Chloé, I knew I could get on board with this fun take on a heritage look. To be fair, this trend is more ‘girl on the prairie’ and less British country chic. We’re talking folksy, with an edgy, cool air. Brands like Aligne have given the print a touch of sophistication, while Damson Madder has kept things fun and quirky.

A person with straight dark hair wears a maroon and white checked top with puffed sleeves and maroon trousers, standing against a plain white background—a look that perfectly embodies autumn winter 2026 fashion trends.
Janey Ruched Sleeve Top
Aligne, £129
Headscarf
Damson Madder, £28
A woman with curly hair wears sunglasses, a checked top, a black mini skirt with a slit, silver bangles, and carries a red shoulder bag, standing against a plain white background—effortlessly showcasing autumn winter 2026 fashion trends.
Funnel Neck Jacquard Top
& Other Stories, £67
Two women showcase autumn winter 2026 fashion trends in checked clothing as they stand indoors; one faces forward in a frilled top, holding a bag, while the other turns away in a coordinating checked shirt and skirt. Both have light skin, and the maroon background adds warmth to this stylish seasonal scene.
Shay Blouse
Damson Madder, £70

For AW26, checks have been reinstated. Only this season they feel more playful. Picture plaid-printed floaty dresses or swishy skirts and frill-trimmed tops with a touch of quirkiness. Less country, more flirty.

Person wearing a red checked shirt tucked into high-waisted blue jeans with a belt, standing against a plain white background with their hands in their pockets—an effortlessly stylish look that perfectly embodies autumn winter 2026 fashion trends.
Checked Blouse
Mango, £35.99
Woman wearing a black T-shirt and a flowing black-and-white checked skirt stands against a stone wall, with one foot forward and skirt swaying, creating a dynamic movement. Embracing autumn winter 2026 fashion trends, she has long blonde hair and wears sleek black shoes.
Check Full Skirt
Albaray, £99
A woman poses wearing a chunky green jumper and a long purple check skirt, holding up one side. Reflecting autumn winter 2026 fashion trends, she pairs the look with brown ankle boots and loose hair, standing against a plain light background.
Ives Maxi Skirt
Free People, £140

3. Brooches

Out of all the autumn winter 2026 fashion trends, the spotlight on brooches is without a doubt the most spectacular. Once dismissed as a relic from your grandmother’s jewellery box, the brooch has been reborn. Spotted on numerous runways from Ralph Lauren and Giorgio Armani to Miu Miu and Tory Burch. Heritage blazers were elevated at Ralph Lauren, while Tory Burch went playful with fish-shaped brooches layered over sweaters.

These sparkly pins don’t just add bursts of decoration; they also tell a story. Yes, you could treat yourself to a new shiny one, but it could also be a family heirloom, an inherited keepsake, a flea-market find. Worn now against tailoring, knitwear, or even the hem of a dress, it turns decoration into memory. Then it’s not just fashion, it’s emotive. The treasure to be treasured.

A person with short blond hair, embodying editor fashion, wears a dark blazer with a large, round, gold pin on the lapel. The background is plain white.
Gold-Plated Brooch
Arket, £35
A gold brooch with an intricate looping design, featuring a small blue gemstone set in the centre—a striking accessory perfectly aligned with autumn winter 2026 fashion trends.
Yellow Gold and Sapphire Brooch
100 Ways, RRP £703, Now £250
A person with wet hair wears a dusty pink suit jacket with gold buttons, no shirt underneath, and a matching necktie, standing against a light grey background—a striking look inspired by autumn winter 2026 fashion trends.
Metallic Bead Brooch
Mango, £17.99
A person wearing an olive green blazer with a large gold circular brooch on the lapel, pictured from the chest up against a plain background—an elegant look that perfectly reflects autumn winter 2026 fashion trends.
Knotted Brooch
Cos, £30
A gold-rimmed silver crescent moon with star engravings, next to a gold star embossed with a small moon and star, both on a plain white background—perfectly capturing the celestial elegance seen in autumn winter 2026 fashion trends.
Moon And Star Brooch
Coach, £275
A person in a grey pinstripe blazer and grey scarf, perfectly embodying autumn winter 2026 fashion trends, has a daisy-shaped brooch with yellow and white stones on their lapel. Only the lower half of their face is visible.
Metal Brooch with Crystals
Prada, £620

4. Funnel Necks

Genuinely one of AW26’s most defining silhouettes, it’s also a trend that everyone can get behind. Driven by Phoebe Philo’s original designs, funnel necks have been consistently popular for some time. Plus, as we move into those colder months, this high neck will not only look cool but also offer practicality. Yes, it will even keep you warm. We’re going to see this look on long wool coats, suede bombers, and ’80s-inspired nylon windbreakers, paired with everything from wide-leg jeans to sheer skirts. The evidence is in: stylish, versatile, and the perfect investment.

A woman with blonde hair wears a loose-fitting dark brown leather jacket over a pink checked shirt, standing against a plain white wall with her hands in her pockets—a stylish look that captures the essence of autumn winter 2026 fashion trends.
West Village Bomber Jacket
Abercrombie & Fitch, £115
A woman wearing a long black trench coat, black heels, and large black sunglasses stands against a plain white background with hands in her coat pockets, embodying the sleek sophistication of autumn winter 2026 fashion trends.
Funnel-Neck Trench Coat
Cos, £199
A woman with tousled hair wearing a brown jacket over a light top and checked trousers stands against a plain background, looking towards the camera with a neutral expression—an effortlessly chic look that captures the essence of autumn winter 2026 fashion trends.
Funnel-neck Jacket
Mango, £89.99
A woman in a beige zip-up jacket with a gathered collar and cuffs, paired with light blue knee-length denim shorts, stands against a plain white wall, looking directly at the camera—an effortless ensemble that nods to autumn winter 2026 fashion trends.
Pleated Funnel Neck Anorak
Topshop, £65
A woman in a long, checked coat with red buttons—perfectly embodying autumn winter 2026 fashion trends—stands holding a large black clutch. She has fair hair pulled back and wears dark trousers and a white top, looking confidently at the camera.
Lottie Check Maxi Trench Coat
By Anthropologie, £198
Woman wearing oversized sunglasses, a grey zip-up high-neck jumper layered over a knitted top, and off-white trousers, standing against a plain beige background—an effortlessly chic look inspired by autumn winter 2026 fashion trends.
Sleeveless Zipped Jacket
Soeur, £385

5. Royal Purple

From violet and lavender to royal purple and magenta, this jewel-like tone took centre stage on the international runways. Beautifully complementing this season’s strongest colours, chocolate brown, chartreuse, and cobalt blue, it will serve as a much-needed bolt of colour against a winter backdrop.

Leading the charge against pared-back, minimal styling, appearing as a ruffled balloon trouser at Chloé and a sculptural knit mini dress at Loewe, its appeal is clear. Valentino, Gucci, Céline, and Balenciaga also embraced deep, regal purple, and the high street faves have followed suit.

A person wearing a fitted, long-sleeve purple polo neck and black leather trousers stands against a plain white background, looking directly at the camera—a striking look that perfectly captures autumn winter 2026 fashion trends.
Merino Wool Top
Cos, £45
Close-up of two gold earrings with large purple gemstones set in a textured, irregular gold frame, placed on a white surface—a striking accessory that captures the bold elegance seen in autumn winter 2026 fashion trends.
Volume Relief Earrings
Mango, £17.99
Person standing against a white background, wearing a fluffy purple jumper, loose dark navy trousers, and black slip-on shoes, with one hand resting on their hip—a look embodying autumn winter 2026 fashion trends.
Dion Brushed Wool Jumper
Aligne, £159
A woman with long wavy hair wearing a black top and white trousers holds a purple shoulder bag while looking to the side against a plain, light background, effortlessly showcasing one of the standout autumn winter 2026 fashion trends.
Mini Crossbody Bag
& Other Stories, £77
Person wearing a fitted, sleeveless purple dress, black sunglasses, and black heels walks confidently while holding a small black handbag against a plain white background, embodying the elegance and bold colour choices seen in autumn winter 2026 fashion trends.
Knitted Bodycon Dress
Cos, £85
A woman with long wavy hair wears a fitted, shiny purple button-up shirt and black trousers, holding a beige clutch, standing against a plain white background—a chic look that perfectly captures autumn winter 2026 fashion trends.
Raya Fitted Silk Shirt
Reformation, £198

6. Mandarin Tops

For me, the most unexpected of AW26 fashion trends is the emergence of frog-closure jackets (often correctly called Tang jackets or Tangzhuang). Usually with a Mandarin-style collar, this major fashion trend blends traditional Chinese tailoring with understated luxury and has become a firm favourite with the likes of Zara and Topshop.

A woman wearing a black, long-sleeve, Mandarin-collar jacket with frog fastenings and matching black trousers stands against a white wall, looking at the camera—a refined look that reflects autumn winter 2026 fashion trends.
Mandarin Collar Blazer
Topshop, Was £75, Now £54.99
A woman with dark hair in a bun wears a navy satin blouse with a deep V-neck, long sleeves, and three decorative knots on the front—an elegant piece perfectly in line with autumn winter 2026 fashion trends—standing against a plain white background.
Saffron Knot Fastening Satin Shirt
Aligne, £119
A woman in a brown jacket and black cropped trousers stands against a white wall, holding a red clutch bag and wearing large white earrings—a chic ensemble that perfectly captures the essence of autumn winter 2026 fashion trends.
Frogging Detail Top
Topshop, £40
A person wearing an off-white, long-sleeved jacket with decorative knot buttons and large front pockets stands against a plain, light background—an effortless nod to autumn winter 2026 fashion trends.
Pankou Closure Jacket
Róhe, £675
Person standing against a plain wall, wearing a light beige, long-sleeved, mandarin-collar top with black frog fastenings—a style echoing key autumn winter 2026 fashion trends—paired with black wide-leg trousers and sandals. Their hair is down and they have a neutral expression.
Striped Shirt With Frog Fastening
Zara, £39.99
A person stands against a plain wall, wearing a cream-coloured long-sleeve jacket with decorative buttons—a key piece among autumn winter 2026 fashion trends—paired with blue jeans, statement earrings, and holding a black bag.
Regin Jacket
Reformation, £348
Fashion, Trending Fashion

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