New House Rules

How will we want to dress come springsummer 2026? Rosana Lai speaks to the world's top buyers and creatives on the trends and attitudes that will define our sartorial sensibilities next season

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It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. ” Charles Dickens might have been referring to two European capitals experiencing the paradox of progress in 1859, but the pithy line could just as well be applied to the spring-summer 2026 runways. In the midst of economic uncertainty and global unrest, the fashion world found cause to celebrate and experience its own renaissance. From the catwalk to the front row, there was palpable excitement for the season ahead, buoyed by a changing of the guard. Spring 2026 marks a new beginning—how will we want to dress for its arrival?

“The atmosphere at both Milan and Paris this season was noticeably more upbeat and full of anticipation,” Brigitte Chartrand, Net-A-Porter’s chief buying and merchandising officer tells Tatler. “There was fresh energy and genuine excitement, largely driven by all of the highly anticipated designer debuts.” In a historic high, the runways were aflush with new blood—there were 15 designer debuts, in shows from New York to Milan to Paris. While, disappointingly, only two were led by female creative directors, they were also some of the most highly anticipated. Louise Trotter, formerly at the helm of Carven, made her debut at Bottega Veneta to critical acclaim, while Rachel Scott of Diotima did not disappoint eager fans of Proenza Schouler; both showcased skilfully tailored collections that spoke to the modern woman.