Torn Jeans Are Here Again, But Dress Them Up!
This year is definitely a throwback to the decade past, and it starts with New York fashion making a big comeback. Torn jeans were the big trend during NYFW SS26, from Brandon Maxwell, Simkhai, and even Area. But it’s not the slouchy and distressed look you had in middle school; it’s a new take on old fashion. Torn jeans have been paired up by New Yorkers with silk blouses, tailored jackets, plain white tees, and high heeled mules. The clash of styles makes the look unique.
Pattern Within Patterns Within Patterns
New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026 was quite clear about something: patterns are back and they are layered like never before. Editors out there shopping for new trends at NYFW SS26 are seen mixing floral patterns, plaids, stripes, and other geometric patterns. You can even spot zebra patterns with checkers, but you have to stick to the same colours for your look.
Oversized Sport Jacket
One of the biggest trends in street style at NYFW for this season was the oversized sport jacket. No blazers here, nor any trenches either, just an oversized sport jacket that does all the styling work by itself. Style it with your wide-leg pants and clean kicks and you have a whole outfit ready to go. It looks like something out of a thrift store in a trendy part of the city, yet still structured.
Transparent Layers Are a Thing
With see-through tops layered over structured clothing, see-through skirts worn over wide-leg shorts, and mesh clothes worn over bralettes – transparent clothing is a street style phenomenon. The trick is balancing the look – if the sheer element of the outfit isn’t wearing anything underneath it, it’s seen as unfinished rather than stylish.
The Rise of Totes: Winners and Losers in Accessories
After the brief stint of micro bags in style, the trend now is the tote bag in large sizes to match the free flowing silhouettes of 2026, which is ideal as an accessory for New York, where people carry everything they own with them. Also making a comeback are statement hats – particularly the pillbox hat that gained popularity during the 1960s.
Mermaid Dresses for Roof Top Parties
Mermaid dresses have become a common sight at gallery shows, roof top party events, and even dinner parties within the downtowns of 2026 after being featured on the runways of Tanner Fletcher and Prabal Gurung’s SS26. This silhouette fits well within the summer season due to its light and fitted structure.
Shoe Update
All day long, pristine white sneakers reign supreme. It’s the Nike Cortez, the New Balance 550, and the Air Force 1 carrying the weight here. At night time, the gothic aesthetic is making its way into a counter-trend. Think buckles on boots, metal grommets, and witch-inspired lace-ups, all courtesy of the sneaker look of the year, per Refinery29’s list of the most iconic shoe trends in 2026. Soothing yet sturdy, familiar yet intriguing.
Denim Jeans at Large
Skinny jeans are out, while not completely dead, but definitely no longer the focal point. In 2026, barrel leg jeans, wide leg jeans, and cigarette leg jeans are having their time in the limelight. “Comfort is obviously key, but also, there’s just something more modern about a relaxed look,” Grace Na, founder of Pistola Denim, told Refinery29. “New York City has really taken to styling their jeans up, instead of down,” she added.
How to Wear It
You don’t need to be in New York to dress like you’re there. For New York summer 2026, the look consists of a patterned item, a silhouette detail, a structured outerwear item such as a blazer or sports jacket, an oversized bag, and either clean or statement shoes according to the hour of the day. Pick an item and go from there.
New York has always been the most dependable fashion thermometer. What does she say? Stop playing it safe.
References by NYFW SS26 coverage by The Zoe Report, Cosmopolitan, Yahoo Fashion, and Refinery29.
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