Winter 2026–27 Fashion Trends You Have to Know About

Grab your hot cocoa and your coziest socks, because winter 2026–27 is here and it is anything but boring! After seasons of quiet, careful dressing, the runways went big this year: statement fur, rich velvet, moody romance, real color and boots that go all the way up the leg.

The best part? Almost every one of these trends has a twin already sitting in a closet somewhere, which means you can find it preloved, authenticated and photographed in detail for a fraction of the price. Here are the winter trends I'm most excited about, plus exactly how to wear them in real life.

1. Statement faux fur

Fur is back at full volume. Coveteur's runway roundup spotted big faux fur coats (and even fur pants!) at Gucci, Chanel, Schiaparelli and Valentino. Think oversized, a little dramatic and cloud-soft.

Pictured: our Alice + Olivia green faux fur long coat.

How to wear it: Keep everything underneath simple, like dark jeans and a fine-knit turtleneck, and let the coat do the talking. Prefer real fur? Buying it secondhand gives an existing piece a second life instead of creating demand for a new one. Our guide to buying outerwear that lasts for years has more tips, and you can browse preloved coats and jackets here.

2. Gothic romance

The biggest mood of the season is dark and romantic. NET-A-PORTER's FW26 trend report named it at Erdem, Simone Rocha, Saint Laurent and Tom Ford: black lace, sheer layers, ruffles and Victorian-feeling details.

How to wear it: One romantic piece at a time is plenty. A lace blouse under a sharp black blazer, or a ruffled dress with chunky boots, feels modern rather than costume-y. It's also a beautiful direction for holiday parties and winter weddings.

3. Velvet, everywhere

Velvet is a winter staple that never really leaves, and this year it's front and center at Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein Collection, Khaite and Alaïa. We're seeing it in suits, blazers, trousers and slinky dresses.

Pictured: our Frame dark green velvet blazer.

How to wear it: A velvet blazer over a white tee and jeans is the easiest way in. For more ideas, see how to style a blazer, then shop our designer blazers.

4. The new skirt suit

Last winter was all about power pantsuits. This year, the skirt suit takes over, with polished versions at Chanel, Jil Sander, Ferragamo and Tom Ford. Picture a nipped jacket over a pencil or A-line skirt, worn as a set or split up.

How to wear it: Add tights and knee boots for the office, or break the set and wear the jacket with jeans on the weekend. It's the quickest route to looking effortlessly classy.

5. Checks, plaid and tartan

Plaid is a winter classic that still holds, and this season it showed up at Chloé, Acne Studios and Burberry in tartans, checkerboards and big, bold checks on coats, skirts and scarves.

Pictured: our Theory plaid blazer.

How to wear it: Pair one check with solids, or, if you're feeling brave, mix two prints that share a color. Our guide to mixing patterns like a pro walks you through it.

6. Boho folk and the Penny Lane coat

Boho didn't stop at summer. Chloé, Dries Van Noten and Loewe brought back folk-inspired embroidery, fringe and shearling, so the '70s Penny Lane coat with its fluffy collar and cuffs is still the coat to own.

How to wear it: Flared jeans, a suede bag and a little fringe. Keep the colors earthy and warm.

7. Touchable texture: feathers, sequins and shearling

Designers want you to reach out and touch your clothes this year. Bottega Veneta and Louis Vuitton went big on shearling and fringe, while Chanel did shimmering sequins.

How to wear it: Mix one texture with something smooth, like a sequin skirt with a cashmere sweater. Here's more on mixing textures.

8. The '90s minimal dress

Clean, slinky, '90s-style dresses were all over Alaïa, Calvin Klein Collection and Gucci. Think slip dresses and long column shapes in black, cream and deep colors.

How to wear it: Layer a fine turtleneck under a slip dress and add a long coat for daytime. At night, wear it alone with one great piece of jewelry. Browse our preloved designer dresses.

9. Boots as pants

The boot of the season goes all the way up. Over-the-knee boots at Givenchy, Tom Ford, Aquazzura and Toteme are styled almost like trousers, under short skirts, mini dresses and even shorts with a long coat.

How to wear it: Match your boots to your tights for a long, lean line. Shop designer boots here.

10. Brown is the new black

Chocolate, espresso, cognac and caramel are everywhere. Harper's Bazaar picked cognac and chestnut boots at Dior, Gabriela Hearst, Ralph Lauren and Max Mara, and brown leather and suede are showing up on coats, skirts and bags too.

How to wear it: Try brown head to toe in different shades and textures. It reads instantly expensive.

11. Snake and leopard, the wild neutrals

Leopard is still a neutral in my book, and this year it has company: snake and croc-effect boots from Gucci, Isabel Marant, Ulla Johnson and Dolce & Gabbana. See our secrets to rocking animal prints.

12. Flower pins, rosettes and bows

Bows paved the way, and now oversized flower pins and rosettes are blooming on coats and dresses at Khaite, Simone Rocha, Dior and Chanel.

How to wear it: Pin a fabric flower to the lapel of a coat you already own. It's the cheapest trend on this list!

13. Long gloves

Opera-length gloves came back at Max Mara, Balenciaga, Ralph Lauren and Khaite. They're practical and glamorous at the same time, especially with three-quarter sleeves. Find gloves and more in our accessories.

14. Long, tailored coats

Not every trend has to shout. A long, beautifully cut coat in camel, black or chocolate is the most dependable winter investment there is, and it's the perfect base for every layering look on this list.

15. Layer on layer

Prada, Missoni, Bottega Veneta and Loewe stacked it all up: knits over shirts, vests over dresses, scarves over coats. The trick is to keep the layers thin and in one color family so you look styled, not bundled.

16. Cozy knits and funnel necks

Turtleneck sweater dresses, matching knit sets, oversized scarves and funnel-neck jackets are all over the stores. Our ultimate guide to winter sweaters covers the styles, fabrics and trends worth knowing.

17. The colors: burgundy, plum and bottle green

Burgundy is still going strong, now joined by plum, bottle green and ochre on the runways, and by brown, olive and cream in the stores (Who What Wear tracked them across hundreds of new arrivals). For the full palette, see the fall 2026 colors taking the season by storm.

Winter trends FAQ

What are the biggest fashion trends for winter 2026–27?

Statement faux fur, gothic romance, velvet, the skirt suit, plaid, boho shearling, over-the-knee boots and a lot of brown. Rich colors like burgundy, plum and bottle green round it out.

Is winter white still in?

Absolutely. Cream leather boots and soft ivory knits are one of this season's quiet favorites. Here are four luxurious ways to wear winter white.

How do I try trends without overspending?

Pick one or two trends that suit your style, build them around the basics you already own, and shop preloved. Every piece we sell is authenticated in-house and photographed in detail. Start with a fall and winter capsule wardrobe.

Which winter trend is calling your name?

Whether you're wrapping up in faux fur, going full dark romance or just slipping into a velvet blazer, this winter is all about having fun with your clothes again. Mix, match and make it yours.

Ready to shop? Our new arrivals land every day, and there's always something special waiting at our four DC-area stores.

Stay warm and stylish!

XOXO, Carmen

Photo sources

Faux fur, Sheer, Ruffle, Velvet, Suiting, Pencil skirt, Checks, Penny Lane coat, Fringe, Feathers, Sequins, Black and white, Short hem with long jacket, Leather, Leopard, Bows, Trench, Cozy knits, Burgundy. Product photos: Current Boutique.