The Top Trends for 2026 – And How to Make Them Work for Your Brand
Image from Summery Copenhagen via Flaunter
Every year, the editorial world takes stock of the cultural landscape and compiles its list of what’s next, bringing a new wave of colours, silhouettes and aesthetics that dominate feeds and headlines. Whether these trends touch fashion, homewares, accessories, or everything in between, for brands, the pressure to keep up can feel relentless.
But here’s the truth: you don’t need to overhaul your entire product range every time a new trend hits. What matters most is how you position what you already have. Editors, influencers, and stylists aren’t just looking for “new”—they’re looking for relevant, well-presented products that fit the story they’re telling right now.
By understanding the trends shaping conversations and leveraging platforms like Flaunter, brands can connect with media and influencers without creating unnecessary waste or scrambling to launch new collections. Flaunter helps you showcase existing products in a way that feels fresh, editorial, and trend-aware—through smart tagging, curated mood boards, and purposeful pitching.
But before we get into it here are the trend lists everyone's talking about:
Marie Claire with “The Biggest 2026 Fashion Trends Push You to Step into Your Power”
Here are their trends:
Glamoratti: A bold, ‘80s-inspired aesthetic featuring oversized suits, sculpted shoulders, and chunky accessories that exude confidence and maximalism.
Sportif: A chic evolution of athleisure blending technical fabrics with everyday styling for a sporty yet sophisticated look.
Going for Gold: Gold tones dominate as a symbol of opulence and heritage, offering a luxurious alternative to minimalism.
Poet-Core: A romantic, literary-inspired style mixing vintage blazers, lace details, and academic accessories for a creative persona-driven look.
Shift in Proportions: Experimental silhouettes like cropped jackets, bubble skirts, and low-rise cuts redefine traditional body balance.
Guardian Design: Functional fashion with anti-theft and privacy features integrated seamlessly into stylish, elevated designs.
Prints Galore: A playful embrace of mixed prints and patterns, from animal motifs to florals, for bold, expressive outfits.
Transformative Teal: A versatile, gender-inclusive teal hue that blends depth and freshness, emerging as the colour of the year.
VOGUE Australia with the “5 swimwear trends you’ll be seeing everywhere in 2026”
Under the Wire: Underwire bikinis dominate for their lingerie-inspired structure, offering supportive yet minimal silhouettes.
Spot the Dots: Polka dots return as a nostalgic yet modern print, with softer patterns and tonal palettes for a fresh twist.
Lay It on Thick: Thick straps create bold, athletic-inspired swimwear that combines functional lift with sleek, confident lines.
Mix and Match: Mismatched tops and bottoms embrace curated color-blocking and tonal combinations for personalized, polished swim sets.
Add-Ons: Sculptural hardware and jewelry-like accents elevate swimwear into statement pieces that blur the line between accessory and function.
RUSSH with“7 handbag trends we’re predicting will be everywhere in 2026”
Beat-Up Bag: Worn-in, vintage-style bags with soft leather and visible patina become a luxury status symbol.
Bowling Bags: Nostalgic, U-shaped bags with top handles and roomy silhouettes dominate for their practicality and playful vibe.
Chatelaine: Bags adorned with functional charms and accessories reflect a lifestyle of constant movement and curated chaos.
Camera Bags: Utilitarian-inspired cubic bags with multiple pockets and dividers offer both style and functionality.
Barrel Bags: Sleek cylindrical bags with minimalist hardware and top handles cater to modern minimalists.
Belted Bags: Belt-like buckles and loops add a structured, edgy twist to handbags for a chic, versatile look.
Fringed Bags: Fringe detailing—from suede to beads and leather—brings a bohemian yet luxurious flair to accessories.
ELLE Decor says “These 5 Colours Will Dominate in 2026, According to Pinterest”
Persimmon (#FF5C34): A bold red-orange shade trending for vibrant home accents like statement chairs, kitchenware, and feature walls.
Cool Blue (#D7EFFF): A calming, glacial blue perfect for serene interiors, from soft bedding to airy curtains and pastel ceramics.
Jade (#AEB8A0): A muted green ideal for earthy home décor, including kitchen cabinetry, textured throws, and nature-inspired accessories.
Plum Noir (#351E28): A deep, moody purple bringing luxe drama to interiors through velvet upholstery, accent walls, and rich décor pieces.
Wasabi (#E9F056): An electric chartreuse that adds playful energy to home spaces with bold rugs, vibrant kitchenware, and statement lighting.
How to Use Flaunter to Stay Visible Without Overproducing
These trend lists don’t just inform consumers—they set the tone for editors, influencers, and stylists curating content for the year. For brands, the question becomes: how do you align with these trends without creating an entirely new product range?
1. Reshoot With What You’ve Got
You don’t need an entirely new range to tap into trends. Flaunter makes it easy to refresh your existing imagery so it feels current and editorial. For example, reshoot your handbag collection styled with charms to nod to the Chatelaine trend. Even if you’re not directly selling the trending item, show how your product plays a part in the aesthetic. This approach positions your brand as trend-aware without overproducing—and gives editors the visual context they need to feature your pieces.
Your press centre is always on, always discoverable. Refresh it by re-uploading these products with their new imagery into a new album, so media can easily find and download updated assets.
2. Tagging for Discoverability
Think of tags as the SEO of the editorial world. Flaunter’s tagging feature allows you to align your products with trending keywords so they show up in the right searches. If you’re a swimwear brand, tag pieces with “polka dot” or “thick straps.” If you’re a homewares brand looking to capitalise on this year’s top color picks, tag “persimmon” or “plum”. Editors and stylists often search by trend, so precise, relevant tags make your products easier to find and far more likely to be featured.
3. Mood Boarding Without Overhauling Your Range
You don’t need to launch a new collection every time a trend emerges. Flaunter lets you create curated mood boards that position your existing products within trending aesthetics. For example, if “Cool Blue” is dominating interiors, group your pale blue ceramics, linens, and glassware into a cohesive board. This helps editors visualize your products in context and see how they fit into the story they’re telling.
4. Pitching with Purpose
Generic pitches get lost in inboxes. Flaunter enables you to craft trend-driven pitches that resonate with media needs. Instead of saying, “Here’s our new collection,” frame your pitch around what’s hot: “Our latest pieces tap into the Persimmon colour trend dominating Milan Fashion Week.” This approach shows you understand the cultural conversation and positions your brand as part of it.
5. Present Creatively
Flaunter isn’t just about showcasing products; it’s about storytelling. Pair your items with lifestyle imagery, editorial captions, and trend narratives. For instance, if “Wasabi” is trending, create an album titled “Bold Home Accents” featuring your chartreuse cushions, vases, and lamps alongside inspiration shots. This makes your products feel part of a bigger story.
Ready to Make Trends Work for You?
You’ve nailed your social strategy and seasonal campaigns—but what about PR? If you want to keep your brand visible and make the most of trend-driven media opportunities, Flaunter is your secret weapon.
Think of Flaunter as your digital PR assistant and all-in-one platform, putting your brand assets right where journalists, editors, and creators are already looking. Upload your imagery, product details, and press-ready content so media can discover and download everything they need—no endless email chains required.
With features like digital showrooms, sample management, trend tagging, curated mood boards, and analytics, Flaunter makes PR simple, scalable, and stress-free. While you focus on creating beautiful products, Flaunter keeps your brand ready for coverage—always on, always discoverable.
Not on Flaunter yet? Sign up for a 2-week free trial or reach out to our team at hello@flaunter.com to book a complimentary discovery call.