Autumn Trends 26 to Inspire Your Sewing

Wow, where’s the time gone? I can’t believe we’re moving into a new season, and it’s time for another of these biannual blog posts (I know, I say that every time 🙂 ). Anyhoo, today I’m looking at Autumn trends 26 to inspire your sewing projects as we move to the cooler/colder months and by the time I finish compiling these posts, I’m brimming with ideas and plans, so I hope you will be too after you’ve read it. So grab a drink and find somewhere comfy to relax, and let’s get started…

PS. If you’re about to head into the Spring and Summer in the Southern Hemisphere, here’s some inspiration for you

Overview

The runways featured a lot of beautiful tailoring from many designers, and equally, a lot of maximalist looks with creative layering. Sculptural proportions and big shoulders cropped up often. Individual touches came from opulent jewellery, hats, and gloves. Different textures seemed to be mixed freely, like velvet, tweed, embroidered fabrics and sheer layers.

There were more skirts than I expected, many of them very full or with asymmetrical silhouettes. I spotted big collars on coats quite a lot, particularly funnel necklines, and lots of peplum details on jacket waistlines too. There were also many blouson-type jackets. Dresses with a 20s vibe featured in some designers’ shows, highlighting an Art Deco influence… dropped waists were popular.

Being a die-hard trouser/jeans wearer, one thing I noticed was that although wide slouchy trousers were featured a lot, alongside barrel leg shapes, there weren’t so many wide jeans. Instead, the jeans were dead straight and quite narrow. Closer-fit cigarette-style trousers were seen down many runways too. In fact, there were more bodycon looks than previous seasons; many included tight roll-neck tops. It was interesting to see this subtle shift from last year, although there were still many oversized looks around too.

Pantone Fashion Colours For Autumn 26

When I was browsing runway images, I noticed a lot of grey and a lot of black. Some designers did entire collections in those shades. Navy was seen a fair bit, and brown is still around but not as much as in previous seasons; a notable exception was Ralph Lauren, whose show was almost all brown. I’m not a fan of grey, and I only wear black occasionally on my lower half, so for neutrals I’ll be sticking to my brown, cream, olive, and camel, thanks 🙂

In the brighter shades, I saw some pops of pink, yellow and red. I tend to stick to colours that suit me, so whenever a colour that I like is more popular and trending, it means it’ll be widely available in fabric stores, so that’s the time to stock up 😉

Pantone, as usual, issued their report highlighting the trending colours which they monitor a year or two in advance, and this is their range for New York Fashion Week. I’m unable to source the colours for London yet, so I’ll update this post as soon as I have them.

The Big List Of Trends

I’ve trawled through and collected a big ‘ole list of various trends for Autumn 26. There’s quite a variety. Have a browse and see if anything appeals to you.

• Elevated biker jackets
• Heritage checks like the classic Prince of Wales check
• Ladylike, demure dressing.
• Art Deco-inspired shapes, prints and embellishments
• Proportions that seem playful and quirky
• Bodycon dressing.
• Romantic elements like lace collars, satin flounces, peplum ruffles. Often paired with crisp tailoring or crisp shirts
• Heavily embellished fabrics with beading and embroidery.
• Classic tweed fabrics and ditsy florals for a country manor vibe.
• Coloured Denim
• Ruffled denim
• Denim dresses
• High necklines like roll necks or built-in scarves
• Funnel collars
• Boucle textures
• Houndstooth patterning
• Argyle knits
• Animal print (of course 😉 ) This year, snow leopard featured in some shows.
• Winter bohemian. Think ruffled layered skirts paired with fine checked jackets
• Sheer layers
• Skirt suits
• The quiet luxury trend is still around but not as prevalent.
• Gothic-inspired styling… velvet, lace, leather. Mostly in black or burgundy
• Military elements are still around, mostly in short fitted jackets.
• Dark romantic florals
• Faux fur (as always)
• Gold materials
• Chainmail-type fabric appeared in a few shows.
• Statement skirts worn with simple or more classic tops/jackets
• Big shoulders
• Very straight, very dark jeans

Accessories Trends

• Round wire-framed sunglasses and glasses
• Unfussy, sleek clutch bags
• Shoes with embellishments like beads and embroidery
• Ornate earrings
• Classic leather gloves
• Slipper shoes…think mules and very flat soft slip-ons
• Kitten heels
• Animal print isn’t just for clothes; it’s now on many styles of shoes and boots.
• Lace-up shoes like the Derby or Oxford for a classic school vibe
• Classic knee-high boots
• Neckties
• Hip and waist belts worn at the same time

Runway Inspiration For Autumn 26

Here are some runway images to inspire you. And if I could justify making more coats for my lifestyle, I would be making ALL.THE.COATS…so many fabulous coat ideas. Enjoy!

To view more of the runway images from the designers mentioned below the collages, I recommend popping on to the Women’s Wear Daily website and heading to the runway tab. Go to the ready-to-wear collections in the drop-down to find all the designers there.

Sewing Pattern Examples

I’ve looked through some of my favourite pattern websites and found a few examples that emulate the silhouettes and details highlighted above. Most pattern companies bring out several new drops of designs as the new season gets going, though in some cases, I bet it’s easy to adapt existing patterns that you already have.

Vikisews Janelle: This one is so on-trend if you love a big skirt. I bet it would even work in denim or tweed for a totally different vibe.

Vikisews Delma: I spotted some high/low hemlines in the runway shows, and this full balloon-hem skirt has a slight back dip. It could be fun paired with a glam top if you’re going to a sewing Frocktails event in the upcoming months.

Vikisews Miletta: A great example of a peplum jacket.

Vikisews Avital: Classic military style like the Joanna Ortiz example in the second row of runway images.

Vikisews Shae This looks so cosy. I love the tab and belt deatails

Vikisews Vedis Another great bomber with utility pocket detailing.

McCalls 8654: A lovely example of a dropped-waist formal gown, or make the shorter length for a more versatile style.

Simplicity 3199: Classic straight-leg trouser.

Simplicity 3196: This is such a nice funnel neck style.

Vogue 2075: A versatile winter coat

Vogue 2180 Sheer layers.

Vogue 2090: I like the slight high/low deep-faced hem on this blouse.

Vogue 1909: A statement flared top that has a similar silhouette to the McQueen chainmail top in the runway images above

Burdastyle 3B Easy Style 02/26: A very simple drop-waist design

Burdastyle 115 04/26: A nice combination of pintucks and peplum by Burdastyle

If you’ve made it this far, thank you! I hope you enjoyed the inspiration that I served up today. As I aways say though, just pick and choose the bits that you like, stay true to yourself and dont feel as though you have to jump on every new trend. I just enjoy seeing which sihouettes might suit me, if there an embellishment or a neckline I like, colour combinations that I could try, etc. etc.

Did you see anything that you might try? A colour that you like? Let me know in the comments.

Meanwhile I’m planning some new makes and putting away my hot weather clothes.

See you soon!