Reading the World’s Runways for Autumn/Winter 2026 | The Return of the Skirt Suit and a Season of “Wearing a Story”

Information current as of September 2, 2026.

If we had to sum up the world’s fall/winter 2026 runways in one phrase, it would be “a season of wearing stories.” Looking across reports from major international fashion media, this season’s trends can broadly be organized into three themes.

1. The return of the skirt suit

The biggest topic this season is the revival of the ladylike skirt suit. Major maisons such as Tom Ford, The Row, Gucci, Celine and Hermès have each presented their own interpretations, and outfits that balance polish with femininity are gaining support worldwide.

2. A surge of checks

Centered on the Paris collections, many checked patterns including tartan and gingham appeared from brands such as Chloé, Burberry and Acne Studios. Bold styling that layers pattern over pattern is also being proposed, so this autumn may become a season to “not be afraid of patterns.”

3. Dark romance and the return of texture

Alongside the current of gothic romance shown by Alexander McQueen and others, there are abundant items that make an impression through texture, such as fur and shearling. At the same time, Western media are also giving noticeable attention to voices calling for a return to long-wearable staples rather than chasing micro-trends. “Value worth keeping, rather than a fleeting trend” — this idea overlaps with Value Village’s own belief in “choosing things whose quality you understand once you use them.”

Trends are not something to chase, but a map for choosing. On this shelf, we translate the “now” of global runways and streets through the lens of life in Japan.

Source: Compiled by the editorial team based on fall/winter 2026 collection reports from major international fashion media outlets.