Style observations 2026 / Delicate gestures as an antidote
I am here for the SS26 fashion.
Romance returned to the runways with a quiet insistence: delicate layers, whisper-thin fabrics and artful draping define this season. Designers are leaning into vintage references and curated boudoir sensibilities, reworking corsetry, slip silhouettes and chiffons into modern wardrobes that feel both intimate and staged.
One of the brands that captures this very well is Dôen. Founded by two sisters the designs evoke a sense of effortless grace with flowered patterns, delicate fabrics and heirloom inspired accessories. I have a few of their peach sorbet silk-laced pieces, which catch the light in the most beautiful way.
What could be the reason for fashion’s love letter to the delicate, ethereal and feminine?
What I see in my own public life (by which I mean my work-life, social-life, third-space-life etc.) is an incredible amount of change/transformation with which comes precariousness and unpredictability. A multitude of challenges require even amounts of complex interaction and problem solving. Alongside real-life challenges, there is an enormous amount of news and information to digest - this is not new, however I do believe the intensity level at which it is coming our way is heightened spectacularly. Likewise, participation is not an option anymore, as living outside these digital savvy realms many times means social exclusion and even economic downfall.
This forms a necessary bridge to the integration of AI into our lives, be it via a search engine, as a writing tool or work-copilot or as an adversary: replacing jobs and skills carefully built over the years. AI is full of promise and is attractive in its ability to perform tasks less desirable to us. At the same time it is a creature we can not fully grasp or control and cannot escape entirely - even if we do not participate ourselves.
All this forceful, high contrast technology-driven change leaves us longing for its antidote: soft edges, freedom, unconstrained grace and tenderness. With the imaginative as centerfold, avoidance of rigidity and a longing for freedom are birthed. Alongside freedom, I would even suggest the ethereal tendency represents an angst to lose what is dear to us: uniquely human-centered craftsmanship, discernment and ideas that come from epiphany moments, serendipity, magic and wonder that can only manifest within human experience and through human connection. After all, a high quality prompt starts with a human-centered idea, inclination and propensity. The ethereal then is simultaneously an attempt to hold on to what is dear to us, and to break free from the constraints of everyday conformism and technological subjugation.
Delicate gestures in fashion silks, organza, embroidered objects, lace, gold foil, silk screen prints and lacquer. (Sources: Jennifer Behr, Anninadesign, Dôen, Choosing keeping stationery, Bernadette Antwerp, Pinterest).
Another thing we could highlight is the love for Asian influences in this regard. Chinoiserie patterns and lacquered objects are not only seen in fashion, but also in stationary. The high demand for example for luxurious, handmade Japanese notebooks and carefully curated commonplace practices fit into this trend of personal curation and slow-paced, imaginative DIY.
The mood set for SS26 is affirmingly graceful rather than flashy. Soft sheens, tonal lace and translucent overlays create a dreamlike effect that move with the body instead of loudly announcing itself. Accessories and tailoring are considered instead of excessive: a single antique or organza brooch, a cinched waist, a silk scarf or handmade flower earrings. Placement is intentional, completing an outfit that reads like a personal memory of some kind, instead of as a mass-produced fast fashion statement. Clothes are intricately embellished with fabrics and textures layered to create an attire akin to a personal cabinet of curiosity. I especially love the embroidered vintage coats that are having their own moment, and these silk kimono clutches.
Delicate gestures in fashion silks, organza, embroidered objects, lace, gold foil, silk screen prints and lacquer. (Sources: Jennifer Behr, Bernadette Antwerp, Pinterest).
This revival of heirloom inspired fashion is less about costume and practicality and more about craft, atmosphere and emotion. Rejecting minimalism - however not transforming into its opposite (bold, vivacious). The designs are an unapologetic gesture to the personal, private and curated. Garments are layered to suggest depth and history, as if each piece has been collected and revered. Fabrics are chosen for how they fall and catch light (satin, featherlight tulle, organza and brushed silk) to create silhouettes that float. On runways and in editorials alike, there’s a turn toward clothing that feels like an heirloom - intimate, refined, and quietly enchanting. The overall sensibility is romantic in the literal sense: it prioritizes feeling, softness, and a subdued theatricality that invites closeness and an eye for detail. Bernadette’s upcoming AW26 offers a glimpse of this continued love affair with a romanticized daily life. They also make the most beautiful peignoirs.
There is power in softness. Not all that is loud is worthy of our attention. The challenge might be to intentionally (re)direct our attention towards the things that bring beauty to our everyday lives and be more mindful of what we consume, how we interact with the world around us and how we curate our private lives. Third spaces that encourage connection and contemplation of this kind should be treasured.
Promisingly, the focus on everyday beauty curation will continue throughout 2026.
I will be here for AW26.
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