Honest & Unsponsored Best Buys: Fashion Trends for Winter 2026

Winter 2026 is shaping up to be a season of transformative elegance, where plush textures meet earthy sophistication and bold colours command attention—think rich chocolate browns, statement teals, and luxurious faux fur everywhere you look. After spending years analysing runway shows and working with clients to build capsule wardrobes that actually work, I can tell you this season offers something genuinely exciting: a move away from overly polished minimalism towards lived-in luxury that feels both indulgent and wearable.

The Colour Revolution: Transformative Teal & Cocoa Powder

Let's talk colour first, because it's driving everything this season. Transformative Teal—WGSN's Colour of the Year for 2026—is a gorgeous blue-green fusion that's already dominated the runways at Elie Saab, Jil Sander, and Cos. It's cooling, calming, and incredibly versatile. Pair it with cream neutrals for daytime sophistication or rich browns for evening drama.

Speaking of browns, Cocoa Powder is the rich, red-toned chocolate shade that's replacing basic black as your go-to dark. I'm seeing it head-to-toe at Lacoste, Versace, and Dries Van Noten. For high street options, Massimo Dutti does exceptional tailoring in this shade—their wool blend trousers and structured blazers capture that premium feel without the designer price tag. Zara always nails the trends quickly, and their faux leather pieces in cocoa tones are selling out fast. For something more refined, Reiss offers beautifully cut coats and knitwear in these earthy browns that'll last for years.

Faux Fur: The Undisputed Hero

If there's one trend dominating winter 2026, it's faux fur. We're talking floor-length coats, cropped jackets, fluffy accessories—it's absolutely everywhere. Gucci, Simone Rocha, and Stella McCartney have all championed this trend, and the high street has responded brilliantly.

Mango is my top pick for affordable faux fur—their teddy coats in brown and cream are incredibly soft and well-constructed. Whistles offers more structured faux fur jackets that work for both day and evening. All Saints brings an edgier take with cropped styles perfect for layering. For premium options, Max Mara creates investment pieces that'll be in your wardrobe for a decade. At the luxury end, Stella McCartney remains the gold standard for sustainable, beautifully crafted faux fur that never compromises on ethics or style.

The New Silhouettes: Oversized & Lived-In

This season rejects overly structured perfection. We're embracing oversized knitwear, voluminous coats, and balloon skirts that move with you. The vibe is "rich woman who dressed effortlessly"—think slightly off-shoulder silk dresses and chunky knits paired with sleek trousers.

Cos excels at this aesthetic with their minimalist oversized jumpers and sculptural coats. Arket (sister brand to Cos) offers brilliant quality basics in oversized silhouettes. Jigsaw creates beautiful balloon-sleeve knits and relaxed tailoring that feels modern and comfortable. For independent finds, Kitri is a London-based brand doing gorgeous oversized blazers and statement knitwear with a playful edge, whilst Rixo brings vintage-inspired balloon skirts and flowing dresses with personality.

Leopard Print & Gothic Influences

Leopard print has roared back for winter 2026, but we're styling it differently now—more sophisticated, less costume-y. Saint Laurent, Fendi, and Roberto Cavalli showed us how to wear it with intention.

H&M offers brilliant leopard print midi skirts and blouses at accessible prices. Boden does a more refined take with cashmere blend jumpers featuring subtle leopard patterns. For premium, Ganni brings Danish cool to the trend with unexpected silhouettes. Meanwhile, the gothic aesthetic is influencing everything from oversized collars to darker colour palettes—look to Me&Em for their beautiful high-neck blouses with dramatic collars.

The Footwear Edit: Knee-High Boots & School Shoes

Two distinct footwear trends are defining this season. Knee-high boots in leather and suede are everywhere—Prada and Miu Miu showed them with everything from flowing gowns to preppy skirts. LK Bennett creates timeless knee-high styles that work year after year. Hobbs offers excellent quality at mid-range prices.

The school shoe revival—think loafers, brogues, and Mary Janes—is surprisingly chic when paired with silk dresses or tailored suits. M&S does superb leather loafers at brilliant prices. For luxury, Church's offers investment brogues crafted in Northamptonshire.

Accessories: Slouchy Bags & Statement Pieces

Squishy, slouchy bags in soft leather and suede are replacing structured totes. The Row's Bindle and Loewe's Flamenco clutch led this trend. Aspinal of London creates beautiful soft leather bags with that luxe feel.

How Tellar Makes Shopping These Trends Effortless

Finding your perfect fit across all these incredible brands shouldn't be a headache. That's where Tellar.co.uk transforms your shopping experience. As the UK's leading sizing tool, Tellar instantly matches your body to over 1,500 brands—never waste time wrestling with size guides again!

Here's how it works: Measure once using your bust, waist, hip, or existing brand size. Then use their Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size in any brand—whether you're shopping Cos, Reiss, Arket, or any of the brands mentioned above. It's completely free, works in-browser with no downloads needed, and takes the guesswork out of online shopping.

Plus, explore the Tellar Fashion Hub—a library stacked with free posts from expert stylists. Honest. Unbiased. Independent. Always free. Get style advice, discover top picks, and find the best brands for your needs:

Final Styling Tips

Winter 2026 is about confident self-expression rather than following rules. Invest in a statement faux fur coat in brown or teal, a pair of knee-high boots, and oversized knitwear you'll live in. Mix textures—pair your chunky knit with sleek leather trousers, or your silk dress with brogues. Don't overthink it—this season rewards that perfectly imperfect, lived-in elegance that feels authentically you.

Remember, the best outfit is one that makes you feel incredible. Use Tellar to nail your sizing, invest in pieces you'll love for years, and embrace the transformative energy of winter 2026.