Soft Tailoring 2026: Spring Summer Stylist Picks

As someone who's spent over a decade helping women navigate the ever-changing landscape of professional dressing, I can confidently say that 2026's soft tailoring trend is exactly what we need right now. This isn't your grandmother's rigid power suit – it's fluid, comfortable, and utterly chic. The trend represents a significant shift towards what industry experts are calling "liquid tailoring," where traditional suiting becomes more mobile and supple, crafted in flowing materials that maintain their sharp silhouette whilst offering unprecedented comfort.

What Exactly Is Soft Tailoring?

Soft tailoring takes the structure of classic menswear-inspired pieces and reimagines them with flowing, breathable fabrics and relaxed fits. Think oversized blazers in lightweight linen blends, wide-leg trousers that move like liquid silk, and waistcoats that feel more like sophisticated loungewear than formal attire. The magic lies in the fabric choices – ultralight materials, cotton-linen blends, and innovative stretch weaves that maintain their shape whilst offering freedom of movement.

The trend aligns perfectly with our collective desire for clothing that works as hard as we do. After years of rigid corporate dressing, we're embracing pieces that transition seamlessly from the boardroom to weekend brunches, from video calls to evening drinks.

Key Pieces for Your Soft Tailoring Wardrobe

The foundation of any soft tailoring wardrobe starts with a beautifully cut oversized blazer. Look for styles with gentle shoulder lines, longer lengths that hit mid-thigh, and fabrics that have a subtle texture or weave. Pair this with wide-leg trousers in matching or toning fabrics – the key is ensuring both pieces share the same relaxed, flowing aesthetic.

Waistcoats are having a major moment within this trend, offering a sophisticated layering option that works brilliantly over flowing shirts or fine knits. The modern interpretation features longer lengths, side slits for movement, and often incorporates subtle stretch for comfort.

Don't overlook the power of a well-cut shirt in this trend. The soft tailoring shirt is generous in its proportions, often featuring dropped shoulders, curved hems, and luxurious fabric choices like silk-cotton blends or lightweight chambray.

Colour Palette and Styling Tips

The Spring/Summer 2026 soft tailoring palette centres around sophisticated neutrals and muted tones. Think warm beiges, soft greys, sage greens, and dusty blues – colours that speak to the trend's connection with nature and sustainability. These earthy, calming tones work beautifully together and create endless mixing and matching opportunities.

For styling, embrace the art of relaxed layering. A flowing waistcoat over a silk camisole with wide-leg linen trousers creates an effortlessly chic look that's perfect for warm weather. Add delicate gold jewellery and leather loafers for a complete ensemble that's both professional and comfortable.

High Street Heroes

COS leads the charge with their minimalist approach to soft tailoring, offering beautifully cut blazers and trousers in premium fabrics at accessible prices. Their architectural silhouettes perfectly capture the trend's sophisticated ease.

Zara consistently delivers on-trend soft tailoring pieces with their signature contemporary edge. Look for their flowing blazers in textured weaves and matching wide-leg trouser sets that offer incredible value for money.

Mango excels at creating affordable luxury through their soft tailoring collection, featuring elegant waistcoats and relaxed suiting in beautiful neutral tones that rival designer pieces.

Whistles brings their British sophistication to the trend with impeccably tailored pieces that blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary silhouettes. Their linen blazers are particularly noteworthy.

Jigsaw offers considered design with their soft tailoring range, focusing on quality fabrics and thoughtful details that elevate each piece beyond basic workwear.

Reiss delivers premium soft tailoring with their signature attention to fit and finish. Their flowing trouser suits represent the perfect intersection of comfort and sophistication.

French Connection brings their unique design perspective to soft tailoring with pieces that feel fresh and contemporary whilst maintaining professional polish.

ASOS offers an incredible range of soft tailoring options from their own label and carefully curated brands, making the trend accessible to every budget and style preference.

Premium Picks

For those seeking elevated versions of the trend, Theory creates beautiful soft tailoring pieces in luxurious fabrics with impeccable construction. Their commitment to quality means these pieces will remain wardrobe staples for years to come.

Eileen Fisher brings their sustainable ethos to soft tailoring with organic fabrics and timeless silhouettes that perfectly embody the trend's relaxed sophistication.

Luxury and Designer Options

At the luxury level, Brunello Cucinelli offers exquisite soft tailoring pieces crafted from the finest Italian fabrics. Their cashmere-blend blazers and flowing trousers represent the pinnacle of the trend.

The Row creates minimalist perfection with their soft tailoring collection, focusing on exceptional fabrics and flawless construction that justifies the investment.

Independent Discoveries

Arket offers Scandinavian-inspired soft tailoring with a focus on sustainability and timeless design. Their pieces feel fresh and modern whilst maintaining classic appeal.

Kotn brings ethical luxury to the trend with their beautifully crafted linen pieces and commitment to fair trade practices. Their flowing blazers and trousers offer conscious fashion without compromising on style.

How to Make Soft Tailoring Work for You

The beauty of soft tailoring lies in its versatility and inclusivity. The relaxed fits work beautifully on all body types, whilst the flowing fabrics create elegant silhouettes that are universally flattering. For petite frames, focus on proportions by choosing cropped blazers and ensuring trousers hit at the right length. Taller women can embrace the trend's full proportions with longer blazers and palazzo-style trousers.

Remember that fit is everything with soft tailoring. Whilst the pieces appear relaxed, they should still skim your body beautifully rather than overwhelming your frame. The shoulders should sit correctly, even on oversized blazers, and trouser lengths should be considered carefully to maintain the elegant proportions that make this trend so appealing.

Discover Perfect Fit with tellar.co.uk

Finding the right size in soft tailoring pieces can be tricky with their relaxed proportions and flowing fabrics. That's where tellar.co.uk becomes invaluable – the UK's leading sizing tool that matches your body exactly to over 1500 brands instantly, so you never need to look at a size guide again!

How Tellar Works

1. Measure once using your bust, waist, hip, or existing brand size.

2. Use their tellar.co.uk

Soft tailoring represents more than just a fashion trend – it's a response to our changing relationship with professional dressing and our desire for clothing that supports rather than restricts our busy lives. As we move into Spring/Summer 2026, these flowing, comfortable pieces offer the perfect solution for women who refuse to choose between style and comfort. Embrace the trend, invest in quality pieces that speak to your personal style, and enjoy the confidence that comes from wearing clothing that truly works for your lifestyle.