The Fringe Top Is The Trend of Summer 2026 — Here's What to Buy & How to Wear It

By Ella Blake — Senior Fashion Stylist & Founder | Tellar · Always honest, unbiased & unsponsored

The fringe top is officially the breakout trend of summer 2026 — and if you haven't bought one yet, now is absolutely the time, because the good ones are already going fast.

"Fringe surged 93% across New York Fashion Week for SS26. It was the single most dominant embellishment on the runway — and it's landed on the high street in a big way."

I'll be honest — when I first started seeing fringe creeping back onto the runways earlier this year, I was slightly sceptical. We've been there before, haven't we? The boho festival fringe of the mid-2010s, the slightly-too-much tassel situations at Coachella. I've styled clients out of some truly dire fringe decisions. But this time? This is genuinely different, and I was completely won over the moment I saw what Matthieu Blazy did in his Chanel debut — razor-fine fringe tracing a bias-cut silhouette, precise and architectural. Nothing about it said "festival field." It said gallery opening.

That is the fringe of 2026. Intentional. Sharp. Surprisingly wearable. And the top is where it's landing most brilliantly on the UK high street right now — so let me take you through exactly what to buy and how to style it.

Why Is Fringe So Big Right Now?

The runway was unanimous on this one — which is rare. From Chanel and Bottega Veneta to Alaïa, Loewe, and Calvin Klein, practically every major house sent some form of fringe down the runway for spring/summer 2026. Tagwalk reported a 93% surge in fringe at NYFW alone. Lyst linked it to the broader "2010s revival" wave, which also explains why it feels simultaneously nostalgic and completely fresh.

Trend context: Pieter Mulier at Alaïa did fringe leg-warmers that read as sleek trousers at a distance. Michael Kors trimmed waistcoats and leather skirts in fringe as part of his "texture vocabulary." Roksanda put it on blazers and trench coats at LFW. Calvin Klein's new creative director softened the brand's classic minimalism with delicate fringe details. The message from designers couldn't be clearer — fringe is grown up, modern, and here to stay for the season.

What's changed is the fringe itself. It's no longer chunky, chaotic, or boho-coded. The 2026 version is sleeker — silk threads, fine metallic strands, deliberately placed at hems and cuffs and necklines. It moves beautifully, it catches the light, and on a simple top, it does all of the styling work for you.

The Different Types of Fringe Top to Know

Not all fringe tops are created equal, and knowing which silhouette suits you makes all the difference. Here's my breakdown:

The halter fringe top: The most statement-making option — fringe falls from the neckline or hem, often in a tiered effect. Brilliant for a night out, looks incredible with wide-leg trousers. This is the one I'd spend slightly more on, because the quality of the fringe strands really matters.
The fringed hem top: A more wearable entry point — a simple tank, camisole, or fitted tee with a fringe trim along the hem. Easy to style, works with jeans, goes daytime to evening. The one I'd buy in multiples.
The all-over fringe top: Maximum drama. Usually a going-out top or occasion piece. Wear it once to a wedding or birthday dinner and you'll get asked about it for years. Not an everyday buy, but worth having one in your wardrobe.
The fringed camisole or slip-style top: The most versatile option — delicate fringe at the straps or hem gives a satin or silk-look cami a serious upgrade. Wear alone or under a blazer for that sleek runway interpretation.

Where to Buy: The Best Fringe Tops Right Now

I've done the scrolling so you don't have to. These are the brands genuinely delivering on the trend this summer, at every budget.

High Street Picks — 2026's Best Fringe Tops:

Zara — Zara has arguably gone hardest on fringe this season. Their halter fringe tops, going-out tops and even fringed yoke pieces are already getting attention from fashion editors. The styling is exactly right — sleek, precise, not overdone. The mauve halter top in particular is getting a lot of press. Move quickly — Zara fringe pieces are selling out fast.
Mango — Mango is quietly doing some of the most refined fringe on the high street right now. Their take tends toward the sophisticated end — think fringed camisoles and sleek going-out tops with fine tassel hems rather than full-on festival fringe. Brilliant quality for the price and genuinely great pieces.
ASOS — The breadth here is unbeatable. ASOS has fringe tops for every aesthetic and every budget, from delicate satin camisoles with fringed hems through to all-over fringe party tops. Use the filters well — search specifically for "fringe top" rather than browsing casualwear generally and you'll find the good stuff quickly.
Topshop (via ASOS) — Topshop's comeback has been strong and their going-out and occasion tops are consistently on-point. For fringe, they're delivering the kind of slightly-edgier take that works brilliantly styled back with tailored trousers or a sleek mini skirt.
River Island — River Island always does going-out tops well, and this season's fringe offerings are no exception. Look for their fringed corset-style tops and embellished camisoles — brilliant for a night out and great value.
All Saints — If you want the grown-up, darker interpretation of the fringe top trend — think fine silk-like fringe in black, tan, or deep burgundy — All Saints is your brand. Their version is less party, more art-gallery-opening, and it's beautifully made.
Anthropologie — Anthropologie is doing particularly lovely fringe this season, with a more considered, slightly boho-meets-modern aesthetic. Their linen and cotton fringe tops are perfect for holiday, and the quality of the fringe detail is a cut above most high street options. Worth the slightly higher price point.
Urban Outfitters — For a more playful, relaxed take on the trend, Urban Outfitters is delivering fringe tops with great energy. Less sleek, more fun — brilliant if you're younger or just want to lean into the trend without it feeling too "done."

Premium Picks:

Reiss — For a sleek, understated fringe top that will genuinely last beyond the season, Reiss is where I'd spend a bit more. Their interpretation of the trend is precise and grown-up, without sacrificing any of the movement and interest that makes fringe so good. Classic Reiss — impeccably cut, impeccably considered.
Me&Em — Me&Em has been quietly doing beautiful texture-led pieces for a few seasons now, and their fringe offerings this summer are genuinely elegant. The silk-jersey mix they use for their camisoles and tops means fringe moves beautifully on the body. A worthwhile investment if you want something that looks expensive and wears like it too.

Luxury / Designer Picks:

Givenchy — The house sent extraordinary tassel and fringe detailing down the runway and the RTW collection has pieces with that same directional energy. A Givenchy fringe top is genuinely a piece you'll wear for years — the quality of the fringe construction is in another league entirely.
Self-Portrait — For a special occasion where you want the full impact of the fringe trend without going full evening gown, Self-Portrait's fringed tops and co-ords are sublime. Beautifully made, brilliantly thought through, and the kind of thing that photographs spectacularly.

Independent Niche Picks:

Never Fully Dressed — This London-based independent label has been a brilliant source for bold, personality-led tops for years, and their take on fringe this season is full of joy. Colourful, confident, and completely on-trend without being slavishly runway. One of my favourite independent brands for statement occasion pieces.
Realisation Par — The Australian-founded, London-loved brand doing dreamy silk and satin pieces that now include fringe-trimmed camisoles and slip tops. If you want something that looks like a luxury designer piece at less than a quarter of the price, Realisation Par is the answer. The fringe quality is outstanding for the price point.

How to Style a Fringe Top — My Stylist's Rules

This is where I see people go wrong — they over-style fringe, or under-style it, and in both cases the top ends up looking like a costume rather than an outfit. Here's how I'd approach it:

Keep the bottom half clean and simple. The fringe top is doing the work — your jeans, trousers, or skirt should be relatively quiet. A straight-leg dark denim or a tailored wide-leg trouser alongside a fringe halter top is one of the best outfits I've put together this season. No competition for attention, no clash of textures.
Tuck it in, or half-tuck it. A fringed hem top with a full tuck into a high-waisted skirt or trouser looks intentional and put-together. A half-tuck into jeans looks effortless and current. Both work — what doesn't work is wearing it loose and un-tucked over wide-leg trousers. Everything gets lost.
Go monochrome for maximum impact. A black fringe top with black tailored trousers and black strappy heels is genuinely one of the sharpest outfits you can put together this summer. Fringe catches the light and creates movement — when the rest of the palette is uniform, it looks seriously good.
Don't double up on movement. Fringe with a floaty midi skirt, fringe with wide-leg palazzo trousers — avoid combining two pieces that move a lot. Ground the fringe with something structured below.
For daytime: A fine fringed-hem camisole with straight-leg jeans, white trainers, and a slouchy blazer thrown over the top is genuinely one of the outfits of the summer. Smart enough for lunch, cool enough for a gallery, easy enough for everyday.
For evening: Lean into the drama. A halter fringe top with a sleek satin bias-cut skirt and strappy kitten heels. Or a fringed going-out top, tailored trousers, and pointed flats. Simple, confident, completely on-point.

The One Mistake to Avoid

I'll say this clearly because I've seen it repeatedly: do not wear a fringe top with other statement pieces competing for attention. No bold print scarf, no heavily embellished bag, no statement earrings fighting the fringe. The fringe IS the jewellery. Let it be. A simple gold hoop or a delicate chain is all you need — anything more and the whole look collapses into noise. Confident dressing is knowing when to edit.

The fringe top is one of those rare trend pieces that actually has legs beyond a single season — I can already see the autumn/winter interpretation in my head (velvet fringe, anyone?). Buy one you genuinely love now, wear it all summer, and you'll still be reaching for it come September.

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