This season, Fall/Winter fashion proved that you can remain extremely stylish and stand out while staying warm.
The Fall/Winter Fashion week season is always a little bit peculiar for me simply because there’s practically no winter in Nigeria. I felt is once again while watching the Fall/Winter 2026 shows. The closest we get to a real “chill” in the air is during harmattan — and even that seems to be absent for us lately. Many Nigerians are out here begging for it to show up just so we can try out some of these looks and maybe get a break from the heat.
FW is the time when designers show off collections meant for cooler months: layered looks, warm fabrics, and cozy outerwear. Sure, the description doesn’t exactly fit our Nigerian weather, but fashion isn’t about following rules anyway. Fashion is always about expressing yourself and playing around with the rules. Want to rock a two-meter fur coat on a sunny Monday morning? Go for it. Just don’t forget your water bottle and probably a mini portable air conditioner.
Although there’s no winter here, the FW season still teaches us plenty about style, layering, and how to dress smartly. So, without further ado, here are the major trends we spotted at NYFW FW26 — looks you’ll definitely want to try out for yourself.
Read also: Marie Claire Nigeria Trend Report: Paris Haute Couture Week Spring/Summer 2026
Brown is Best
Darker, richer tones dominated the runways this season, and among them, one colour stood out: brown. Deep chocolate, warm caramel and soft mocha were shades that appeared in countless variations across multiple collections.
Notably, Ralph Lauren leaned fully into the trend, presenting a collection that was almost entirely built around rich brown tones. Other brands such as Anna Sui also embraced the colour, while PatBO experimented with brown mixed into softer palettes like pink and blue. Sergio Hudson too, incorporated layered shades of brown into its collection, proving just how versatile the hue can be.
Wild about animal prints
There was a strong presence of animal prints across the runways this season showing how many houses tapped into this trend. Fall/Winter has always been synonymous with heavier dressing — think structured coats, statement jackets, and bold, commanding outerwear. This season, designers leaned fully into that drama, especially with animal print. Long associated with fur and luxe textures, animal print remains a signature outerwear choice, bringing both warmth and unapologetic flair to coats designed to stand out.
Leopard and cheetah patterns were popular, especially on fur coats that commanded attention. We saw this a lot at the Ralph Lauren and Kim Shui shows. But it didn’t stop with outerwear. Animal print also made their way onto scarves, dresses, and even coordinated sets. These could be seen at Carolina Herrera, Anna Sui and Sergio Hudson with their snake skin print pieces, proving the power of the trend.
Croc-skin textures also made their appearance at LaQuan Smith with other brands incorporating the texture into statement bags that added an edge and structure to their looks.
Lace, but make it Luxe
Lace made a strong impression this season, particularly among brands leaning into more daring, sensual themes. There was a noticeable embrace of softer, more romantic detailing. I couldn’t help but smile seeing the use of Chantilly lace on the runways.
While lace is hardly new to Fall/Winter collections, it felt prominent this time around. Chantilly lace, known for its lightweight feel and delicate net background, brings a sheer, refined elegance that sets it apart from heavier, more structured laces. Its intricate design adds a softness and contrasts the bold collections we’ve seen this season.
Brands like Prabal Gurung, Altuzarra and LaQuan Smith brought lace to the forefront in their collections balancing the delicate nature of the fabric with the image of a strong sensual model.
Read also: Marie Claire Nigeria Trend Report: Lagos Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026
Beauty in asymmetry
Asymmetric styles and finishing have been steadily climbing the trend ranks for a while now, and this season, they felt more noticeable. Designers leaned into unexpected cuts, uneven hems, and off-balance detailing that added movement and edge to classic silhouettes.
Rachel Scott, in her debut collection for Proenza Schouler embraced asymmetry boldly incorporating striking off-centre elements not just in the garments, but even in the makeup.
Other brands like Sandy Liang and Rachel Scott’s personal brand Diotima also featured asymmetric patterns and finishes throughout their collections. This reinforces the idea that clean lines don’t always have to be symmetrical to be sophisticated.
Necklaces for the drama
As always, accessories played their part on the runways — serving as the finishing touch that pulls an entire look together. This season, however, necklaces showed up bigger and bolder than usual. Think double the size, double the impact.
Many brands leaned into oversized statement necklaces to add an edge to their collections. Whether layered over structured tailoring or paired with softer silhouettes, the pieces brought contrast and attitude to the looks.
In 7 for All Mankind’s rich girl revival collection, there was a generous use of statement necklaces that felt nostalgic and very on theme. At Tory Burch and Campillo the necklaces were used to back up monochrome looks and complement dramatic textures.
Wrapping up NYFW Fall/Winter 2026
FW26 proved that this season is all about bold choices and elevated style — even for those of us not living in a winter wonderland.
Although I might not be layering for a true winter, I found so many ideas to play with for my Lagos looks — mixing textures, experimenting with shapes, and adding little statement touches that could pull any outfit together. Whether you’re dressing for harmattan or just taking inspiration for your next outfit, this season offered plenty of ideas to mix, match, and make your wardrobe your own.
The shows, collections and designers reminded us once again that during Fall/Winter periods, you can still be creative and stylish without limitations. FW26 wasn’t just about what designers put on the runway — it was a reminder that fashion is about expressing yourself, having fun, and feeling confident in what you wear. And honestly? I’m already excited to start putting some of these trends into my own looks.
