French Fashionistas Reveal 2026 Trend Forecast: What's In and What's Out

As the fashion world gears up for 2026, a select group of French style mavens have weighed in on the trends they're embracing and those they're leaving behind. Their insights offer a unique perspective on navigating the ever-evolving landscape of style, focusing on personal expression and timeless appeal.

Key Takeaways

• High-vamp heels are in, while statement colors are out.

• Prep-inspired aesthetics are favored over overly revealing styles.

• Ripped jeans are making a comeback, replacing slim-fit denim.

• Art deco influences and fringe details are trending.

• Statement hats are embraced, while polka dots are deemed overdone.

Embracing the New Year's Style

French women are approaching 2026 with a discerning eye for trends, prioritizing pieces that offer longevity and personal resonance. Stylist Loïcka Grâce champions high-vamp heels for their sharp, timeless elegance, while politely declining the fleeting nature of statement colors, particularly royal purple, opting instead for versatile neutrals.

Content creator Olivia Anani is drawn to the "gone bourgeois" and "A+ prep" aesthetics, blending modern elegance with clean sophistication. She's skipping the "sexually explicit" trend, finding it misaligned with her personal style. Similarly, content creator Mina Habchi is adopting ripped jeans for their effortless cool, while bidding farewell to restrictive slim jeans.

Art Deco, Prep, and Personal Style

Delfina Rodriguez, a stylist, is embracing art deco fringe for its bohemian charm, contrasting with saturated colors which she finds challenging to wear. Sarah Ndiaye, a content creator, is all about statement hats, from caps to berets, to add personality, but is passing on polka dots, which she feels have lost their freshness.

Lucy Alston, a stylist and content creator, advocates for shopping one's existing wardrobe and reinterpreting pieces. She favors the "old money" styling seen at Celine, while skipping saturated colors and color clashing. Salomé Mory, an art director and model, is leaning into "experimental maximalism" and rejecting "overdone minimalism," seeking freedom to experiment rather than rigidly follow trends.

Layering, Color, and Timelessness

Ellie Delphine, a content creator, is adopting "advanced layers" for their ability to make an outfit interesting and intentional, while skipping mini handbags in favor of practical, larger totes. Léna Farouil, a content creator, is embracing a modern-preppy aesthetic, characterized by timeless, investment-driven pieces, and is skipping sheer dressing.

Alizée Cailliau, a fashion and lifestyle content creator, finds inspiration in personal discoveries and expressive color pairings, rather than blindly following trends. Violette Tannenbaum, a content creator, continues to embrace layering for its versatility and creative potential, while skipping bold colors in favor of neutrals.

Individuality and Nostalgia

Huda Durrani, an actress and creative, resonates with feminine, bourgeois styles influenced by art deco, incorporating touches of leather for an edge, while avoiding loud prints. Anne-Laure Mais, creative director, loves the elegance of draping but will skip dramatic silhouettes. Anoushka Nmak, a content creator, focuses on timeless pieces like faux-fur and embraces softer color combos, while skipping flashy colors and skinny jeans.

Rose Doll, a content creator, is excited to wear more patterns like plaid and colorful accessories, but wants to leave polka dots behind. Andrea Mun, a content creator, hopes for the return of matching sets, finding them elegant and easy, while skipping advanced layering for its complexity.

Sources

• 16 French Women on the 2026 Trends They'll Be Trying (and Skipping), Who What Wear.