Spring/Summer 2026 Fashion Trends: Preppy Classics, Bold Colors and the Return of Accessories
As the days lengthen and warmer weather approaches, fashion enthusiasts are eager to refresh their wardrobes. The Arnotts Spring/Summer 2026 season launch showcased a blend of enduring styles and emerging trends, emphasizing polished looks that combine preppy aesthetics with vintage influences.
Preppy Style Gets a Relaxed Update
Preppiness, drawing inspiration from 1990s minimalism and American classics, is a dominant theme for the season. Sweater vests and flowing skirts from brands like Polo Ralph Lauren and Gant embody a sense of relaxed leisurewear. According to Tracey Despard, Head of Fashion Buying at Arnotts, this iteration of preppiness is more approachable than previous versions. “It’s fresh, but it’s really sort of evolved in terms of how you might have thought about preppiness beforehand,” Despard stated. “It’s a lot more relaxed, there’s a lot more colour.”
Color Takes Center Stage
While floral prints are less prominent, their vibrant hues are making a statement. Shades of baby blue, seen in dresses from Elliatt, and pink, as well featured in Elliatt’s designs, are particularly noteworthy. Pattern also plays a key role, with GANNI’s black and white polka dot pieces and leopard print designs – including a sheer midi dress and vinyl coat – gaining attention.
Accessories Make a Comeback
Irish fashion influencer Ciara Doherty predicts that “polka dots are set to be huge for spring/summer.” Beyond clothing, accessories are poised for a revival. Celebrity stylist Corina Gaffey highlighted the practicality of GANNI’s vinyl leopard print coat, noting its potential to withstand rainy weather. Despard emphasized the resurgence of silk scarves as a key accessory. “I absolutely think this is the season that we’ve rediscovered our love [for] silk scarves and silk squares,” she said. “It’s a really great way that, if you’re like me and you do kind of deviate towards a more neutral palette, you can just bring that pop of colour in through a great silk scarf.” She suggested pairing a silk scarf with a simple white t-shirt, jeans, and loafers for an effortless look.
Brooches, recently popular in menswear red carpet trends, are also gaining traction as a vintage-inspired accessory.
Menswear: A Blend of High Fashion and Street Style
The menswear landscape is characterized by a fusion of high fashion and street style. Creative director and stylist Lawson Mpame, fresh from Pitti Uomo in Florence, observed an “overlap” between these two worlds. He described seeing oversized, vintage-style suits paired with bomber jackets or fur coats, often worn with bare chests or statement accessories.
At the Arnotts launch, elegant suits from Boggi Milano were presented as ideal for summer weddings, alongside relaxed and vibrant pieces from Deus Ex Machina.
Dublin’s Rising Fashion Scene
Mpame also commented on the growing fashion scene in Dublin, stating, “I have to say, we are on the map.” He noted a significant improvement in men’s fashion in the city, adding, “Before it just used to be the women, but now they’re catching up!”
Embrace Color and Individuality
Mpame, dressed in a cream corduroy suit with a dusky rose top, encouraged embracing color in wardrobes. “Don’t be afraid to try colour,” he said. “I wear colours to brighten up my day, even on days when it is cloudy, those are the most vital days when we should actually wear the colour because it actually boosts your mood, scientifically.”
Despard echoed the importance of individuality, noting that while runway shows provide inspiration, it’s how individuals interpret and personalize those trends that truly matters. “What you see at the show – it’s gorgeous and so inspirational, but it’s what you’re seeing in terms of the people attending the shows and how they’re taking those trends and making them their own in a real kind of individual way.”