The spring/summer collections 2026 signaled a shake-up in the industry. The new energy was captured by the debuts of some of the most prestigious houses in the industry (Chanel Balenciaga Bottega Veneta to name a few). But nowhere was this more evident than the skirt department. This season, movement is the key, whether it’s in the form explosive silhouettes, dynamic textures or undulating skirts. The “personality skirt”, as Vogue calls it, is one of spring’s most popular trends. Take Louise Trotter, who debuted Bottega Veneta with swirling, anemone skirts made of recycled fibreglass fabrics. Trotter said that the skirts had “the feel of fur”, but moved “like a glass”. Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel debut was a riot of feathered floor-sweeping skirts and dancing flamenco ruffles. Pierpaolo Piccioli’s colourful debut at Balenciaga paid homage to the founding codes of the house with low-rise skirts that fluttered and twirled with metallic fringe. Chanel spring/summer 2020. Carlo ScarpatoBottega Veneta Spring/Summer 2026. The Alaia runway featured the waterfall skirt, 2026’s polished version of the Y2K handkerchief. It was characterized by cascading hemlines and layers. Prada’s taffeta bubble gum pink and lime-green crumpled hemlines, styled with utility coats and sleek pointed toe heels, are also sticking around for next season. This style has nothing to do the polyester babydolls you wore as a child (just me?) This is all about colour blocking separates that look as good in a beach bar or at the office.
