Spring Fashion Trends Go Retro
DESIblitz predicted funnel necks, dopamine brights, and more UK-wide trends for Spring 2026. Retro Era Vibes forecasted 90s slips and 80s blazers for vintage lovers, while street style highlights included backless midis and square-neck denim midis as "it-items" with slim-fit cuts. Vogue distilled five beauty trends from London Fashion Week FW26, including bold makeup looks and innovative hair styling emphasizing individuality and experimentation.
The funnel neck's revival has deep roots, tracing back to 1950s couturiers like Cristóbal Balenciaga and Hubert de Givenchy. Its modern resurgence was ignited by Phoebe Philo's 2023 brand launch, with designers like Proenza Schouler and Gucci quickly incorporating the face-framing silhouette into their runway collections. "Dopamine dressing" is a direct psychological counterpoint to years of minimalism, using vibrant color to evoke optimism and joy. Pinterest's 2026 palette predicts a surge in hues like "Persimmon" and "Cool Blue," as consumers reportedly seek colors with "emotional utility" to feel grounded and hopeful. The 90s slip dress first gained prominence as part of the "underwear-as-outerwear" movement, championed by supermodels like Kate Moss and designers such as Calvin Klein. One of its most iconic moments came in 1996 when Princess Diana wore a lace-trimmed Dior slip dress designed by John Galliano. The return of the 80s blazer marks a shift away from oversized fits toward more structured, tailored silhouettes with pronounced shoulders. This "power dressing" staple, popularized by TV shows like *Dynasty* and designers like Yves Saint Laurent, was originally designed to accentuate the frame and project an image of success. On the beauty front, London Fashion Week championed "considered maximalism." Makeup artist Zoe Taylor created an "oil painting" skin effect at the Completed Works show using multiple shades of cream blush, while other designers featured "structural glass skin" for a high-shine, flawless look. Hair styling saw a departure from polished looks, with undone, "bed head" textures appearing on the runways for Simone Rocha and Collina Strada. This embrace of frizzy, tousled, and haphazardly styled hair emphasizes a more rebellious and individualistic approach to beauty.
