The upcoming Fall/Winter 2025-2026 season, showcased at the recently concluded Milan Fashion Week, revealed exciting trends poised to shape the fashion industry. From cozy shearling to bold woolen layering, this season is defined by its audacious yet sophisticated silhouettes. The event culminated on March 2, 2025, boasting collections from renowned names like Armani, Gucci, and Prada, all reflecting the complex interplay of heritage and innovation.
Among the outstanding trends, coats with belts emerged as pivotal, showcasing a significant increase of 191% on the runway. Designers like Daniela Gregis and Bally underscored this style by emphasizing the inclusion of belts to transform traditional outerwear. By integrating these chic details, they highlighted how accessories can redefine classic garments.
Comfort and warmth take precedence this season, with shearling jackets deemed indispensable. Seen prominently at shows by Max Mara and Ermanno Scervino, these jackets are paired with chic turtlenecks and elegant knee-high boots, embodying sophistication.
Significantly, the trend of eco-friendly fur is making waves, with usage soaring by 996% compared to the previous season. This shift reflects fashion's increasing consciousness about sustainability. Designers are embracing synthetic furs with extravagant designs, ranging from oversized monochromatic coats to playful yetis inspired patterns. The call to choose eco-fur only is clear as ethical values intertwine with style.
Pastel pink also made its presence felt on the Milan runways, heralding its return after several seasons. Its soft tones juxtaposed against more vibrant colors signifying diversity and choice for next winter.
Knitted sweaters promise bold statements as minimalism gives way to exuberance this season. Designers like Etro infused their collections with vibrant hues like green, yellow, and burgundy, shifting the wool knit’s narrative from understated to eye-catching. Moschino, meanwhile, introduced playful graphics, ensuring sweaters remain fun and lively, garnering attention as seasonal staples.
Moving from knitwear to bottoms, midi skirts are gaining popularity with a reported 93% increase on the runway, paving the way for elegance over the previously dominant mini. Brands like Prada and Fendi accentuated this style through innovative design, presenting pieces with varied textures, making skirts suitable for multiple settings.
Transparency as a trend also carries through to the collections, highlighting sensuality and boldness. Designers stretched the conventional boundaries of layering by incorporating sheer fabrics, allowing for creative mixes of bold choices and elegant details. This daring yet sophisticated approach adds depth to winter wardrobes.
The omnipresent color grey—particularly the innovative "greige"—dominated the collections, showcasing its versatility across materials. Designers like Ferragamo utilized rich jacquard silks and luxurious cashmeres to present outfits ranging from sharp suits to elegant evening wear. Richard Gere's styled pieces exemplified how grey can seamlessly blend sophistication with casual elegance.
Belts also continued to be prominent, with various iterations from Obi belts to metallic clasps seen across many collections. Their utility cannot be overstated, appearing in both formal and casual contexts, providing not just functionality but enhancing aesthetics. Both Tod's and Ferragamo showcased belts as structural elements within outfits, adding depth and intrigue to designs.
The boldness is not merely limited to outerwear and accessories; the layering of wool upon wool emerged as another significant trend. Various designers embraced this macro trend, showcasing outfits consisting entirely of coordinated wool garments. This style promotes continuity and fosters seamless layering capabilities for varying temperatures.
Jewelry came forth as another focal point during the Milan Fashion Week, with brands exploring artisanal and handcrafted pieces. Gentryportofino highlighted this craftsmanship, presenting collections intertwined with heritage designs, focusing on quality materials like wool, cashmere, and mohair. Their collaboration with artisan Laomi Scanavini brought jewelry to the forefront, elevatively intertwining contemporary style with classical roots.
Valextra boldly showcased its updated Milano model featuring plush suede and collaborated on the Iside model requiring extensive handiwork merging Indian craftsmanship with Italian artistry. Benedetta Bruzziches’ commitment to handmade quality shines through her collection, as she emphasizes the timeless essence of craftsmanship to enrich her pieces.
Balancing the past and future, the children's apparel brand Santoni celebrated 50 years of success at the Milan Fashion Week, highlighting craftsmanship within the footwear sector. Flower Mountain also marked its debut by releasing clothing lines influenced by nature, aligning with contemporary values focusing on sustainability and gender-neutral styles.
Meanwhile, Kristina Ti embraced femininity by reimagining lingerie with sleek materials like silk satin and lace, promising sophistication and elegance within intimate wear collections.
Returning to macro trends, the fashionable use of oversized faux furs recalls chic aesthetics of the 1980s. Various designers produced pieces reflective of playful experimentation with textures, from quilted to layered silhouettes. The rise of 3D floral designs also emerged, marrying traditional patterns with modern interpretations, as evident from creative outfits showcasing large blooming appliqués or floral motifs.
Finally, as Milan Fashion Week approached its conclusion, it solidified its reputation as a pinnacle of high fashion, drawing attention from global audiences eager to see how these trends would shape the coming winter season. Designers are not merely focusing on style but are deliberately curtailing excessive consumers' impact on the environment, making this autumn/winter collections not just stylish but also more responsible.