2026 trend predictions...
and why I dislike them so much!
It’s January 1st and already my feed is full of ‘2026 Trend Predictions’ and the “must have” new pieces we all NEED in our wardrobes. Please, enough already!
Perhaps I’ve just reached the age that I don’t care about what’s on trend anymore. This is probably true, somewhat. But I love fashion, and trying new things, so I acknowledge that a bit of newness is good for my experimental personal style.
So why do I dislike these trend predictions so much? Because unlike me, a person who has a natural eye for style, shops with confidence and instinctually knows how to build outfits, most women are clueless. I say this because I know it to be true. Over the past 19 years I’ve met thousands of them.
On the whole, women do not find fashion, personal style and getting dressed easy. Many find it really, really hard. I remember when I told my very first employee at Styled by Sally (who was also a friend) about my new business idea to help women shop for clothes, she rolled her eyes (on the inside) She didn't get it.
Having worked in fashion herself for her entire career as a buyer, and been around likeminded women in the industry who loved fashion as much as her, she assumed everyone loved shopping and getting dressed every day. When she started working for me a few years later, boy did she realise she was wrong, very wrong.
So how does all of this relate to the point of this post? The constant and relentless trend cycle is overwhelming, confusing, a blight on your personal style and burden on your hip pocket. Let’s discuss.
January 2026 Trend Predictions
Why are trends overwhelming?
The current trend cycle and the introduction of ‘micro-trends’ thanks largely to social media, means that deciphering what’s in and what’s out creates overwhelm. We feel overwhelmed because we’re being fed too much information, and that information is changing too quickly and we don’t have time to process it. We feel overwhelmed with choice.
My very first spot on ABC News Breakfast in March 2025 was on this topic!
Why are trends confusing?
One day I’m told that burgundy is the must-have colour of the season, and the next day I read that pastels are in? I read that barrel leg jeans are out, but I’ve finally bought a pair and love them! Do I throw them out? Who actually sets the trends? Who do I trust? Are they just trying to sell me stuff? And which trend is for me? Oh shit is this one meant for my age or my daughters? Are you feeling confused yet?
Why are trends a blight on your personal style?
This is actually my biggest beef with the current trend cycle. Trends encourage consumption and discourage unique personal style. If we all buy into the same trends, wouldn’t we all look the same? This is one of the reasons I’ve moved away from talking about trends on my social media. Instead I try to inspire my followers to build wardrobes that reflect the person THEY want to be in their clothing. Not just carbon copies of each other.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with buying new clothes and trying new things to improve, adapt or update your personal style. But it’s important to understand the why and how behind your purchases, including what ‘trends’ you might wish to invest in.
The problem lies (in my opinion) with the prolific pace at which we’re being tempted with and influenced to keep investing in new things, at the expense of ending up looking like everybody else.
It would be much easier to just tell people WHAT TO WEAR! To teach clients and followers is much harder, but I’m trying. Hence I wrote my book STYLED which embraces personal style, encourages individuality and promotes considered shopping.
Why are trends a burden on your hip pocket?
Trends come and go quicker than my husband falls asleep when his head hits the pillow (so annoying) So too are the stylists, commentators and content creators who are constantly sharing their “must-have-viral-this-or-that” week after week. This really gives me the ick.
All this leads to is overconsumption, which then leads to either over-stuffed, unworn wardrobes and then eventually, landfill. Unintentional shopping is a waste of money, but when we are relentlessly bombarded with all of this information, it’s really hard to NOT get sucked in by it.
Does this mean you should switch off from social media? Not necessarily (in fact, I hope you don’t!) but it might mean you should reconsider who you follow. I’ve unfollowed heaps of accounts over the past year or so because they don’t inspire me. I want to be inspired, not simply sold to. That’s my choice.
By all means, follow someone whose style you love, who introduces you to new brands or new pieces that align with your style values. That’s the ultimate convenience of social media after all. But if you find yourself buying things time and time again only for them to sit in your wardrobe because they probably weren’t for you in the first place, then it might be time to reconsider. Imagine all the money you’ll stop wasting!
I hope this post was helpful, but I’m interested… what’s a trend piece you’ve been influenced to buy and regret?
Excellent article, Sally, and a good reminder not to get caught up in the hype! I like reading about trends, then “shopping my closet” for them, or picking up something at a thrift store. It’s fun and you never know, it might end up being a one-and-done or a wardrobe stalwart!
My husband also falls asleep immediately! Don’t you just want to shake them? Ha!
Great post, Sally! I’ve definitely been pulled in by some trends that weren’t right for me (off the shoulder sweaters! So impractical and hard to wear.), but similarly I’ve also found some trends have opened my eyes up to things I DO like but had previously written off. An example being yellow—I always thought it looked terrible on me, but when butter yellow came along and I tried it, I realised I love soft, desaturated shades of yellow… and I’ll keep wearing those pieces even long after the butter yellow trend goes away. That’s the main thing, right? Not to treat a trend like a trend.