Fashion trends 2026: Genie pants, belts and trench coats

Winter’s thaw can’t happen soon enough, and on the horizon for 2026 comes an array of fresh fashion choices that will melt your heart. In place of all those bulky sweaters and clunky boots? A somewhat discordant collection of looks that go in different directions. Some of it is romantic, filmy and feminine and on the flip side comes sharp and structured silhouettes that will command attention. It’s the tale of two fashion directions for women who may choose one or the other or to mix it all up.

So says Afshin Haghani, the owner of women’s boutiques Gallery Couture in Manhasset and Loop in Port Washington. "Spring 2026 is really a dichotomy of two different women — soft glamour and hard tailoring." Overall, Haghani believes there’s plenty of room for personality. "It’s all about individuality, creative expression and personal style," he notes. On the softer side, find shapely bubble curves, satin, scarf prints, ruffles and lace in pastel shades.

Cut to precise tailoring, pencil skirts, menswear, statement making trousers and strong shouldered blazers along with a new, bold color palette. "It’s the new power dressing," Haghani says.

Here’s a look at top trends for spring 2026:

Digging the trenches

If you only buy one new thing for spring, let it be a trench coat, says Jessica Neises, senior fashion editor at Cosmopolitan. "The transitional jacket that always reappears is the trench coat and next year we’ll see it in shorter hems," she says, adding that new textures such as leather, fluid silk and vinyl will add interest. Michael Kors lit up his spring runway via a brass-colored leather variation.

I dream of genie (pants)

Call them what you will — genie, balloon, harem — but the pants of the season for spring are flowy and often gathered at the ankle. From luxury designers such as Michael Kors and Brandon Maxwell to fast fashion retailers such as Gap and H & M, genie pants are available across the board at a variety of price points. "It’s an elevated vibe," says Coreen Eitan, a wardrobe consultant/stylist from Great Neck whose Instagram (@styledbycocony) offers styling advice and fashion news. Eitan has already picked up a pair from H & M for a winter jaunt to warmer climes and recommends wearing them with sneakers or ballet flats for an easy casual look.

That said, Long Island fashion and lifestyle content creator Christina Miller of Bellmore (@yourmostexpensivefriend) likes the versatility of the pant. "I think you can wear it to work," says Miller, 40, "and when you’re going out with a higher, pointed heel."

Bubble entendre

It’s not only pants that are getting volumized this season. Bubble silos are appearing on blouses, jackets and dresses as well. Of particular note, says Haghani, "Cocoonlike shapes will dictate proportion. T-shirts and jackets are slightly shorter with elastic at the bottom that gives the illlusion of a bubble shape."

Viva le belt

"You can change the simplest look, a top or sweater and a pair of pants and take it to the next level with a belt. It seriously completes the look," says Gabrielle Sunshine, the owner of the Penny Lane boutique in Huntington, where there are many belt offerings. She also likes it cinched over a shoulder-padded blazer. "Shoulder pads and a belt are key to a small waist. I love that ''80s power playing of belting everything."

Shady business

Find plenty of pastels for spring, says Haghani, who calls out "cloudlike shades such as ballerina pink, mint green, baby blue and buttery yellow." But beyond that there are some powerful primary pops sure to be scene stealers. The most vibrant accent color of them all this season? Blasts of scarlet and lipstick red spotted on many a runway as both an accent and an overall look. As for Pantone’s 2026 Color of The Year, dubbed Cloud Dancer, well ... it’s white. And of course, that’s a no-brainer for spring.

Wild things

Leopard print has been a staple for many seasons now, and Miller is still a fan. "I love a leopard print; maybe it’s the Long Island girl in me," she says. But slithering into the limelight this season, she believes, "You’re going to see a lot of snake." Indeed, there are snake patterns galore and generally speaking these work as a neutral.

Sole mates

Over at Jildor stores in Cedarhurst, Woodbury, Greenvale and Great Neck, shoe buyer Joe Friedman is predicting the continuation of the popularity of fashion sneakers. "They’re definitely here to stay," he says.

For early spring, a mashup of Mary Janes-meets-ballet flat in woven leather will be a major trend according to Friedman. But as the weather warms, Friedman forecasts raffia platform slides in punchy hues. Also find the quirky (yet comfy) combo of kitten heel thongs. Overall, adds Friedman, "There are pops of color but it’s not crazy. Earth tones will be prevalent as the success of brown and tan leathers continue."