September Style Edit: 4 Autumn Fashion Trends to Know for 2026
September always feels like a little reset in the wardrobe. The mornings become cooler, the evenings start to draw in, and suddenly we are thinking about layering, coats, boots and those pieces that will carry us through the next few months.
But rather than buying a completely new wardrobe every season, I always think it is more useful to look at the trends that are emerging and ask one simple question: how can I make this work for me?
For Autumn/Winter 2026, fashion is feeling playful, expressive and a little nostalgic. There is plenty of room for personality, from bohemian fringe and heritage checks to beautifully tailored Bermuda shorts and colourful scarf styling.
Here are four autumn fashion trends I will be keeping an eye on this season.
1. Fringe is back
If there is one detail that instantly brings movement and personality to an outfit, it is fringe.
This autumn, fringe is appearing across everything from sleeves and ponchos to skirts, bags and accessories. It brings a distinctly bohemian feel to an outfit and adds texture without necessarily making the look feel complicated.
And I love this trend because you do not have to go full boho to wear it.
A fringed bag can add a subtle detail to an otherwise classic outfit. A fringed knit or poncho can become a beautiful layering piece over jeans and boots. If you are feeling more adventurous, a fringed skirt can become the statement piece of your outfit.
The key is to let the fringe do the talking.
Try pairing a more decorative fringed piece with simple, clean shapes elsewhere in the outfit. Think straight-leg denim, a simple knit, tailored trousers or a classic coat.
My Elevated tip: if you are unsure about the trend, start with the accessories. A fringed bag or scarf is an easy way to experiment without committing to a full bohemian look.
Fringe is also very much in keeping with the wider AW26 mood. British Vogue has highlighted embellished and fringed pieces within this season's more decorative, romantic direction.
Shopping:
2. The Bermuda short is having a moment
Yes, shorts for autumn.
The Bermuda short continues to be one of the most versatile silhouettes around, and it is a trend I particularly love because it can be interpreted in so many different ways.
You can make it masculine and relaxed with an oversized blazer, shirt and loafers.
You can make it beautifully tailored with a fitted jacket and elegant accessories.
Or you can make it softer and more feminine with a fine knit, ballet flats and delicate jewellery.
The beauty of the Bermuda is that it sits somewhere between casual and polished. It can look incredibly sophisticated without feeling overly formal.
And when it comes to footwear, the possibilities are endless. Think loafers, knee-high boots, ankle boots, ballet flats or even a more delicate heel.
British Vogue has identified Bermuda shorts as a defining silhouette of 2026, while recent fashion week street style has continued to show how easily they can be incorporated into everyday dressing.
My Elevated tip: think about proportion. Because Bermuda shorts have a longer, wider silhouette, try balancing them with a more defined waist or a slightly more fitted top. Alternatively, embrace the volume and create a relaxed, tailored look with an oversized blazer.
And yes, you can absolutely wear them beyond summer.
Shopping:
3. Checks are everywhere
There is something about checks that feels instantly autumnal.
This season, heritage-inspired prints are back in a big way, from classic tartans and tweeds to more contemporary checked patterns.
The great thing about checks is that there is no single way to wear them.
You can introduce the print through a tailored jacket, wear checked trousers with a simple knit, choose a checked skirt or even embrace a full checked look.
And if you prefer your wardrobe to be more understated, a checked scarf is probably one of the easiest ways to bring the trend into your autumn outfits.
The print can also completely change depending on the colour and scale. A traditional brown or burgundy check will create a very classic autumn feeling, while a brighter or unexpected colour combination can make the look feel much more contemporary.
Checks have already been particularly visible in London fashion week street style, with checked and tweed jackets appearing across bombers, blazers and outerwear.
My Elevated tip: if you are wearing a strong check, keep the rest of your outfit relatively simple. Let the print become the focal point rather than competing with several other statement pieces.
Shopping:
4. The triangle scarf
And finally, one of my favourite little styling details for autumn: the triangle scarf.
It is simple, practical and, most importantly, it can completely transform an otherwise simple outfit.
Fold your scarf into a triangle, place it at the front of your neck and tuck the ends in. Wear it underneath your coat or over a jacket and suddenly you have a little pop of colour and personality.
This is particularly lovely if you tend to wear a lot of neutral colours during autumn and winter.
Imagine a camel coat with a burgundy scarf. A navy blazer with a soft pink print. A grey knit with a beautiful chocolate brown or deep red scarf.
It is such a small addition, but it can make an outfit feel much more considered.
Scarf styling has been growing beyond the traditional way of wearing a scarf, with fashion week street style continuing to explore scarves as expressive styling pieces. The triangle scarf movement has also evolved into other cosy scarf and cape shapes for AW26.
My Elevated tip: use your scarf as your opportunity to introduce a colour you would not necessarily wear in your main wardrobe. You do not need to buy a bright coat or colourful trousers to experiment with colour. Sometimes a small accessory is enough.
Shopping:
The real question: which trend is for you?
Of course, you do not need to wear all four.
In fact, I would always encourage you not to.
Trends are there to inspire you, not dictate your wardrobe. The most interesting outfits usually come from taking one element that catches your eye and interpreting it in a way that feels authentic to you.
Maybe that is a fringed bag.
Maybe it is a beautifully tailored pair of Bermuda shorts.
Maybe it is a checked jacket that becomes your autumn hero piece.
Or perhaps it is simply a colourful triangle scarf worn with the coat you already own.
The aim is not to constantly buy something new because the fashion cycle has moved on.
It is to understand what is happening in fashion, identify what speaks to you, and then make thoughtful choices about what deserves a place in your wardrobe.
Because style is not about following every trend. It is about knowing which ones are yours.
Your September Style Edit
If you are looking at your wardrobe and wondering what to add for the new season, start by looking at what you already own.
Could a fringed accessory bring something new to an outfit?
Could you style your existing shorts differently for autumn?
Do you already have a checked jacket hiding at the back of your wardrobe?
Could a colourful scarf completely change your favourite coat?
Before you shop, look at the gaps.
The best autumn wardrobe is not necessarily the one with the most new pieces. It is the one where you know how to make what you already own work harder.
And that, ultimately, is what personal style is all about.
New season. More intention. More you.
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