Spring 2026 Trend Report: Modern Nostalgia

The fashion community’s constant obsession with the 90s has made the slip dress as current, effervescent, and chic as ever. Yet, recently, we’ve been seeing the modernist staple be reinvented with vintage elements. Think rock n’ roll Kate Moss meets feminine, old Hollywood starlet. Take Jenna Ortega at the SAG Awards, styled by Enrique Menendez, in a 1950s shredded lace vintage Christian Cowan number which oozed sultry, distressed glamour. I have extreme bias in this category. Collecting early 2000s Victoria’s Secret dresses which emulate the 1930s bias cut silhouette has become my most recent fixation. These hard to source, slinky pieces are made of 100 percent silk and accented with pops of girlish lace. From YSL to The RealReal to Depop, silk and lace is my go-to spring obsession for glammed up occasions.

This pleasant, fresh tone is crisp and versatile. Sarah Pigeon, recent television it-girl, made heads turn in a minimalist light mint gown by Blazy’s Chanel at the Charles Finch pre-Oscars party. Subdued and elegant, the pale color makes a statement on its own without being too overbearing. Take notes from runways like Jonathan Anderson’s recent collection for Dior, which highlighted the majesty of taking a promenade in the Tuileries Gardens, and find a way to incorporate this effervescent color into your wardrobe through high quality, approachable labels like LilySilk. We can’t wait to see this pop of color floating through the streets as a new classic neutral.

Sometimes you just want to look good, but don’t know what to throw on. A statement trench solves the dilemma quickly. It’s structured, so it looks like you’ve got things together, but takes two seconds to throw on. Channel 90s heroines like Meg Ryan in You’ve Got Mail or Julia Roberts in Notting Hill with a fabulous trench that can easily be taken from day to night by swapping a sneaker for a heel. Because of their severe silhouette, a light toned trench in tones like pale cherry blossom pink, baby blue, or vanilla creme from Soia and Kyo or For Love and Lemons will soften a typically autumn garment for spring.

The resurgence of the Jazz Age has finally come to the runways and showrooms. In a time of heightened excess, hedonistic pleasures, world disillusionment, and a possible literary revival, 2026 spring is ushering in Gatsby-esque garden parties, fizzy champagne popping soirees, and speakeasy seduction. Exchange an EDM rave for the jazz club and choose a daring silhouette. From skirts at Chanel to Bode’s embellished numbers reminiscent of remnants of the bygone Belle Epoque, drop waists and shift dresses are being imagined for the latest lost generation. If you aren’t a fan of the straight body silhouette, try to incorporate chic accents like a fringed vintage Whiting and Davis metal evening bag or embellished Bode recreation hairpiece paired with old school-style eveningwear for a Zelda-approved touch.

Take a cue from Scandi girls this spring with billowing, wearable basics. NA-KD, the cult Swedish brand known for sleek, curated collaborations with fashion tastemakers like Camille Charriere, delivers trendy pieces with classical elegance at an affordable price. Though you’ve probably seen their oversized blazers that have Instagram aficionados in a chokehold, make note of these colorful linen shirts that pair perfectly with a matching short set, a flowing skirt, or denim bottoms.

With Coachella on the horizon, there’s the annual search for fashionable desert friendly pieces to wear for the iconic music festival. With this year’s headliner being Sabrina Carpenter, the pop star for vintage aesthetics, look no further than the dollish flair of California 50s and 60s resort wear. Think Marilyn Monroe lounging poolside in Palm Springs or Sharon Tate’s babydoll dresses in Valley of the Dolls, we’re in for a lot of polka dots, headscarves, bralette sets, kitten sunglasses, and a cherry cola.

These art deco style accessories are all the rage right now. Balancing the cord between masculine and feminine, pendant necklaces are geometric eyecatchers when paired with any outfit. In the vein of tastemakers like Athena Calderone, pick up a few pendant necklaces for the ultimate cool girl styling tip. Think Elsa Peretti for Tiffany and Co. From gold and string to silver and leather to tassel and orb galore, there are a great number of material combinations that make this accessory so striking.

It isn’t summer yet, but can you tell we’re already excited? Grab some shell shaped shoes early this spring to take you into the hot months of beachy getaways and outdoor picnics. Organic oceanic motifs add a whimsical touch, while also functioning like jewelry for your feet. Shell types come in different varieties, shapes, and colors, allowing for versatile mix and matches. These feminine and sultry shoes will make you a siren both off and on shore. Start planning that summer get-away.