It Girls With Exceptional Taste Are Bringing Back These Forgotten Autumn Trends
Our take
The cyclical nature of fashion is hardly a revelation, yet the current resurgence of “forgotten” autumn trends, as highlighted in [It Girls With Exceptional Taste Are Bringing Back These Forgotten Autumn Trends](), feels particularly resonant. It’s not merely a nostalgic throwback; it speaks to a deeper desire for timelessness and a rejection of fleeting, hyper-trend-driven cycles. We're seeing a move away from the aggressively 'new' and towards a refined appreciation for silhouettes and textures that have proven their enduring appeal. This echoes a broader cultural shift towards quiet luxury – a sensibility we champion here – where understated elegance and enduring quality supersede the pursuit of ostentatious displays. The article’s observation that pieces reminiscent of one’s mother’s wardrobe are now considered chic is striking; it suggests a generational shift in values, prioritizing heritage and longevity over novelty. This is further reinforced by the spotlight on Christy Turlington’s campaign for Giorgio Armani [Christy Turlington Looks Chic in Giorgio Armani Fall 2026], showcasing how classic tailoring and sophisticated styling continue to captivate. The resurgence isn’t about replicating the past verbatim, but rather reinterpreting it through a modern lens, integrating these vintage-inspired elements into contemporary wardrobes.
This return to familiar aesthetics is intrinsically linked to a growing fatigue with the rapid-fire churn of fast fashion. Consumers are increasingly discerning, seeking pieces that transcend seasonal trends and offer lasting value. The emphasis on “tasteful” pieces adorning the “best dressers” signals a move away from the democratizing (and often overwhelming) influence of social media-driven trends. Instead, we see a return to a more curated approach, where individual style and considered choices take precedence. The focus on trousers over jeans, as explored in [Hold the Jeans—IMO, These Trousers (Plus These Shoes) Look Far Chicer ], exemplifies this shift. It’s a move towards more polished and sophisticated silhouettes, demonstrating a preference for pieces that exude understated confidence. Furthermore, the popularity of the new '90s it bag [The New '90s It Bag of Fall 2026 Is Here] highlights how specific elements from past decades can be revived and reimagined to create contemporary must-haves. It's a thoughtful curation, not a wholesale adoption of past styles.
The significance of this trend extends beyond mere aesthetic preference. It represents a reevaluation of our relationship with fashion itself. We’re moving away from the notion of constantly needing to acquire new items and towards a more mindful approach to consumption. This aligns perfectly with the values of conscious consumerism and sustainable practices that are gaining increasing traction. By revisiting and reimagining classic styles, we can reduce waste, extend the lifespan of garments, and cultivate a more enduring and meaningful personal style. The focus on quality materials and timeless designs allows for investment pieces that can be cherished and worn for years to come, rather than discarded after a single season. It’s a subtle but powerful statement about prioritizing substance over fleeting trends.
Looking ahead, it’s intriguing to consider how this appreciation for heritage and timelessness will continue to shape the fashion landscape. Will we see a further blurring of the lines between vintage and contemporary? Will designers increasingly draw inspiration from past decades, while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of innovation? Or will this cyclical pattern eventually reach a point of saturation, prompting a renewed desire for entirely new aesthetics? One thing remains clear: the current emphasis on “forgotten” autumn trends signifies a deeper cultural shift towards a more mindful, sophisticated, and enduring approach to style – a movement that prioritizes personal expression and quiet confidence above all else.
Without sounding too premature, it’s become increasingly apparent that the chicest pieces this season aren’t in any way new. Instead, the tasteful pieces adorning the best dressers in fashion’s capitals are taking cues from the past, looking to the autumn trends that have made a comeback to build their stylish wardrobes upon. The easiest way to gauge? If your mum wore it before you were born, it's probably chic now.
If spring was an exercise in serotonin-boosting, mood-enhancing silhouettes that made getting dressed fun, autumn is about distilling these qualities into wearable and chic pieces that make getting dressed easy.
As it turns out, the secret to striking this balance doesn’t stem from finding a new way to wear a tassel scarf, trying out a pillbox hat or wearing a skirt with a face on it. (Although these are certainly incredibly chic and well worth doing if you haven’t tried your hand at them already.)
Instead, it’s about investing in styles that have already proven their longevity, looking at forgotten pieces that were once regarded as the acme of taste and style, but have now fallen into the annals of sartorial history.
This doesn’t even include the trends that have fallen out of fashion’s favour over the past few years, with the chicest autumn comeback trends to crop up thus far making their return from the last century. Think: 1920s robes worn by Josephine Baker backstage after a cabaret at Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, 1970s kaftans adorned by Truman Capote’s “Swans” for lunch at La Côte Basque in the Upper East Side, ‘90s jewellery trends that you would’ve bought from Claire’s as a teenager.
To quote Justin Timberlake, another relic from the past that’s attempting a revival, what goes around comes around. And just because these pieces were popular once, it doesn’t necessitate that we exclude them in spite of this fact. Without further ado, uncover the key autumn trends that have made a comeback below.
5 Fashion Trends Making a Comeback for Autumn 2026
1. Arm Cuffs
Style Notes: As the cooling weather prompts us to start covering up our limbs with soft cashmere knits and structured cotton poplin shirts, arm cuffs offer a way to add dimension to your ensemble without feeling bulking yourself out with accessories. From the bicep bangles that dominated the ‘90s to the structural cuffs that defined the ‘70s jet set, slip this over a long-sleeved silk dress or use it to prop up the sleeve of your blouse.
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Adding depth and poise in a single piece.
This piece is made special with a screw-nut clasp adorned with sparkling white sapphires.
There is no arm cuff more chic than the Tiffany & Co. Bone cuff.
Chunky styles that are worn on the wrist are a great alternative to the slim styles worn just above the elbow.
2. Fur Stoles
Style Notes: After making an appearance on the Miu Miu autumn/winter 2025 runways, ‘20s-inspired faux fur stoles and collars are certainly going to be all the rage this autumn. Made from textured shearling, these are styles you can lie over the top of a blazer or coat to make any tried-and-tested piece of outerwear feel new. Plus, with an innate elegance, the simple act of wearing one will have you emulating your inner Daisy Buchanan.
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Cream is such a delicious colour for cool weather moments.
This will make anything you pair it with look far more luxurious, from funnel-neck track jackets to waisted leather coats.
The ribbon tie-up is simply too sweet for words.
You'll own this piece for decades.
3. Kaftans
Style Notes: If spring was for channelling Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s inimitable minimal wardrobe, then autumn will be about embracing the effortless glamour of Lee Radziwill’s socialite uniform. The most crucial shortcut to achieving this undone effortlessness is by switching out your autumn trousers for a wafty kaftan. Synonymous with the Halstonettes—an iconic cohort of women, including Elsa Peretti and Pat Cleveland, who wore and worshipped Ray Halston’s designs—these loose-fitting and fluid creations provide that one-and-done ease that only a dress can. This season, however, they’re being rendered in thicker fabrics and cool-weather-appropriate prints, particularly the covetable canary yellow style from Celine.
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Perfect for a slow summer day and cosy autumn evenings alike.
This is the type of piece you'll wear to dinner, only to be the most complimented person at the table.
A very rich-looking autumn colour palette.
Coral is one of those shades that you can easily transition into autumn by rebranding it as pumpkin coloured.
4. Antique Robes
Style Notes: Evoking a sense of John Galliano’s spring/summer 1998 collection for Dior and Conner Ives’s autumn/winter 2026 show, antique-inspired robes are certainly back on fashion’s agenda for autumn. Whether embossed with delicate chinoiserie or accented by fur trims, these longline jackets instantly elevate a simple pair of jeans and a white T-shirt.
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Combine with other elevated basics like satin slippers and a scoop neck cami.
Because who wouldn't want to swan around town in this?
The item on everyone's wish list.
Channel Penny Lane in Almost Famous with this piece.
5. Camo Trousers
Style Notes: If dressing like a member of Destiny’s Child in the music video for “Survivor” takes your fancy, then allow the camo trouser trend to make its way into your autumn wardrobe. Endorsed by the likes of Gigi Hadid and Alexa Chung, this style offers a more trendy way to embrace khaki tones, whilst also emulating the Y2K aesthetic that’s dominated recent years.
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Kelly Rowland-core.
Trust East London favourite Peachy Den to offer their own version of the trend.
Pair with a raglan top and red-and-black flip-flops.
A more neutral option.
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