Fashion brands are learning to straddle two worlds. Spring/Summer 2027 collections brought maximalism back after years of pared-back style, yet even quiet luxury label The Row added beaded, colorful tops and chunky necklaces to its cream and white palette. Buyers largely praised looks that could be taken apart and recombined, each with a distinctive edge.
Shoppers Want Individuality, Not Formulas
Consumers, fatigued by prepackaged aesthetics and fast-moving micro-trends, want wardrobes they can assemble easily while still expressing personality. Vogue Runway’s Laird Borrelli-Persson framed the season’s slightly off-kilter styling as an antidote to algorithm-driven sameness. EDITED analyst Venetia Rothwell noted that layering and clashing prints replaced overly polished looks. The data supports it: arrivals of two-in-one layered tops climbed 244% year on year in early SS26.
Designers are also planning across seasons, not just within them. All Three founder Tal Waksal calls her method a “Lego system,” creating new pieces, such as fresh shades of blue, to work with items from earlier collections. Celine’s Michael Rider and Dries Van Noten’s Julian Klausner are credited with mastering the approach, and independents including TWP, Julie Kegels and 6397 are following.
Accessories Open the Door
Accessories offer lower-priced entry points for shoppers who aren’t buying full looks. Belts are selling quickly at TWP, All Three calls them its “third piece,” and scarf skirts sold out at Dries Van Noten. Rothwell says accessories let customers add personality without fully committing to maximalism, and statement buckle belts were among the season’s strongest trends.
Minimalism isn’t finished, but it now has to work harder, with texture and color separating designer pieces from mall-brand imitations. With cash-strapped shoppers growing skeptical, consultant Zara Wong says clothing must feel new, wearable and worth the money.