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The Dated Fashion Trends We’re Leaving Behind in 2026

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Hello, 2026! A new year always brings a quiet wardrobe reckoning, the kind that happens when you’re getting dressed and realize certain pieces just don’t excite you the way they used to. It’s not because they’re bad, but they’ve had their moment. Fashion moves fast, but personal style evolves more subtly, and lately, I’ve been noticing that the biggest shifts in my closet aren’t coming from dramatic overhauls. They’re coming from small edits.

In my own wardrobe, the most impactful updates have been minor tweaks that completely changed the game: swapping silhouettes, rethinking proportions, and letting go of trends that once felt essential but now feel…done. The fashion trends ahead had a very good run, but 2026 is gently nudging us to move on.

Over It: Baggy Jeans

In: Cigarette Jeans

(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

Baggy jeans aren’t wrong. They’re just no longer doing the heavy lifting they once did. That’s why I’m eyeing cigarette jeans. They feel intentional, grown-up, and perfect for my 2026 plans.

Over It: Micro Handbags

In: Workhorse Totes

Woman carrying a large leather tote bag.

Micro bags had their fashion-week moment, but in real life, they’re mostly decorative stress. Enter the workhorse tote—roomy, chic, and proof that practicality can still look very polished.

Over It: Logo Pendants

In: Artistic Pendants

Woman wearing a swimsuit and long pendant necklace.

Logo pendants feel a little too loud for where style is headed right now. Artistic pendants—abstract shapes, sculptural metals, unexpected stones—feel more personal, like something you found and made your own.

Over It: Ultra-Cropped Tops

In: Proper-Length Tees & Tanks

Woman wearing a black long-sleeve and blue jeans.

Ultra-cropped tops had a very specific moment, and I still look back on it fondly. I was in my peak college era, so they fit the scene, but things have changed. Now, proper-length tees and tanks instantly make outfits feel more balanced, more versatile, and far less trend-dependent.

Over It: Trendy Sunglasses Shapes

In: Timeless Frames With a Twist

Woman wearing oversize sunglasses, a suede jacket and blue jeans.

Hyper-trendy sunglasses date an outfit faster than almost anything else. Timeless frames with subtle tweaks, like a softened oval or slightly thicker arm, feel cooler and last far beyond one season.