Get Stylish for 2026

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

 

If you feel like your style could use a bit of updating, the new year is the perfect time to refresh your wardrobe.

Kelly Landau, owner of Synple in Camillus, said that “the ‘90s retro modern look will be inspired again with boxy blazers and baggy jeans. We’ve seen that with many of our lines that are casual wear.

“Last spring, there was a pause on more fitted dresses, but some of that body con is coming back in, with rib knit and jersey fabrics. Blazers are going to be very popular for spring and more as a cropped blazer. Women over 50: don’t always wear a cropped blazer with pants. You can wear them over a dress. We had seen blazers fall off a bit but, they’ve come back. Skirts are coming back for spring, too. It’s going to be very feminine with block prints and some slimmer silhouettes and frocks, dresses with pockets and flowy material. They’re pretty forgiving to the body.”

Expect for women to see a renewal of ladylike looks with florals and ruffles and “really pretty, classic, dressy looks with soft, sweet, playful pieces, like frills on jackets and bows on shoes,” Landau added. “That girly look can translate to older women, too. It’s definitely feminine.

“Sportswear is still going to be very popular, looking chic with athleisure wear and making it more polished with a jean jacket or a nicer sweatshirt. We have nice options with a nice zip-up jacket with a wide pant. You can wear those pants with a denim jacket.”

This look combines a soft, flowing garment with a more structured jacket for an appealing contrast.

“Mixing up athleisure pieces with stuff you already have in your closet with things that are structure is the best way to get the most wear out of the items in your closet,” Landau added.

For jewelry, gold tone is tops and stacked bracelets are on trend. Landau said that bolder pieces pop with color will be popular for both jewelry and handbags. Going with these kinds of statement pieces is also a great way to add pizzaz.

Landau has seen longer hemlines and wide-legged pants as continuing through spring.

“Don’t throw out your skinny jeans yet as they’ll come back,” she said. “But embrace that sailor look with pants. Sailor chic is in with blazers, shirts, jackets and sweaters and bucket hats. Cable knits are very big and will continue through the spring.”

Beyond florals, prints will include leopard, polka dots and plaid.

“One trend we’re seeing is very bold printed skirts and volume-filled and tulle skirts,” Landau said. “All of the colors stayed the same from last year: bright pink, kelly green and yellow were huge.”

As another nod to the ‘90s, accessories are going to also tap into the theme with brightly colored sneakers to wear with dresses for a fun, casual look. Landau also sees booties, mesh shoes and double buckle sandals resembling Birkenstocks increasing in popularity.

Another hot look is the preppy style. Landau said that preppy has a “coastal vibe with flag sweaters and classic looks.”

Tom Huyck, owner at Executive Clothing Service in Syracuse, primarily serves men with tailoring and formal looks. He said that regarding men’s suits, “they’re still liking the tight look, but not as extreme. There are no pads in the shoulders and the pants aren’t as tight through the ankles.”

Occasionally, he’s seeing pleats. Few men are looking for ties, but most want trim, fit, tailored shirts.

“Men still wear white and solid blue; they’re not doing stripes, checks or anything bold for suits,” Huyck said. “You’re not seeing traditional navy with pinstripes.”

He said that brown or tan shoes with navy are still on trend, but not black shoes.

Men are eschewing accessories these days, such as cufflinks, pocket handkerchiefs and tie bars and keeping it simple yet elegant.