Milan SS26 was a season of contrasts—of finality and new beginnings, of vivid color and quiet elegance, of playfulness interwoven with rigor. In many ways, it felt like a turning point: a moment where tradition and innovation met at the runway.

Straight From Milan Fashion Week: 5 Chic Trends That Are About to Be Everywhere

From https://www.whowhatwear.com/

From sharp tailoring to new-season neutrals, discover the five chicest trends hot off the Milan spring/summer 2026 runways.

Models wears bloomers, texture and knee-length skirts on the Milan SS 26 runways.

(Image credit: Launchmetrics/Spotlight)

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By Natalie Munro

inFeatures

Between the inevitable glamour of Milan Fashion Week and the excitement of four new designers making their debut, this spring/summer 2026 season always promised to be one for the history books. We witnessed thoughtful reinterpretations of legacy labels and bold creative shifts that marked the start of new chapters for others.

With heavyweights such as Prada, Fendi, Bottega Veneta, and Jil Sander anchoring the schedule, the week was packed with show-stopping moments. Demna turned Gucci into a cinematic exploration of Italian stereotypes, whilst Versace transported us back to the unapologetic glamour and grit of the ’80s.

After studying the collections closely, I’ve distilled the standout themes into five key trends that will shape the season ahead. Some offer clever twists on beloved silhouettes, whilst others feel like a fresh departure entirely. Either way, these are the runway trends from Milan that are destined to define summer dressing.

1. Knee-Length Skirts

Model wears a knee-length skirt on the Fendi runway.

Style Notes: This season, knee-grazing hemlines edged out the micro-minis of recent years, signalling a swing towards polish and sophistication. Versace styled theirs with weighty leather bombers for a tough-luxe edge, whilst Jil Sander kept things sleek with neat knits. Whether paired with slinky sandals or sharp pointed pumps, this length emerged as one of the most directional shifts of the season.

Model wears a knee-length skirt on the Jil Sander runway.

Model wears a knee-length skirt on the Versace runway.

Shop the Trend:

H&M

Knee-Length Pencil Skirt

Style these with knee-high boots or wear them with a tall heel.

COS

Cotton Pencil Skirt

Honestly, this looks more expensive than it actually is.

Dries Van Noten

Pleated Cotton Midi Skirt

This dark taupe shade is so easy to slot into a capsule wardrobe.

2. Single-Breasted Blazers

Model wears a single breasted blazer on the Jil Sander runway.

Style Notes: The Milanese runways were all business this season, and the single-breasted blazer was the ultimate power player. A contrast to the bomber jackets dominating street style, these streamlined silhouettes—seen at Jil Sander, Fendi and MaxMara—were worn with pencil skirts, tailored shorts and straight-leg trousers, hinting at a sharper, more intentional take on summer tailoring.