Forget the ‘90s—the Chicest Dressers Are Wearing These 5 Elegant Trends From the ‘80s This Spring
From show-stopping polka dots to door knocker earrings, OTT florals and clashing brights, these are the '80s-inspired trends this editor predicts will be huge in 2026.
Fashion's love affair with looking in the rearview mirror is a tale as old as time. The biggest runway designers frequently return to the stripped back minimalism of the '90s, the chintzy glitz of the '20s, the glam rock of the '70s, the doll-like dress sense of the '60s and the indie sleaze sensibilities of the 2000s. But for 2026, a particular period is coming back with a serious bang, ushering in a new wave of clashing brights, unabashed prints and patterns, decadent silhouettes, and dramatic accessorising. It is, of course, the '80s, and the most headline-grabbing designers went all-out on this retro mood across the runways for the spring/summer season.
From the blingy debutantes premiering at Richard Quinn to the Molly Ringwald doppelgängers at Caro Editions, the leather-clad club rats of Dario Vitale's Versace and the boho jet-set babes of Chemena Kamali's Chloé, designers hailing from Paris, Milan, London and Copenhagen leaned in to the multifaceted era of the 80s, giving it a fresh and wearable POV for today.
I've scoured the runway for the best '80s trends that 2026 has to offer, rounding them all up for you here. Whether you are in the mood to raid the fantasy closets of Madonna, Whitney, Blondie or Iman, there's a maximalist trend here for everyone. Scroll on for my 80s trend style file, complete with shopping ideas and styling tips to get you in the mood.
The 5 Biggest 80s Trends Making a Comeback in 2026, According to the Runways:
1. Show-Stopping Polka Dots
Style Notes: Thought you had seen the last of this distinct and repetitive trend? Think again! Polka dots are about to undergo yet another renaissance, courtesy of Jacquemus, Nina Ricci, Dries Van Noten and Patou. I'm seeing them, in multiples, across sheer gowns, full-length coats, fitted blazers and evening mini dresses, not only in black and white, but in dazzling primary tones, too. Clash yours with watercolour florals, pop-colour sneakers and exaggerated accessories for the full effect, time after time. Side ponytail, optional.
Shop the Trend:
This skirt comes in a vast array of colours, but go for polka this season.
This is 80s through and through! The ruching and monochromatic polka dots make this the perfect spring dress.
Team with a leather jacket and denim jeans for the perfect nod to the 80s.
The lace details set this polka dress apart from the rest.
Wow! Such a show-stopper. Team with a mini bag and kitten heels for a spot on party look.
2. Mix Match Brights
Style Notes: I recently reported on the biggest colours that the runways had to offer for the spring/summer 2026 season, but the boldest of designers chose to mix and match these eye-popping shades for a thoroughly 80s take. We're talking mint green against cobalt, lemon yellow paired with frosty blue, royal purple partnering with powder pink, and lastly, chartreuse harmonising with lapis blue. Nothing is off limits, as long as the tones in the look are picked from various sides of the colour wheel. Versace, Nina Ricci, Valentino and Chloé were the purveyors of this statement-making trend and showed just how expertly it can be donned for evening ensembles. See you at the discothèque!
Shop the Trend:
I just know this jacket will sell out soon. It's giving Jacob Elordi vibes!
This zesty top will add a thoroughly 80s zing to your spring 'fits.
This bright blue hue feels so fresh for the new season. Pair with tailored or cigarette trousers for an 80s mood.
I've seen so many fashion girlies wear these trousers, and they come in such fun colours.
Chartreuse is on my mind this spring, in a big way.
3. Big Skirt Energy
Style Notes: Skirts are coming in all shapes, sizes and colours for 2026, holding a lighthearted and playful essence that only the 80s could muster. I've been tracking the rise and fall of certain hemlines for months, but it turns out, anything goes for the spring season. In Copenhagen, flippy, layered knee-length skirts took centre stage at Caro Editions, and lacy pencil peplums were all over the runway at Nicklas Skovgaard. In Paris, Balenciaga debuted drop-waist evening skirts in flowing, operatic lengths and killawatt colours (no doubt drawing inspo from their illustrious archives), and back in London, cutesy puffball minis in pastel hues had us all drooling on the FROW at Mithridate. I'm calling it now: skirt SZN is about to be full swing, and it's gone all-out 80s.
Shop the Trend:
This ruffled skirt is giving Pretty in Pink vibes.
The volume! The powder blue hue! This Hush skirt is everything.
Give good Baroque with this sweet mini from H&M.
Ergh! This Stouls skirt is super chic. The yellow hue and suede texture are too good to miss.
The drop waist and exaggerated volume are a pretty way to dip into the big skirt energy trend this spring.
4. Door Knocker Earrings
Style Notes: 80s style wouldn't be complete without an ostentatiously big earring, and for 2026, the most headline-grabbing runway designers honoured that in spades. Acne Studios teamed XXL gemstones with glam-rock tailoring, and over at Stella McCartney, kitschy studs accessorised big-shouldered power suiting. The ears of Saint Laurent models were decorated with hefty pearl-embellished rhinestone charms, complete with anti-paparazzi sunglasses, and for Richard Quinn, his gang of debutantes got the memo with dangly diamantés skimming their shoulders. Dare I say it: the bigger, the better.
Shop the Trend:
These earrings will add a vintage glamour to your evening looks.
No, stop! These tasseled earrings deserve taking to the ball.
Look like a Dynasty extra in these XXL knot earrings from MÉGA.
Completedworks earrings are a fashion editor's favourite.
These look like vintage heirlooms. Obsessed!
5. OTT Florals
Style Notes: For spring/summer 2026, the most nostalgic designers are looking to the archives for floral inspiration, favouring vintage-feel watercolour hues, all-over repeat prints, and bold, heirloom buds. Flourishing over pretty ruched blouses, body-con mini dresses, floor-skimming evening gowns and even high-summer cut-out swimsuits, too, 80s florals are cropping up all over the runways, particularly at Chloé, Rabanne, Patou and Richard Quinn. Blooming lovely!
Shop the Trend:
This fresh floral dress is a must-have for spring and summer.
Reformation do the best wedding guest dresses, and this pastel floral number is a best seller for a reason.
Cowl necks were all the rage in the 80s. This floral take brings it firmly into 2026. Team with denim and ballet flats for the spring months.
The watercolour, oversized florals look pretty and retro all the same.
Team with bright white denim and chunky gold jewellery for a fresh 80s mood as we head into spring.
