When Fashion Looks Back

According to what I learned during my fashion studies, trends tend to move in cycles, often resurfacing every 20 years. This means that what we wear today is likely inspired by styles that first appeared two, four or even six decades ago.

I’ve always been fascinated by fashion’s ability to draw from past eras and reinterpret them for the present. Perhaps it’s because contemporary fashion can sometimes feel as though it’s losing its originality with designers leaning less toward creating something entirely new and more toward reimagining what has already been done.

As you’ll see in the examples below, many of the world’s leading fashion houses consistently look to history for inspiration when developing their seasonal collections. Of course, these designs are given a modern twist. Without it, they would risk being seen as mere imitation which has no place in the fashion world.

This article comes a little later than planned as I’ve been busy revamping my website and rebranding my business. That said, I’m excited to share some compelling examples of how the 2026 fashion collections are revisiting and reinventing styles from the past.

Enjoy the read.

18th-century Reference

We’ve noticed costume-like designs with extra volume around the hips; ballooning bell sleeves; lace veiling and exaggerated headpieces.

Seen at Alaïa, Balenciaga, Christopher John Rogers, Gucci, Saint Laurent, Jonathan Anderson houses.

Medieval Inspiration

Designers like Burberry, Conner Ives, Chopova Lowena, Colleen Allen, Yuhan Wang showcased armor-like aesthetics and designs. With also medieval protective gear, mini dresses in a chain mesh pattern worn over slacks, demi-couture chainmail gown made entirely of stainless steel, black hooded gown and even a knight’s breastplate.

1920’s – Art Deco era

Tory Burch, Chanel, Valentino, Maximillian Davis for Ferragamo and Versace used silvery dresses, beads embellishments, dropped waistlines, flapper dresses to evoke the 1920’s Art Deco ear with a modern twist of course.

90’s Nostalgia

Houses like Eckhaus Latta, Jil Sander and Lii, Max Mara, Ferragamo and Tom Ford showcased unfussy, minimal, sleek and a little bit sexy creations on their runways. We also noticed simple spaghetti-strap tops and different versions of sheath dresses 

80’s Working Girl

And finally, my favourite decade, the 80’s was revived at Versace, Chloé, Valentino and Saint Laurent houses with super-exaggerated shoulders, bold, Miami Vice-esque colors and extreme hourglass silhouettes