Autumn has already set in, and summer dresses, sandals and shorts are being tucked away in the back of the wardrobe until next year. It's time to start building your autumn–winter wardrobe, and global and Ukrainian brands are already actively presenting their new collections. As stylists note, the fashion direction continues to move toward self-expression and “dopamine” looks, but the palette is shifting: soft pastel shades are giving way to muted and rich tones. In vogue are texture, clean lines, elegant silhouettes and dense fabrics. The WAVE editorial team (the lifestyle project of “RBC-Ukraine”) has put together a roundup of the season's most relevant trends that will help you put together a wardrobe for the cold season.
Color Palette: From Pastel to Richness
This autumn, the color palette goes far beyond the classic black, grey and beige. In focus are purple, olive, emerald, burgundy and blue. The shades are mostly muted and rich, while pastels remain a summer memory. According to stylists, combining several colors in a single look is especially stylish — this is exactly where the emphasis on texture and color depth comes in.
Animal Prints and Dense Fabrics
The animal print is everywhere this season: outerwear, skirts, blouses, shirts, footwear and accessories. Both a fully “animal” look and a pinpoint accent through an accessory are acceptable; the print itself can range from leopard to zebra. In parallel, leather is becoming one of the key materials of the season — leather trousers, suits, coats, skirts and shirts. A total leather look is especially striking: leather trousers with a coat or a leather suit, where colors can be mixed or kept monochromatic.
High Collars and Clean Silhouettes
The most relevant model of outerwear (and not only) this season is a piece with a high collar that holds its shape well and fully covers the neck. Overall, the collections are dominated by dense fabrics, clean lines and elegant silhouettes. Suits are another key element: they can be paired with skirts of varying lengths or with trousers, the main thing being that the fabric is textured and the silhouette is clean and elegant.
Sporty Accents, Checks and Nostalgia
Despite the dominance of classics, there is room for play in the season. Classic trousers and jackets are offered to be combined with sporty bombers or leggings, creating a noticeable and current look. The checkered print remains a classic of the autumn–winter season and appears not only on shirts but also on suits, accessories and outerwear. The trend toward a defined waist and a textured silhouette makes the look elegant and restrained, while fringe adds lightness and ease. The nostalgia trend continues: tweed, jackets, skirts and classic elegant looks have taken over collections and runways.
Thus, the autumn–winter season of 2026 is defined by contrast: rich muted colors and dense textures coexist with animal prints, leather and sporty touches. The main principle is self-expression through a clean silhouette and a conscious choice of texture, rather than through the pastel softness of summer.
