Each school year brings its share of new products, but certain seasons stand out for the clarity of their trends. 2026 is clearly one of them: the catwalks, streets and social networks agree on a handful of strong pieces, easy to integrate into any wardrobe, whether minimalist or more daring. No need to renew everything to be in tune with the times: a few strategic additions are enough to transform a look.
In this article, we decipher the five most stylish fashion trends for this fall: the red piece that will liven up any outfit, the small-checked shirt that has become cult thanks to a highly anticipated collaboration, the return of the baseball t-shirt, the derbies that are dethroning the sneaker, and the leather jacket, a sure bet for all fall seasons. Enough to put together a stylish wardrobe without breaking the bank or making a mistake.
1. A red piece to liven up your look
Red stands out as THE color of this back-to-school season. After several seasons dominated by neutral tones and discreet beiges, fashion is taking a side step towards something more assertive. Red has this rare advantage of being able to fit into an everyday look as well as into a more formal outfit, without ever appearing too much when it is well balanced.
No need to dress in red from head to toe to follow the trend: a sweater, a coat, a bag or even a pair of shoes are enough to set the tone. The trick is to let this piece breathe in the middle of a more sober total look, in black, camel or raw denim, so that it immediately catches the eye. It’s the touch that transforms a basic outfit into a statement look, without extra effort.
Mini red leather bag with trimmings details, Destree – $450
2. The small-check shirt, star of the JW Anderson x Uniqlo collab
It’s impossible to talk about back-to-school without mentioning the small-checked shirt, worn by both men and women this season. This workwear piece, inspired by British wardrobe classics, owes a large part of its success to the collaboration between Uniqlo and designer JW Anderson. The check pattern, a true signature of the house, is available in a spirit that is both relaxed and sharp, with a cut that can be worn alone or as a light jacket over a t-shirt.
Sold for 39.90 euros, this unisex shirt is available in several colors, making it an accessible piece and particularly easy to integrate into an existing wardrobe. It fits just as well into a casual look with raw jeans as into a more worked outfit, worn open over a total plain look. Its success can also be explained by its versatility: one piece, a thousand ways to wear it, from the office to the weekend.
Checked flannel shirt, JW ANDERSON and Uniqlo – $39.90
3. The baseball t-shirt, the basic that changed everything
The baseball t-shirt, recognizable by its contrasting sleeves, is making a notable comeback in back-to-school trends. Inherited from the American sports wardrobe, it brings a retro and relaxed touch to any outfit, without ever falling into the total sportswear look. It is precisely this balance between comfort and style that appeals to streetwear fashion fans as much as those looking for simple pieces to wear every day.
This t-shirt goes particularly well with straight jeans or wide-leg pants, for a look that is neither too dressy nor too sporty. Layered under an open shirt or denim jacket, it also becomes an excellent way to play with layering, a strong trend this fall. Easy to find at all prices, it is one of the best value purchases of the season.
Slim baseball top in ribbed cotton jersey, ME+EM – $115
4. Derbies, the shoe that dethrones sneakers
After several years dominated by sneakers in all their forms, derbies are making a strong comeback as a back-to-school trend. This shoe, historically associated with more formal wardrobes, is reinvented today in more casual versions, sometimes in patinated leather, sometimes in more original colors, to adapt to everyday looks.
The great advantage of derbies is their ability to immediately structure an outfit, even the simplest. Worn with jeans, a midi skirt or wide-leg pants, they instantly add a more elegant touch, without ever requiring any particular effort. It’s exactly this type of piece that allows you to renew your looks without rethinking your entire wardrobe: you just need to change your shoes to change your look.
Soft black Zizi derbies, Repetto – $340
5. The leather jacket, the piece that never goes out of style
Impossible to finish this overview without mentioning the leather jacket, a true sure bet for all back-to-school styles for decades. This season once again, it stands out as a central piece of the wardrobe, capable of warming up a look without ever weighing it down. Its main asset remains its ability to go with absolutely everything, from a total sportswear look to a more dressy outfit.
Worn over a flowing dress, raw jeans or tailored pants, the leather jacket instantly adds character to an outfit. It is also a piece that is part of a more sustainable fashion logic: unlike more ephemeral trends, a good leather jacket can be kept and worn for many years, making it a particularly wise fashion investment for the start of the school year.
STAN jacket straight leather jacket, Rouje – $395
FAQ: fashion trends for back to school 2026
What is the trendy color for back to school 2026?
Red stands out as the flagship color of this fall, to be integrated in small touches on a sweater, an accessory or a coat rather than as a total look.
Where to find the JW Anderson x Uniqlo checked shirt?
This unisex shirt is part of the Uniqlo and JW Anderson collaboration and is available directly on the site and in Uniqlo stores, at the price of 39.90 euros, in several colors.
How to wear a baseball t-shirt without going for a total sportswear look?
Simply pair it with straight jeans, wide-leg pants or layer it under an open shirt, avoiding combining it with other pieces that are too sporty.
Are derbies really replacing sneakers this season?
They do not completely replace sneakers, but they are establishing themselves as the trendy alternative for structuring both casual and dressy looks this fall.
Is a leather jacket a good fashion investment?
Yes, it is one of the most durable pieces in the wardrobe: it goes through seasons and trends without ever going out of style, unlike more ephemeral pieces.
