Jennifer Mackey-Mary: It’s that time again–time to learn what all the cool girls–that’s you–will be wearing this season. Today, I’m sharing 10 Spring trends that are in stores right now, that real life women can work into their real life wardrobes. Let’s get started. 

Welcome to the Everyday Style School, the show that teaches you everything your mom never did about getting dressed.  I'm your host, Jennifer Mackey Mary. After 25 years of dressing women with real bodies, real budgets, and real lives, I know great style isn't about following one-size-fits-all advice - it's about learning what works for you.

Hello Gorgeous! 

Well, you did it! You guys bullied me into doing a Spring Trends episode, so today, we’re taking a break from talking about how to make style easier in your everyday life by developing a daily habit of style, to talk about how to look current this season with some trending styles.

Now hopefully you know that I’m totally kidding when I said y’all bullied me into doing this episode, but after I did the Fall trends episode as a live event, and I didn’t do a winter trends episode at all we got enough STRONGLY worded messages for me to rework the semester’s schedule so I could fit this one in. This was not on the original plan.

Here’s the reality–the trends episodes, traditionally, have come out around the same time as the season’s Capsule Guide. On one hand, it’s great, because I can talk about some of the things we’re including, because the Capsules and the trends DO go hand in hand. The last time I asked our members what they liked best about the Capsule Guides, I was a little surprised to hear that the main reason so many members are obsessed with the Capsule Guides is that they liked how the Capsules keep them current, while still feeling age and lifestyle appropriate. So I get the correlation.

On the other hand though, doing a trends episode WHILE putting the Capsule Guide together is simply not sustainable for me as a person. Both things, even with a talented team, require so much time, and trying to do both in the same two week period is just too much. I’ll be 100% honest with you and say that I was simply going to not do trend episodes anymore, and if winter was any indication, it did make Capsule creation time so much easier. I don’t think I cried once out of sheer exhaustion and stress, so that was nice. 

But, like the emails, DMs, and comments in our community have shown me, you really like these episodes, and I want to give you info that’s helpful, so this season I’m trying something different, which is to give you the trends episode AFTER the Capsule craziness has died down, and I know there will be people saying “this is too late, I need this earlier so I can shop”, and if that’s the case for you, I’ll just apologize in advance. Frankly, this season, it was later, or never. And I also know there are those saying “other creators have their trend info out in February”, And that’s true, but I watch all of those videos too, and what you need to understand is that so many of those videos and articles are sharing what was big on the runways, or in more fashion-forward spaces. That’s not what we do. I find the earlier I do the trend episodes, the less applicable they are to real women. I actually like to see which of the runway trends have shown up in the stores where you shop, or what’s trending from a retail perspective that wasn’t a runway trend. The trends you’re seeing in stores, and what runways showed for the season aren’t always the same things. Sometimes they are, but it’s not a direct correlation. So yep, I could do the Spring Trends episode in February–heck, I could do it in December but it wouldn’t be a good representation of what you’re seeing at Loft or Old Navy. 

Today I’m going to talk about 10 trends you’re seeing in stores, and I know this, because I have actually seen them in stores, and what’s funny is almost nothing on this list is new. I’ve talked about almost all of these before, but it needed time to be a retail trend, not just a runway trend so for me, and for you, later is better.

Before we get to the trends, I want to remind you that these are not all the trends that are out there there are some that don’t apply to everyday women, and there just isn’t room to cover everything. Also, you don’t have to like everything, but remember my last episode about curiosity, and what happens when you stop being curious–your thinking becomes inflexible, you shut down new ideas, and you can find yourself in a style rut. So you don’t have to do all the trends, but keep an open mind and ask, HOW could I do this in a way that works for me, and which trends DO I like? That’s a whole lot better for your style than “Uh, that sucks. I’d never wear that”. Look for ways to stay current–that’s why you’re listening to this episode, right? If you don’t stay current, you might eventually find yourself in a place where you want to GET current, which requires a whole lot more work and effort, and for most women is a real shock to the system, so update a little at a time, and you won’t find yourself in that spot. With that said, let’s get to 10 Wearable Trends for Spring 2026. In no particular order, here they are.

#1–Let’s talk about the colors that are big for Spring 2026. You know I love a color trend, because colors don’t really date. I can look back at Spring Capsules going back to 2017 when I started doing them, and none of the colors look dated. Obviously, there are colors that are bigger in certain seasons, or color pairings that are having a moment, but no one’s going to be like “OMG, she's wearing pink. That’s so 2023”. Also, it’s not like the stores are coming out with colors no ones ever seen before, so it’s a subtle way to look current that won’t look out of style next season. 

I know I’ve said this before, but over the past few years, there hasn’t been one dominating color or even color story—colors have been varying wildly from store to store, so its getting harder to really nail down the color trends, but this season, there are a few runway trends that made their way into stores in a big way–and they just happen to be our color palette. Huh, imagine that. 

Those colors are brown, light blue, butter yellow, and soft olive green. 

Going from winter into spring, we’ve seen the browns lighten up a bit to more of a cocoa color instead of the deep dark chocolate brown of the past season–although those are still out there as well. 

The blue that’s most on-trend this season is a light sky blue, which we’re actually seeing used as a neutral, which is very springy, especially when paired with white, ivory, or other light pastels. I love the look of navy and crisp white, but this light blue is a great option for women who look better in lower contrast outfits.

Butter yellow is butter yellow-pale, soft, perfect for pairing with brown, light blue, navy… I know a lot of women are afraid of yellow, but this shade is a little easier to wear, and even within the pale yellow, you’ll find warmer versions and cooler versions, so don’t count yellow out completely. 

Then there’s the soft olive green. This is not the saturated olive green that often comes to mind...this is lighter, more muted, almost bordering on sage. This is another great option for a neutral for you ladies with lighter coloring who look best in low contrast outfits. Again, this is a color we’re seeing a lot of variations of–some soft olive leans more yellow, some gets a little more blue, almost bordering on minty. What matters is finding the shade that’s best on you, and if you want to do a monochromatic outfit, just buy the pieces from the same place. That’s the easiest way to do it.

Speaking of, it’s a good time to remind you that because color is an easy way to do a trend, it’s a little harder to make it look like a trend. You either have to 1-wear it in an unexpected way–like a light blue trench coat instead of a light blue t-shirt 2-wear more of it–like a monochromatic outfit, or a matching set or 3-combine it with another trending piece, creating the two-for-one trend effect I’m always talking about.

So let’s talk about other trends you can do that with…

Spring 2026 Trend #2 is Feminine details

This is one we’ve been talking about for while now, and it’s not going anywhere this season. One thing that’s a little new is lace for daywear–like lace trimmed cardigans and blouses that aren’t strictly for dinners and date nights–these are pieces that can be worn to the office and not get you called in to HR. We’re also seeing crochet pieces, as well as crochet trim on things like sweatpants and sneakers–extremely wearable for real life. And if you like really subtle details, there are tons of pretty tees with a little picot trim around the neckline. By the way, sometimes I do a quick check to make sure I’m pronouncing words correctly–because I never underestimate my ability to be wrong, and Google just told me the American pronunciation of this word is Pick-ut. Which, no. I guess I’m french now, because absolutely not will I call it pick-ut trim. Its pico

Anyway, a few more things that fall into the feminine details category–pointelle. Pointelle tshirts, sweaters, cardigans, even pajamas are everywhere this seasons. If it’s a knit, you can find it in pointelle. I’m especially loving pointelle socks with cute sneakers for spring. I will link my favorite in the Spring Trends Catalog, which is available in the shownotes. Pointelle is super feminine and springy, and also super wearable, which makes it one of my favorite trends for the season.

The other feminine detail trend that’s not going anywhere is tie front tops–like blouses and cardigans that close with the skinny string bows. These have been kicking around for a couple of years now and they’ve been a little tough to wear, because none of the women I know like to walk around with gaping holes in their tops, exposing your bra, your belly–whatever else you’ve got going. But online I’ve been seeing things styled with a layer under it a little more, so that might make it more wearable, but that doesn’t work well with fitted tops, or a lot of blouses–it just wrecks the look. So if you feel like you have to wear a layer, make sure your top still looks good that way. The other thing I’ve been seeing is cardigans that just tie with one bow right at the bust line–and this is a part of the 90’s throwback vibe we’re seeing a ton of this season. I don’t have time to talk about that fully today, but bust out those Delia’s catalogs, because the 90’s are back, baby. 

Moving on to Trend #3 which is patterns, we’ve got gingham and polka dots. We’ve covered both of these before, but they are everywhere in stores, so let’s talk about them. Are they new and never seen before? No. But they’re cute, trending, and extremely wearable, so they made the list. One thing I’m loving, which I do think looks fresh for Spring 2026 is brown gingham. Our Capsule girls know, we rounded up all the brown gingham we could find, and it was tricky because those pieces kept selling out as soon as we could find them. This is another one of those trends where, because it’s not new, you’ve got to work a little harder to make it look on trend. I know the Jcrew factory gingham shirt is a classic–it’s been around for well over a decade, but if you look at that, compared to a gingham workout set–which I will put in the catalog–you can see the difference. A classic pattern that’s having a moment on modern pieces just reads different than a classic pattern on a classic piece.

Which brings us to polka dots. Same thing here–the piece needs to look current for the pattern to look current. I’m not saying if you have something polka dot in your wardrobe already you should burn it and start over. I’m just saying a lot of women wonder why the pieces they already own, that fit the trend, don’t look noticeably modern or current. This is a big reason why. 

Now you might be wondering–why didn’t she mention florals? Well, because in the words of Miranda Priestly in Devil wears Prada–”Florals for spring? Groundbreaking”. Its spring, there are florals. But, there is one way florals are trending, and it is absolutely my favorite trend for Spring 2026, so I gave it it’s own spot.

Trend #4 is floral jeans.

Unless you are living under a rock, and by that I mean unless you haven’t walked through any store, or gotten any emails from any stores in the last 2 months, you already know that floral jeans are ev-ery-where. Y’all, I am obsessed! Why am I so obsessed? Let me count the ways:

#1- They stand out as a trend. Obviously we’ve seen jeans before, and obviously we’ve seen florals before, but they stand out as something new and different. This one, you CAN pair with a plain tee and actually look trendy. This one piece does all the work for you. You don’t have to do head to toe double floral denim to look intentional. One is plenty. 

Reason #2–So many women only buy trends from the waist up, and this helps introduce more interesting bottoms into your wardrobe, which most women are sorely lacking. 

Finally, #3, and this is the big one–You know how I’m always saying if you’re a jeans and a tshirt kind of woman, just buy better jeans and t-shirts? I think I said that 2 episodes ago in my BASIC formula, right? Well this is it. A pair of fun, floral jeans takes exactly as much time to put on as your medium dark wash straight legs do. But they look stylish. They look intentional, They look current. And you didn’t do any more work. Proving style doesn’t have to be difficult if you have the right pieces.

Now, I can already hear the pushback–but Jen, they’re so LOUD!. Yes, if you want them to be, they can be. They can also be quiet and subtle. There’s a version out there for everyone. Dark wash light wash, slim leg, barrel leg, tiny flowers, giant blooms–whatever you’re looking for, you can find.

But Jen, I’m too old for that. Girl, they sell them at Coldwater Creek and Talbots. No you’re not. 

But Jen, what if they’re not in style next year? You know, this one I’ll give you. They might not be, I have no way of knowing. I guess what you have to ask yourself is, how long would you need to wear them to justify the purchase? You can find them on sale for around $30 or you can spend $200 at Anthropologie or Nordstrom. How much you invest in them, and how long you’ll wear them, regardless of whether or not they’re trending is part of the equation, but the other part is, how much joy would they bring you. These jeans give me an irrational amount of joy, which I’m not going to deny myself this year because I might not have it next year. 

I feel like I just said something very profound just now, so do with that what you will. 

Moving on to trend #5 which is Waist detail tops.

The BIGGEST question I get about dressing bodies comes from women who have a defined waist–like hourglasses, some pears, some rectangles–is How do I highlight my waist while hiding my tummy, and if that describes your dilemma, the universe is smiling on you this season, so listen up. 

This season, we’re seeing a ton of blouses, shirts and tees that have things like a wrapped waist that ties on the side, or corset detailing, or even a twist right at the waist. That’s how you do it friends. You don’t have to put on a tight knit top and a belt over it which would yes, show your curves, but would also put everything else on display. These tops give you the movement and structure at the waist, while not being super clingy or revealing. If this is your dilemma, shop this season. Stock up. These tops were made for you.

Now, important point here I am not talking about the tops that tie right at the hem, and then you have the little sad bunny ears hanging over your crotch. Those are sadly coming back, but that’s not what we’re talking about. Those will do nothing for your waist. The tie is too low. If you want to do a tie hem top to define your waist, The tie and the hem have to be at your waist. Those are out there, but the sad bunny ear crotch tops will do nothing for your waist. 

Trend #6 is East West Handbags.

Nope your purses are not locked in an transcontinental rap battle. In this case, east west just means the orientation of your bag. Meaning, it is longer east to west than it is north to south. I have never stopped using east-west bags. North south bags drive me bananas, because everything falls to the bottom and you can’t find anything, and you know how much I love a practical trend.  These bags never really went anywhere, but they’re definitely more prominent this season, and a lot of the trending shapes we’re seeing are 90’s/early aughts inspired–the east west silhouette is more exaggerated which is what makes it look current. This season there are lots of long shoulder straps and top handles, and fewer crossbodies out there. And it’s funny because I’ve felt like I’ve had to have a crossbody strap for practicality, until I realize that unless I’m traveling, or at a concert, I never use the crossbody strap anymore, which is a good reminder to reevaluate where you’re at from time to time. When my kids were little, a hands-free bag was a must–but those days are gone, and I don’t have to make decisions with the same criteria. 

Anyway, updating your bag is an easy way to always have something current as part of your outfit–it just puts a nice current finish on your look.

Trend #7 is another accessory, and that is Mary Jane sneakers. 

Sneakers have been a huge part of trending fashion for well over a decade now, and mary janes have been big for a few years, and this season, they had a baby. Actually, they had a baby a couple of years ago, but I think now is the time when its reached the point where everyday women will feel comfortable wearing them. They’re in all the stores where you shop. It’s not just fashion girls or niche subcultures sporting them. They’re super easy to pair with athleisure pieces or jeans, and they look new and current. They’ll give your wardrobe a little kick in the style pants.

But, because I’ve been doing this for as long as I have, I know yall are going to have questions about how to wear these, and the biggest question is going to be “how do I wear socks with them”. Respectfully, you really don’t. I know that showing our socks is a thing now, and if you want to wear socks with your mary jane sneakers, I’m not going to stop you, but before you do, I want you to do a google image search for “mary jane sneakers with socks”. When you see women wearing this, I want you to ask yourself–is the rest of her outfit my style? If she’s dressed like a high fashion girlie or in a weird lolita schoolgirl outfit, even if the sock and shoe combo looks right on her, it does not mean its going to translate to your loft and talbots wardrobe the same way. When you’re looking for inspiration, or looking at how people are styling things, you have to consider the whole thing.

I think the tricky part of this one will be staying in the right lane, and not going too high fashion or trendy, where they just don’t look right with your wardrobe, or going too frumpy, making the rest of your outfit look dowdy too. Stay solidly in the middle though, and you’ve got a fun, current pair of shoes that’s great for everyday wear and even for traveling, as they can work with a lot of dressier outfits.

Moving onto Trend #8, which is my other favorite Spring 2026 trend, and that is short sleeve sweatshirts. This is absolutely one that is simply a retail trend, not a runway trend, but a couple of weeks ago, I took a little walk around the Mall of America and was shocked by how many I saw. Short sleeve sweatshirts have always been one of my wardrobe workhorses when it comes to seasonal transitions–either winter into spring, or summer into fall. A couple of years ago, I got something on my favorite gray one, and needed to replace it, but they were nowhere to be found. This year however, they’re everywhere–and in all kinds of styles. Crewneck, quarterzip, hoodie, puff sleeves, twist hem, every color you can imagine…you want it, it’s out there. At every price point. 

I mean, I don’t have a ton to say about these–it’s a short sleeve sweatshirt- its a basic piece that will go with a lot of stuff, its super practical for real life, but it looks a little updated and intentional, which is kind of everything I love in a trend.

We’re also seeing more short sleeve sweaters this season, which isn’t super new, but again, they’re great for transitional weather, so I’ll put a few that look fresh and modern in the Trends Catalog too. 

Alright, trend number 9 is one that comes and goes all the time–and that is utility styles. I was trying to think of how best to explain utility styles, so I just used the google machine, and here’s what I got.

Utility styles in women's clothing blend fashion with function, focusing on durable fabrics, muted earth tones, and practical details like pockets, zippers, and belts. Key pieces include cargo pants, jumpsuits (or boiler suits), utility jackets, and combat boots, often inspired by military or workwear apparel.

There you have it. I couldn’t have said it better myself. I don’t know that we’re seeing tons of combat boots for spring 2026, but the rest of it is definitely out there.

Pockets are key–like cargo pockets, or the big porkchop pockets on pants are everywhere–blouses with oversized chest pockets, skirts with patch pockets, chore jackets with pockets… so many pockets.

I’m seeing shirtdresses and jumpsuits with zippers, which is definitely a utility detail, and the soft olive color we talked about is definitely a part of this trend.

Another thing I’m seeing is utility pants, and even cargo pants in more current silhouettes…so not so much the joggers, or even straight legs–but barrel legs or widelegs.

I’m guessing a lot of you have the 2016 cinched waist utility jacket still in your closet, and those are out there too, but they’re not quite as prevalent as some other jackets–like a chore jacket with utility pockets for example. This is a good time to use my “is this current” strategy we talked about last spring in the dated episodes-which we will link to in the shownotes. If you’ve got utility pieces and you want to see if they’re still current. Go to the website of the stores that have the aesthetic you want, and see what their utility jackets look like. Does yours look like that? If so, great, it will help you get that style. If not, it won’t. It’s that simple

One thing I’ve been seeing a lot as I’ve been putting this episode together is utility pieces paired with feminine details–like utility pants paired with a lace trim cardigan and a pair of kitten heels. I love the juxtaposition there, and it makes the pieces feel really fresh, so think outside of the “utility pants and tee” box, and do more with your wardrobe.

Ok, last one for Spring 2026…it’s a jewelry trend, and that is sculptural pieces. The best way to describe what I’m talking about is pieces that have an abstract, kind of freeform look. Like you melted down some gold, poured it into an imprecise shape, and put it on a pendant. Hopefully that makes sense. Otherwise, just go to the Trends catalog and look at the examples.

This season we’re seeing these pendants on cords–either leather or satin. We’re seeing sculptural earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and even brooches, which is another trend that is carrying over from winter to spring.

Gold seems to be trending a little more, but there’s definitely silver out there too. Just like all of the trends, there’s something out there for everyone, which means there’s always a way to keep current while staying true to your own style

So There you have it–10 wearable trends for spring 2026. I hope this episode inspires you to try something new this season. As always, take what works for you, and leave the rest. The most important thing is that you have fun with style and feel great in whatever you wear.  

The homework this week is simple–head to the shownotes and take a look at the catalog. See which trends resonate with you, and maybe try a piece that looks completely different than anything else in your wardrobe. 

If you’re a member of the Style Circle, I know you’ve seen lots of these trends in the Spring Capsule Guide, but if you haven’t watched the season’s capsule overview video yet, I highly encourage you to check it out, because I talk about even more trends for the season there. 

If you’re not a member of the Style Circle yet, but you’re ready for the most stylish spring of your life, come join us–the link is in the shownotes. 

That’s it for this episode of the Everyday Style School. Thank you for spending time with me today. If you’re ready for easier, better style, come take my free workshop Style Made Simple, where you’ll discover why style has felt so hard–and how to make it easy for life. You can sign up at freestyleclass.com, or through the link in the shownotes.

I’ll see you next time–and until then, stay stylish!