Some people love to wear prints, while others are a bit sceptical; however, there is no doubt that prints add variety to any look and, subsequently, to any wardrobe. With the help of a specifically chosen print, it is possible to create a desired accent to highlight or conceal a particular part of an outfit. A correctly used print can help achieve a visually balanced look by enhancing or ever so slightly correcting. If you prefer solid-coloured clothing, explore this section for an additional tool to create memorable outfits.
This post will highlight prints that not only captivated everybody’s attention during the Autumn/Winter 2025–2026 runways but also held strong positions in Tagwalk analytics.
Plaid, stripes, floral and animal prints are familiar clothing patterns and have already become part of modern classics. However, with every season, the scale, placement or colour palettes of those prints can transform.
According to Patternbank’s Fall 2025 Catwalk Print & Pattern Trend Report, there are six key print directions, which range from reimagined florals to bold geometrics. Who What Wear, in their article, highlights at least 5 of those directions: snake print, 70s graphics, polka dots, and animal print dresses as the most influential looks, signalling the industry’s pivot away from quiet luxury toward expressive women’s clothing.
Print Trend #1: Floral
For Autumn/Winter 2025–2026, floral prints take on a more complex, refined role than they did during the Spring/Summer 2025 collections. Floral prints presented in muted, sophisticated palettes add depth to designer dresses and outerwear, moving away from summer’s brightness and becoming less about playful summer charm and more about understated elegance in women’s clothing.
Print Trend #2: Stripe
It is a well-known fact that stripes are timeless: a subtle graphic language that works seamlessly across everyday wear, business attire, and elegant evening looks. During Autumn/Winter 2025–2026, there has been a shift away from chunky sailor styles and a move towards two quite opposite stylistic directions.
On the one hand, stripes refined pencil-thin pinstripe suits, which convey confidence and polished sophistication. On the other hand, pinstripes were presented through oversized, untucked shirts, loose, slouchy trousers, and layered separates, transforming the print into something expressive and modern. It is expected to see them everywhere, from cozy striped cashmere sweaters and sleek designer dresses to high-end women’s clothing collections that prove stripes are no longer just about the office—they’re about understated power and intellectual style.
Print Trend #3: Plaid
Probably the most classic print in fashion associated with the autumn season is plaid. And without a doubt, during the Autumn/Winter 2025-2026 Fashion Weeks, plaid print secured its place as an essential autumn print in luxury fashion and women’s clothing collections worldwide once again. The print was used in creative ways through designer dresses, tailored outerwear, and statement separates, while traditionally it is usually used in cozy flannel shirts and classic checkered coats.
Print Trend #4: Polka Dot
Always timeless yet newly refreshed, polka dots take centre stage in luxury fashion for Autumn/Winter 2025–2026 Fashion Weeks. The print appearance ranged from minimalist to bold, runway statement details, offering more than just retro charm.
Polka dots are seen as a subtle visual hook that makes designer dresses, high-end women’s clothing collections, and fall fashion 2025 look not only chic but also unforgettable. As per “The 10 Biggest Trends From Fashion Week FW25” by Hypebae, acting as a natural evolution from last season’s surge in animal print clothing, polka dots now deliver a refined and modern edge. It brings lightness, femininity, and just the right touch of nostalgia.
From Jacquemus’ highly anticipated return at Paris Fashion Week to striking interpretations at Marc Jacobs in New York, designers are proving that dots are no longer just a playful classic; they are an evolving force in designer fashion.
Print Trend #5: Animal Print
Animal print has made a comeback as a powerhouse in luxury fashion, transforming women’s clothing collections into bold, statement pieces. However, one particular print took centre stage during multiple runway shows, and that was a snake print. Valentino sequinned it into high glamour, Chloé combined it with romantic ruffles, and Duran Lantink exaggerated it into sculptural forms. For the best results, try pairing snake print clothing with plaid for a striking contrast.
Beyond these classics, new contenders are rising—cow print, tiger stripes, and even wolf-inspired patterns—signalling a more intellectual approach to animal print fashion.
Designed to dominate fall fashion 2025 and elevate designer dresses, these wild prints are unapologetically powerful and styled to stand out, not blend in. Leopard print commanded attention at Saint Laurent in sleek PVC dresses and at Fendi in dramatic head-to-toe looks, while Balmain broke boundaries with striking zebra print outfits.
Print Trend #6: Tie-Dye
Although tie-dye print was not a headline print during the Fall/Winter 2025–2026 Fashion Weeks, it still has a strong presence throughout 2025 and continues to evolve in 2026. This season’s sophisticated colour palette features versions of tie-dye in deeper, trendy shades such as Lyons Blue and rich Damson wine (discover more about these shades and other Top Colours for A/W 2025/26 for Capsule Wardrobes), complemented by earthy neutrals. This allows creativity when styling tie-dye clothing in rich autumnal colour combinations. Additionally, modern tie-dye pairs well with classic neutral shades, such as white, cream, and camel, elevating it from casual to a contemporary, chic look.
For a fashion-forward look, try combining tie-dye prints with animal print or embellished detailing for a creative and daring outfit.
