Ins & outs for 2026
With a little help from a few of my fave Substack writers.
Owwww, it’s 2026 prediction time!
Now, I’m not a New Year’s Resolution-type person, though you all know I fuck with an ins & outs list. Yes, I know they’ve been done to death, but I still think they’re a fun little temperature check on what we’re feeling for before we wipe the proverbial slate clean and start again.
This year, it won’t just be me yapping. I’ve tapped Substack’s talent pool and reached out to some of my favorite writers in the game to lend me their thoughts.
To those who contributed, you know I am fan-girling so hard over here for each and every one of you. I’m overwhelmed with generosity towards this piece, especially given it’s such a busy time of year and I’ve loved reading everything that’s been shared.
Thank you for making this community so gorgeous. If I didn’t get around to picking your brain this time around and you’d love to work on something together, my DMs are always open.
Housekeeping - this is a big ass list. You might wanna read it in the app.
J’Nae Phillips, Fashion Tingz
First off the rank is from the author of one of the very first newsletters I hit “subscribe” on when I ventured into Substack. Each article genuinely leaves me feeling more educated as J’Nae unpacks fashion and culture with a rare clarity that’s accessible, nuanced and consistently thought-provoking. Here’s what she has to say…
Ins
Chaotic scheduling: planning my day exclusively around astrology, lunar phases, my monthly cycle, general vibes, and the whims of my pet cat Nugget.
Micro-escapes: 7-minute vacations where I stare at a photo of the ocean and a previous holiday I took, pretending my inbox no longer exists.
Clothing with a plot twist: shirts that look normal until you turn around and there’s a Victorian bustle or a motivational quote in Elvish. I want to wear more clothing that gets people talking (both to and about me, lol).
Friendship soft launches: introducing new friends via mysterious cameo appearances in my Instagram Stories with no explanation, and making digital friends IRL homies!
Garlic as a lifestyle: eating it, wearing it, manifesting with it - 2026 is the year of protective seasoning energy. You can never have enough garlic.
Outs
Competitive relaxation: we need to stop trying to “win” at self-care; no one is judging your bath routine except your rubber duck.
Muted beige emotions: I’m done with sand-coloured feelings; let’s bring back technicolour overreactions and emotions that hit the full spectrum of being a human being on this treacherous planet.
Hostage group chats: if a thread has more than 15 people, it should legally require an exit ramp. I’m no longer available for such nonsense.
Ergonomic minimalism: chairs that look like sculptures but feel like moral punishment are officially cancelled. I have wasted too much money on these!
Over-optimised everything: let’s retire the idea that every hobby must become a monetised “side hustle” or something we have to do to get the most out of it. Can I just paint and be bad at it in peace?
Mandy Lee, Cyclical
Next is someone who certainly needs no introduction (but I’ll do one anyway because I am overjoyed to have her notes!). Ever enamoured by her foresight and cultural critiques, I asked the mother of freaky shoes herself, the inimitable Old Loser in Brooklyn, Mandy Lee, to share some of her glorious wisdom on the year to come.
Ins
Spontaneous plans and dropping by your friend’s house just because.
Gloves and hand motifs.
Clear shoes.
This makes me sick, but visible sternums are the next impossible body standard trend. What I’m seeing and the language surrounding it feel eerily similar to the thigh-gap trend from the late 2000s/early 2010s.
Rain and weather-specific gear.
Outs
Huge diamond engagement rings (natural and lab-grown).
Tabis and Vibrams.
Perfect haircuts.
Calling yourself a cool girl instead of just being a cool girl.
Elaborate nail sets. I think the term “recession indicator” is severely overused, but it applies here - I have been noticing the slow death of extravagant artistic long nail sets in favor of short, simple and even bare nails.
Molly Rooyakkers, Style Analytics
I’ve spent much of my fashion career making data sexy, so I can appreciate a good-looking chart when I see one. If you’re cut from the same cloth, I’m sure you’re also no stranger to the powerhouse behind Style Analytics, here to spill some tea…
Ins
Stats with context.
Keeping everything.
Finding inspiration.
Observations.
Challenging your point.
Outs
Rogue data points.
Closet cleanouts.
Finding your personal style.
Predictions.
Proving your point.
Bianca O’Neill
A Melbourne icon and possibly the sharpest journo out there. I am always in awe of Bianca’s writing, from her no-holds-barred critiques on fashion and diet culture to her hilarious red carpet, wedding dress convention and Brownlow (that’s the WAGs for non-Aussies) reviews. Here’s Bianca’s take and her thoughts on in and out lists.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what real luxury is in a world where AI can create art for you, an injection can make you look young instantly, and fashion houses are selling intentionally trashed pieces as a response to waning consumer interest in expensive brands. Luxury increasingly feels like time spent well, the satisfaction of putting in effort, the privilege of using your brain, the creation of something that enriches your creativity. Perhaps the warm embrace of offline pursuits, natural ageing, even dinky crafts that you’re unreasonably proud of.
As a fashion journalist (amongst other things), I am deeply aware that a list of ins and outs can seem frivolous or out of touch with the world climate, but perhaps they can represent a deeper want for ourselves; an insight into how we wish to grow over the next year, and beyond. So, here are my own wants for the year ahead.
Ins
Thrifting and vintage shopping as default.
Ecclecticism > monoculture.
RTFA.
A global fast fashion tax.
Consuming culture in other languages.
Ageing as a privilege, not a problem.
Outs
Chat GPT as a replacement for connection.
A Met Gala run by Amazon.
Falling for rage bait.
AI billionaires stealing creative IP to replace the creatives who made it in the first place.
Thinking being overbooked/busy/overscheduled is a flex.
Professionalising your hobbies.
Viv Chen, The Molehill
If you subscribe to The Molehill, you’ll know it’s the newsletter equivalent of a no-skips album. Each post is chock full of Viv’s unique perspective, delicious color combos and dreamy outfits, and I am so chuffed to have her insights included here in our humble newsletter.
Ins
Learning pole dance in your 30s.
Industry Season 4 babyyyyy.
A Monah Li dress revival.
Gothic letter engraved accessories (lockets, lighters, etc)
Tattoos
Outs
AI Styling Apps.
Packing peanuts.
The overuse of “RARE” on Depop listings.
The Substack leaderboard.
Fake Aesop soap bottles in restaurant bathrooms (just keep the original target brand bottle, I would respect it more).
Aoife Byrne, Between Friends
An IRL and Substack bestie (the one who encouraged me to start my own newsletter), Aoife and I worked side-by-side for seven years and I consider her one of my nearest and dearest. She’s my go-to person to trade cat photos and talk books, film, fashion and art, and you’ll find her newsletter brings the exact same energy - cozy, effortless and like settling into a conversation Between Friends.
Ins
Brogues - Loafers have been in for so long, it’s time we saw something new. On the SS26 runways, Miu Miu was one of several designers who backed the brogue. This is a footwear trend we haven’t seen in some time and it feels like the right time for a revival, offering an update on the preppy dress shoe.
Military jackets - I flagged this one in my Top 5 Trends From SS26 Fashion Week post. Part Indie Sleaze, part response to the world events, brass buttons and frog closures are coming for your wardrobe next year. I noticed that Urban Outfitters is already selling a bunch this fall.
Weird pants. I want to see more weird pants in 2026. If barrel leg can hit the mainstream, we can do anything. My money is on culottes, skousers, and harem pants.
Movie clubs - Everyone and their mother seems to be doing a movie club at the moment, and I’m here for it. While I love the idea of a book club, I’m a slow reader and pretty picky about the books I consume. I’ll give pretty much any movie a go and anything that reduces the amount of time I spend scrolling on Netflix/Disney/Prime is a win.
Outs
Book clubs - see movie club.
Fantasy books.
Super wide-leg pants - we need weirder, or failing that, slimmer styles next year, please.
Bows - I think it’s high time that the nail went in this coffin.
Emilee Russell, It’s Critical
If you haven’t opened It’s Critical on your desktop, do yourself a solid - it’s a FEAST for the senses. Eye-popping collages. MOVING teaser images? (Get outta here!) Sharing my love of snark, Emilee delivers whip-smart writing that makes fashion criticism, well, critical again. I was delighted to receive her hilarious hot takes for 2026. Magicians? Greek yoghurt? She’s got notes…
Ins
Color blocking. I’ve recently discovered (after 27 long years) that my clothes don’t have to “match,” they just have to “go together.” So, I’ve been color-blocking with all kinds of visually pleasing colors, inspired by recent Tory Burch, Prada, Fendi, and Loewe SS26 shows. My favorite combos right now are cherry red + cobalt blue or orange + olive green + brown.
Following influencers in places other than New York and Los Angeles. I wrote a whole newsletter about this, but in 2026 and beyond, I want to diversify my fashion lens. New York is wonderful, but I want to see fresh influencers from other cities or even smaller towns.
Coffee (and dessert) after dinner. Coffee is the perfect way to complete a meal - it’s chic, it’s needed, it’s delicious.
Clothes cosplaying as other clothes. A creative trend that I’m totally here for. A scarf as a belt. A pinned sweater as a scarf. A tied button-up shirt as a skirt. It’s fun and whimsical, and it gives us an opportunity to play with what we already have and breathe new life into our pieces, rather than going out to acquire “net new” items.
Magicians. Yeah, this is random, BUT I was recently VERY wowed by a magician and just want to say that we need to normalize “magic” as a viable hobby again. I’d love to see the youth of today off their phones and into doing #cooltricks. Where are our Gen Z Penn & Teller?? Criss Angel??
Outs
Paying full price for a designer bag. Call me a hater, but I just think (with all the resale opportunities, the secondhand market being bigger than ever right now and the overall accessibility) it’s financially irresponsible to walk into a designer store and straight up buy a handbag. You could realistically take like 30 minutes (if that) and find the same bag on TRR in practically mint condition for a fraction of the retail price. The end.
Athleisure. I think wearing athletic clothes to hangouts and gatherings has become way too normalized (in the US). It feels lazy. Yes, it’s comfortable, but so are a lot of nice pieces you could be wearing instead !! Let’s bring back effort.
Celebrity-fueled campaigns. I’m so sick of seeing uninspiring celebrity brand campaigns for the sake of “star power.” It’s boring. Next!
Buying shoes too impulsively and without trying them on. I have a graveyard of shoes I didn’t vet enough when buying that ended up being insanely uncomfortable, OR give me blisters, OR don’t fit “quite right.” In 2026, I'm going to be way more picky about the shoes I’m buying - maybe even creating a checklist to go through every time I plan to buy a pair!!
Greek yogurt. Listen, I don’t dislike Greek yogurt, but it’s almost become the ONLY option nowadays. When I go to the grocery store, I have to dig through 50 kinds of Greek yogurt to find the two options of regular yogurt, and anytime I get a parfait, I’m met with the horrible realization that it’s PLAIN greek yogurt. Regular vanilla yogurt tastes better. It’s not as thick or heavy feeling. It’s smooth. It’s amazing. I’m not saying we get rid of Greek yogurt, but we need OPTIONS.
MacKinley Jade, Yeehawt
A certified Hauttie (would that make me a Yeehawtie?), I’m obsessed with Mac’s wordsmithery and curatorial chops around pieces that blur the line between ugly and capital F fashion. You may have clocked my recent feature in the post The Best Gifts 21 Fashion Writers Have Ever Received? Now it’s my turn to spotlight Mac!
In:
Empire waist
Pixie cuts
Cropped leggings under skirts and shorts
Messenger bags
Cunty little jackets that are pretty useless at keeping you warm
Out:
AI
Canceling plans for bullshit reasons (most of them these days)
Light wash denim
International bachelorette trips
AI again, but more firm
Jay Clough, Bureau of Eating & Drinking
Fellow Melbournian and brunch skeptic, Jay is a razor-sharp food critic and writer. He’s my best person to talk global food recs and pop girlies. To mix things up on the fashion front, I asked him to share his thoughts on the restaurant scene. He more than delivered, though I felt I caught some strays here…
Ins
Social closening. Handshakes, high-fives and the odd consensual hug between staff and diners are back on the menu.
Unironic branded moist towelettes in restaurants. Functional chic.
Reclaiming naff 90s drinks. Blue curacao boy summer is here, catch me at TGI Fridays.
Other rare breed, ethical producers on fancy menus: Aurum poultry, Korubuta Berkshire pork, Magra lamb.
Adult jelly. Who will be the first chef to bring the Frog in a Pond back into vogue? (Editor’s note: this is an Australian delicacy - consult recipe if you’re a trend setter.)
Outs
Snoot, sass, ‘sirs’, ‘madames’ and stiff sequences of services. Less fine dining, more fun dining.
AI artwork on venue social feeds and menus. Instant unfollow.
Making martinis your entire personality (Editor’s note - What the fuck, Jay?!)
Wagyu beef. Fatty baby food meat for people with weak chew games.
Tiramisu. Rarely good, completely overexposed, just eat a big mouthful of cream from the fridge at home and order a real dessert.
Eleanor, Rabbit Fur Coat
A gem of a newsletter from a multi-hyphenate author, Eleanor is a second-hand connoisseur chronicling daily outfits, fashion musings, the treasures she finds and the ones she walks away from. She’s kindly dropped her take on what’s in and out for 2026 below.
Ins
A group chat for daily outfit selfies: All of my friends, take note—you are welcome to send me your outfit selfies! I always want to see what you are wearing.
Sharing clothes with your friends: My favorite way to do this is: “This is yours if you want it—I will never ask for it back. But if you get tired of it, just return it.” I would so much rather see a friend in a pair of my old jeans than stick them in a bag destined for the consignment store and forget about them for months. That energy will come back around to you!In-person shopping: eBay is great, but I need to remember that I live in one of the best shopping cities in the world! It’s good to see what’s out there, to feel the fabric with your hands, to surprise yourself by buying something you didn’t even know you were looking for. There is no small thrill quite like tugging closed the heavy velvet curtain of a dressing room, to find yourself briefly undressed and alone in public.
Knowing your neighbors: I’m going to give you an assignment. By the end of 2026, I want you to know the name of the person who delivers your mail. I want you to feel comfortable asking your neighbor to move your car for street sweeping when you’re out of town. I want you to keep an eye on your neighbor’s kid when they need to run back inside.
Zines: You don’t have to make them to appreciate them! To make a zine is to swim against the endless tide of soulless AI art, to combine human interest, obsession, and error in a way that can’t yet be replicated.
Outs
“This would be perfect if...”: That means it’s not perfect. Take a photo and move on! I promise you’ll find pants that don’t wrinkle in a weird way when you sit. You don’t need these ones just because they’re there.
Final sale on the RealReal: My friend, if you have been sold a false bill of goods (i.e., purchased something that was listed as a 30” inseam but is actually only 27”, or labeled a size “M” but actually only comes in numerical sizes, or described as “silk” but is actually viscose)... you can return it! You just have to email customer service. I get that final sale is a gamble, and I am happy to accept the terms of that bargain if everything I receive is as described. But I will not stand for it under false pretenses.
Uncomfortable shoes: These are always out for me—sometimes I just need a reminder. Knowing I can easily walk five miles in a day without even thinking about my feet will always trump a very cute but slightly uncomfortable shoe.
New leather goods: There is so much good old stuff out there! If you need a leather good and cannot find it secondhand, DM me and I will help you!
Asking people what they do for work: The best conversations I’ve had with strangers have almost never started with that question. Some of my recent favorite things to ask are: What’s the last thing you made that you were proud of? Who do you think has the dumbest tattoo in this room, and what is it? What conspiracy theory would be easiest to convince you of? Thank me later! (Editor’s note - it’s me, I have the dumbest tattoo in the room.)
Kayla Marci, Haute Garbage
Oh, it’s me! If you’re new here, I’m a writer. I document what I wear and discuss the chaos around us through a fashion lens. I wish burnout wasn’t my entire personality, but hey, that’s capitalism, baby! Now here’s my take…
Ins
Maximalist flatforms. Less The Row Emis, more Vivienne Westwood Rocking Horses.
We’ve bought back wired headphones, so I raise you Grandma-esque glasses chains.
Muffs on a night out.
Garters as layering.
Hand-drawn everything as an antidote to AI sloppery.
It’s been a major moment for polka dots, with spots becoming more organic, irregular and spaced out. Meanwhile, animal print has shifted into softly speckled (deer coat girlies, rise up). The next print evolution feels inevitable - ceramic-inspired markings that are mineral, molten and imperfect. Especially as we value artisan-coded, handmade and hobbies amid AI backlash.
I hate to say this, but there will be a V-neck revival. I’m not happy about this.
Poland for your next holiday. As a citizen, I’m biased, but Rosalía agrees with me.
Pot Luck Court Room as a cooking show. DEATH ROW!!!!
Pouch bags. Pouches for flowers, pouches for baguettes, pouches around your neck. Pouches.
Theatrical dressing. I want to see some drama.
Press studs and toggles as embellishments to replace 2025’s rivets and non-functional buttons trend.
Pirate blouses.
Cargo pants. You couldn’t scroll without seeing them in 2022, though they lost momentum when mainstream fashion started doing Girlhood and Quiet Luxury. They’ll be back next year, with a softer, more femme spin.
Being selfish.
Outs
Breaking the internet - it’s already broken. Please stop. I only want to see content or products that will heal the internet.
Not in the least groundbreaking, but Labubus. I spoke to Inside Retail about this in September and just want to toot my own horn. Toot toot.
Valentino Rock Stud propaganda. Don’t fall for it, we’re not doing this again. My first industry job was in footwear buying and this trend was severely over-indexed. Granted, dupe culture wasn’t a big thing back then, but I have PTSD from all the meetings discussing what to do with the studded monstrosities - we could not give them away.
Correcting people who misuse idioms. They’re not hurting anyone. I also often find the new phrase can be more charming than the original. Once at a busy restaurant, my friend Beccy accidentally said, “Every cat and its dog is here,” and it’s now become one of my favorite sayings.
Ski resort campaigns.
Texting while high.
Western and rodeo-inspired fashion.
Telling people “they’ve still got it.” It’s not a compliment.
Unnecessary hybridizing of third spaces. Bathhouses and cafes do not need to be sober raves.
Celebrity Halloween costumes. I don’t want to see Hollywood-level prosthetics; show me what the scrappy little freaks are wearing.
Calling bikinis ‘kinis.
“Beauty” supplements.
Brands using versions of “it’s giving…” in holiday advertising. The only thing it’s giving is lazy.
Suffix-maxxing.
That’s us done readers! As always, feel free to sounds off in the comments on what YOU want to see more of and what deserves to be left in the garbage. Thanks for sticking through until the end and another huge thank you, love you to all the wonderful writers that contributed.
Everyone hates ai and I think that’s beautiful <3
❤️❤️❤️ these are all so gooood. #deathtoai — thanks for featuring me alongside these legends