Of the 20 trends that dominated Spring 2015, our verdict is that flares and wide-leg denim made the biggest comeback, while the chic apron faded fastest. This is the original 20-trend list from the 2015 runways (New York, London, Paris and Milan), re-judged from October 2026 on which pieces are still worth buying.
Spring 2015 fashion trends at a glance
| # | Trend | Our 2026 verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gingham | Still wearable |
| 2 | Fringe | Comes and goes |
| 3 | Medium-Size Obi Belts | Still wearable |
| 4 | Kimono-Style Trench Coats | Still wearable |
| 5 | Yellow | Accent only |
| 6 | Statement Stripes | Still wearable |
| 7 | Flares | Came back |
| 8 | Denim | Came back |
| 9 | One-Shoulder Cuts | Evening staple |
| 10 | Polo-Style Shirts | Basic |
| 11 | Black and White | Permanent |
| 12 | Shirtdresses | Permanent |
| 13 | Culottes | Comes and goes |
| 14 | Suede | Comes and goes |
| 15 | Bride Wear | Season-specific |
| 16 | All Floral | Permanent |
| 17 | See-Through Looks | Comes and goes |
| 18 | Trouser Suit | Permanent |
| 19 | Blue and White | Still wearable |
| 20 | The Chic Apron | Faded |
The verdicts are our editorial opinion, not sales data. We called a trend “permanent” when the piece is a wardrobe basic, and “faded” when we would not expect to see it on the street today.
1. Gingham
Brigitte Bardot and American barn dances gave this plaid its reputation, and it was the print of the 2015 season. (Oscar de la Renta, Diane von Furstenberg, Altuzarra)
Seasonal classic. It never left picnics and summer shirts, so it passes the test.
2. Fringe
After a Wild West season, fringe got finer: black pieces with colourful fraying, or one piece in one colour. The keyword was movement. (Tibi, Tory Burch, Rachel Comey)
Fringe returns every few years in some form. It only works as a single statement, so keep it to one piece.
3. Medium-Size Obi Belts
An Asian-inspired accessory with one instruction: knot it to the side and show off the waist. Traditional obi were once tied at the front, then moved to the side and back, so the knot has always been a fashion decision. (Suno, BCBG, Rebecca Taylor)
A wide waist belt still works over a coat or shirtdress today.
4. Kimono-Style Trench Coats
Comfortable, wrap-front and long, this was the coat that pushed Asian influences into the trench. (Tibi, Tracy Reese, Thakoon)
A wrap silhouette in a light coat remains easy to wear. Check for a belt you can tie, not a button front.
5. Yellow
The runways went from amber and saffron to mustard and marigold. (Michael Kors, Cushnie et Ochs, Rosie Assoulin)
Mustard and butter shades are easy accents. A full yellow coat is a commitment.
6. Statement Stripes
Designers turned the classic stripe 90 degrees and went vertical. (Tibi, Tommy Hilfiger, Altuzarra)
Vertical stripes lengthen the line of the body, which is why they keep coming back.
7. Flares
Skinny pants had overstayed their welcome, and the bellbottom came back in a modern, minimal form. (Coach, Theory)
This one aged best. Flares and bell-bottoms were back on runways in 2022, and the wide-leg shape followed in 2023.
8. Denim
Cropped and baggy cuts, plus denim dresses, jumpsuits and coats. (Adam Selman, Karen Walker, Rodebjer)
The baggy half of this call proved right. Wide-leg jeans enjoyed a revival in the 2020s.
9. One-Shoulder Cuts
Shoulders were the hottest part of the look again, a few years after the last one-shoulder wave. (Ralph Lauren, Tanya Taylor, Jill Stuart)
A one-shoulder dress is a dependable evening choice, though few call it a trend now.
10. Polo-Style Shirts
Sportswear kept creeping into the wardrobe: knitted or buttoned polos with a collar to show off. (Ralph Lauren, Alexander Wang, Hugo Boss)
Sporty tops stayed. The polo is now a smart-casual basic rather than a news item.
11. Black and White
A classic that came with crazy patterns and silhouettes. (Thakoon, DKNY, Public School)
Monochrome never needs a revival. The pairing is permanent.
12. Shirtdresses
Drop waists, vertical stripes and double high slits. A shirtdress borrows from menswear with a collar, button front or cuffs, usually in crisp fabric. (Altuzarra, Rebecca Minkoff, Charlotte Ronson)
Perennial. A belt defines the waist and the shape works across seasons.
13. Culottes
Cropped pants went one step further. Pair them with heels and a blazer to define the silhouette. (Tibi, Thakoon, J. Crew)
Wide cropped trousers have their moments. Test the fit sitting down.
14. Suede
After a big autumn and winter run, suede stayed for spring: trench coats, pants, vests and A-line skirts. (Derek Lam, Gucci, Jason Wu)
Suede is a seasonal material that appears in different pieces each year.
15. Bride Wear
Whites and white lace, from mini dresses to Victorian looks. A good year to plan a wedding, said the original. (Louis Vuitton, Chloé, Givenchy)
Lace and white dresses are still the base of many bridal looks, but as a trend it was always tied to one season.
16. All Floral
Fresher, bigger and more abstract prints than before. (Miu Miu, Chanel, Marni)
Spring florals are as dependable as the weather. Sizes and colours change each year.
17. See-Through Looks
Transparent fabrics had been working their way up for several seasons and bloomed that spring: sexy, elegant and light on the body. (Roberto Cavalli, Ports 1961, Valentino)
Transparent fabrics keep returning on red carpets and in layered looks.
18. Trouser Suit
Menswear inspiration again, with cowbell belts and pinstripes. Cropped trousers were non-negotiable. (Chanel, Céline, NINI)
The tailored suit remained a wardrobe pillar, with fit the only thing that changed.
19. Blue and White
A fresher spin on black and white for anyone bored by monochrome. (Alice+Olivia, Adeam, Herve Leger by Max Azria)
Easy and summery. A nautical staple that never left.
20. The Chic Apron
A layering trick for the bold: skirts worn over other pieces, like minis or pencil skirts over accordion dresses, oversize shirts and pants. (Donna Karan, Peter Som, Ostwald Helgason)
Our pick for the one that faded fastest. Layered skirt over trousers is a hard sell in an office.
Suede had been a major trend in the autumn and winter collections before it carried into spring.
FAQ
What were the biggest fashion trends of Spring 2015?
Gingham, fringe, obi belts, kimono-style trench coats, yellow, vertical stripes, flares, denim and shirtdresses led a 20-trend list built from the New York, London, Paris and Milan shows.
Which Spring 2015 trends came back in the 2020s?
Flared trousers were back on runways in 2022 and wide-leg shapes in 2023, and baggy and wide-leg jeans enjoyed a revival in the 2020s. Both were on the Spring 2015 list.
Which Spring 2015 trend faded fastest?
In our view, the chic apron, a skirt layered over dresses and trousers, is the one least likely to be worn on the street today.
Are obi belts and kimono coats still wearable?
Yes. A wide belt knotted to the side and a wrap-style coat remain easy pieces, because the shapes are simple and flattering.
Is this list the current Spring 2026 trend report?
No. It is the Spring 2015 list, re-judged in October 2026 for what still works. A current season needs its own list.
How we put this list together
The 20 trends come from the Spring 2015 shows in New York, London, Paris and Milan. The 2026 verdicts are our own opinion, plus verified notes on the return of flared and wide-leg shapes.
Last updated: October 2026.
