Lauren Cochrane

Vintage shopping bags from Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Netto and Waitrose are becoming collectible items, with examples selling for around £10 on eBay, Vinted and Depop and searches on Vinted reportedly up 35% year on year. Collectors and cultural commentators link the trend to nostalgia and a renewed desire for tangible objects, while the Paper Bag Archive frames old bags as records of social history and changing design tastes. The M&S St Michael branding is especially popular, including through a new Aries collaboration featuring a £90 leather tote styled after the historic carrier bag. The revival contrasts with the decline of single-use plastic bags following the UK’s 2015 charge, while free canvas bags from fashion and grocery brands have also become secondhand fashion and status items.

Harvey Nichols has been put up for sale after recording a £35.3m pre-tax loss in 2024 and failing to return to profit since the pandemic. Frasers Group and Next are bidding for the retailer, while Mike Ashley has described it as being in a “death spiral.” Retail experts argue that Harvey Nichols has lost its distinctive identity as competitors attract emerging designers, but say a renewed design-led strategy could restore its appeal. Recent changes under chief executive Julia Goddard and creative director Kate Phelan include a Knightsbridge redesign, expanded jewellery, new designers and curated objects, although the retailer’s digital offering still needs improvement.

Marks & Spencer’s sale of Ann Summers crotchless underwear has prompted online criticism, but retail and lingerie experts describe it as a natural extension of the retailer’s evolving underwear range and its strategy of hosting third-party brands. The partnership may help M&S appeal to younger shoppers, who accounted for a growing share of its underwear sales, while also generating publicity. The controversy is placed in historical context: M&S has repeatedly followed changing lingerie trends, and open-crotch garments were more common before the 1920s than modern reactions suggest.

Wedding fashion is moving toward more experimental bridalwear, with celebrities such as Charli xcx and Gabbriette, alongside brands including Dilara Findikoglu, Weddings & Funerals and Wed, challenging the traditional white princess gown. Designers and commentators say modern brides increasingly want clothing that expresses their existing identity rather than transforming them for a single day. The trend has historical precedents, including Elizabeth Taylor's yellow dress and Yoko Ono's sneakers, but arrives as marriage becomes less common among younger people. Alternative bridalwear may make marriage more culturally relevant to Gen Z while still operating within conventional bridal rituals; its advocates nevertheless stress personal choice over copying celebrity styles.

Sinéad O’Dwyer’s Fashion in Motion show at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum used models and performers across a wide range of body sizes and offered £5 public tickets. The event highlights O’Dwyer’s challenge to fashion’s traditional reliance on thin bodies, while new data shows that 97.6% of models in autumn/winter 2026 were straight-size. Interviewees attribute the retreat from body diversity to broader political and cultural shifts, including the rise of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, and argue that manufacturing costs, industry bias and inadequate financial support remain barriers. They also stress that excluding mid-size and plus-size consumers overlooks substantial purchasing power and alienates much of the population.

Ringer T-shirts are experiencing a renewed surge in popularity, driven by nostalgia, retro cultural references and current trends such as colour-blocking and vintage aesthetics. High-street and luxury brands are embracing the style, with analysts noting strong projected growth among younger consumers. Fashion historians link the garment’s appeal to its blend of wholesome mid-century origins and associations with 70s rock culture, while designers emphasize its comforting familiarity. Rising demand is tied to broader consumer desires for timeless, character-rich clothing during periods of social and economic uncertainty.

Players at Wimbledon are using pre‑match walk‑on outfits to make bold fashion statements, with Naomi Osaka leading the trend through elaborate custom pieces inspired by Japanese dress and pop‑culture references. Designers and analysts describe these outfits as a form of psychological armour, branding opportunity and personal expression, while opinions among players vary on their competitive impact. Fashion‑driven walk‑on moments have become a growing commercial and cultural space within tennis, supported by major brands and increasingly embraced across the sport, despite occasional resistance from some athletes.

Public figures including Thomas Tuchel, Andy Burnham and Callum Turner have contributed to renewed attention on polo shirts, driving increased sales and online interest. The garment’s appeal spans celebrity, sports and politics, supported by both trend cycles and its association with preppy, youth and working‑class styles. Fashion experts attribute its staying power to versatility, cultural history and an understated confidence, while brands such as Marks & Spencer and Octobre Editions benefit from rising demand.

Dior’s menswear show in Paris shifted to an early morning slot due to extreme heat, presenting Jonathan Anderson’s latest collection blending luxury with indie sleaze influences through metallics, sequins, ripped jeans and deconstructed tailoring. Anderson described the designs as shaped by renewed youth nightlife and rave culture, while balancing the expectations of established Dior clients with new audiences. The collection extends Dior’s recent efforts to stay visible in luxury hotspots, backed by Anderson’s strong commercial track record and projections of continued brand growth.

Louis Vuitton presented a surf‑themed menswear show in Paris during extreme heat, featuring sand-covered grounds, an artificial wave and designs by Pharrell Williams. The event sparked controversy over the use of university gardens, prompting protests and a petition from residents and unions. Celebrity attendees included Missy Elliott, Jeremy Allen White and Victor Wembanyama, while the brand continued bolstering its cultural influence through high-profile collaborations and museum sponsorships. Saint Laurent also showcased a slim‑silhouette collection earlier in the day, drawing notable guests such as Madonna, who later performed at a party.

Bright pink has become a defining visual trend of the 2026 World Cup, with players, officials and brands prominently featuring the colour. Experts attribute its prominence to strong visibility on screens, shifting fashion influences from trends like Barbiecore, and the growing acceptance of pink in men’s sports. Historical use of pink in football, increased cultural openness and high-profile adoption by figures such as Lionel Messi have solidified the colour’s presence across kits and footwear, helping it stand out as a symbol of modern football branding and style.

Celebrities including Taylor Swift, Timothée Chalamet, the Haim sisters, Kylie Jenner and A$AP Rocky have amplified fashion attention at the New York Knicks’ NBA finals games by wearing custom or branded outfits in team colors. Style commentators highlight that players such as Victor Wembanyama and Jordan Clarkson have elevated courtside fashion expectations, while social media culture drives celebrities toward highly shareable, meme-ready looks.

Older male celebrities including Brad Pitt, Daniel Craig, Gary Lineker and Ian Wright are driving a trend toward distinctive ‘hot professor’ glasses, reframing age-related eyewear as a fashion statement. Stylists and fashion experts note that older men are embracing bold frames as an accessible way to signal personal style, with eyewear retailers observing increased interest in expressive designs. This shift reflects growing confidence among older men in curating their appearance and using eyewear as a subtle but meaningful form of self-expression.

David Hockney’s distinctive personal style evolved from early bold colour choices and statement glasses to the eclectic mix of rugby shirts, tweed suits and bright accessories that made him a fashion icon. Designers such as Christopher Bailey and Paul Smith drew inspiration from his unpolished yet striking approach to colour, while his self-portraits and photographs helped cement his influence on modern fashion culture. His later years continued this visual flair, with tailored suits and unconventional touches such as yellow Crocs admired even by King Charles.

Photographer Greg Brennan recounts how he captured his well‑known 2007 image of Kate Moss outside the Donmar Warehouse, clarifying that tabloids misrepresented the circumstances as evidence of drunkenness despite it being early evening. He describes the chaotic media environment surrounding Moss at the time, the chance moment that allowed him to take the photograph, and why the image continues to resonate, particularly with young women who view Moss as an icon. Brennan reflects on changes in celebrity photography over his 37‑year career and notes his preference for the 1990s era, before social media transformed how celebrities present themselves.

Teams arriving for the 2026 World Cup are showcasing distinct fashion identities, with collaborations from luxury and streetwear brands shaping pre‑tournament style. Players such as Lamine Yamal, Virgil van Dijk and Jude Bellingham stand out for confident or refined looks, while national teams including the Netherlands, Spain, Germany and Japan present coordinated outfits reflecting cultural or design influences. Rising fashion awareness in football, amplified by social media, is driving closer ties between players and major fashion brands.

New York mayor Zohran Mamdani drew widespread attention by wearing a custom Arsenal kurta to Eid al-Adha prayers, blending football fandom with cultural and religious expression. The outfit, created by Jason Andrew amid a shortage of club shirts after Arsenal’s title win, sparked mixed reactions but resonated strongly with Muslim supporters who viewed it as a symbol of visibility and inclusion. Commentators noted how the gesture aligned with Arsenal’s diverse global fanbase and the club’s history of culturally expressive kit designs. Community leaders suggested the look could inspire future Muslim-focused Arsenal apparel ranges.

A visual review of standout national team kits for the 2026 World Cup highlights design inspirations ranging from cultural motifs and historic references to modern reinterpretations. Multiple kits receive praise for bold patterns, traditional influences and aesthetic upgrades, with brands such as Adidas, Nike and Puma featured prominently across admired designs.

Pep Guardiola’s decade at Manchester City transformed managerial fashion, evolving from a schoolboy-like look to a refined, influential style that shaped trends across football. His adoption of designer pieces, from cardigans and combat trousers to modern menswear staples, drew increasing attention, and he credited his former wife Cristina Serra for elevating his wardrobe. Guardiola’s fashion choices regularly went viral and broadened the expectations for how managers present themselves on the touchline.

Older women over 70 drew significant attention on the Cannes red carpet, reflecting a broader rise in age diversity in both film promotion and the fashion industry. High-profile figures including Joan Collins, Jane Fonda, Catherine Deneuve and Isabella Rossellini showcased designer looks while experts noted a cultural shift toward greater visibility for older women. Fashion brands have increasingly featured models over 40, aligning with demographic trends showing a growing older population. Despite progress, concerns remain about limited racial and body diversity among those celebrated on the red carpet, though analysts suggest further representation may follow as more actors age into these roles.

Exercise slides, led by models such as Nike Mind and Hoka recovery shoes, are gaining traction in both athletic and fashion circles as part of a broader trend in unconventional footwear. While their designs appeal to runners and style-focused consumers, experts question claims about performance benefits and caution against overuse. Despite skepticism, the booming running culture and increased investment in athletic gear are driving wider adoption, blurring the line between functional sportswear and fashion accessories.

Live coverage of the 2026 Met Gala highlights co-chairs Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams, a strong focus on the event’s “Fashion is Art” theme, and notable red carpet looks ranging from sculptural designs to performance-style outfits. Tech companies’ major presence and activist criticism of Jeff Bezos are noted, along with expected protests. Celebrity arrivals, designer references and artistic interpretations dominate the evening’s reporting as the gala opens the Costume Institute’s new Condé Nast Galleries.

Sade Adu’s minimalist, elegant aesthetic continues to resonate as the band enters the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with her signature look celebrated across exhibitions, pop culture references, and younger fans online. Fashion designers, curators and contemporaries describe the roots of her style in jazz-club culture, classic glamour and her own fashion training, highlighting her influence across generations and her enduring status as a model of simplicity, confidence and modernity.