Each season we take a look at the best runway fashion trends for women. Fall 2026 was amazing, and offered us new designs and inspiration to style with pieces we may already own. But there are always those trends that leave us scratching our heads. So I put together a list of the worst trends for fall 2026.
We understand the runway is a stage and designers often take creative license. They want to add drama, show us their creativity and make a statement. But sometimes, are they serious? Well, we think it can be pretty funny to imagine wearing some of these fashions.
For Fall 2026, the worst trends primarily revolved around the “underwear as outerwear” trend, or the lingerie looks. I’m not just talking about lace trims and silky slips, but full-on “she forgot to get dressed” looks. This branched off into several categories. But mostly, the bad trends on my list are those that are unwearable, uncomfortable, been-there-done-that and don’t want to do it again, or just plain silly.
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The Worst Fall 2026 Fashion Trends For Women of All Ages
So take a look and have a good laugh at my picks of 9 of the worst Fall 2026 trends for women over 50, or any age for that matter!
Corset Case
Seen at: Schiaparelli, Jean Paul Gaultier, Alice + Olivia
Here is one of the underwear-as-outerwear trends for Fall 2026. First of all, it pains me to see this revival. It reminds me of being unable to breathe in the corset styling in my past. Yes, it’s nice to have your waist defined, but ouch!
See My Bra
Seen at: Isabel Marant, Balmain, Christian Cowan
OK, I see you are wearing a bra and I’m so glad, especially in these cases. Some of the bras are a little cuter than others (Christain Cowan, uggh!), but I don’t know how many women want their off-shoulder look to be completely off-torso. You know the rhyme, I see London, I see France? In this case, we see the entire Upper Peninsula.
Garter Belts? Again?
Seen at: Dolce & Gabbana, Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood, Zimmermann
I just don’t get the fascination with stockings and garters. Ask any woman over 90 who may have had to wear them in the ’50s and ’60s before there was pantyhose! (Which is actually another horribly uncomfortable undergarment that’s up for discussion.) But these vintage boudoir looks are best kept under a skirt.
Micro Micro Minis
Seen at: Blumarine, Valentino, McQueen
Speaking of skirts, these micro-minis are best kept to the runways where the models are standing and walking because it’s impossible to sit down in them without them creeping up. Well, maybe you can stay covered in the flared McQueen skirt when seated, but this one risks high-wind mishaps. Did I forget to mention the fact that it shows off your entire leg? In the fall? Brrr.
Winged Wonders
Seen at: Louis Vuitton, Rick Owens, Comme des Garçons
Every time a bell rings a model gets her wings. The concept of broad shoulders and wings went a bit overboard here. Sure, women want to fly away sometimes, but not at the expense of taking up so much space and looking like a college football mascot.
Way Below The Belt
Seen at: Chanel, McQueen, Miu Miu
This was definitely first noticed at Chanel, where belts were placed well below the belt… more like around the knees. What? Even on a dress, how can you walk? These proportions are just plain weird. Then other designers probably got tired of the high-waist trend, only to go back to the too-low-slung trend. Look up, look down, your pants are falling down! Yes, lots of childhood rhymes are coming to mind.
Sheer Madness
Seen at: Ann Demeulemeester, Tom Ford, Dolce & Gabbana
This is another of the ridiculous, no-one-will-ever-really-wear trends for fall. I saw a plethora of sheer skirts on many the top runways again this season. I’ve come to think that designers just don’t know what to style with the top or jacket and just give the model a sheer skirt. Kind of like when you don’t know which shoes to wear and your bare feet look the best. Well, I guess the Tom Ford skirt will at least be useful in the rain?
Killer Heels, Literally
Seen at: Marie Adam-Leenaerdt, Saint Laurent, Calvin Klein
Yes, these are killers because they kill your feet. If you’re over 50, you may remember the pitfalls of wearing the elongated shoe trend. Sure, they are sleek and cool, but the heel pitch was extremely painful, guys thought you were weird, people would inadvertently step on the long toes and you were trapped and couldn’t move (Um, excuse me, but I believe my shoe is under your foot) and really, why would you want your feet to look longer? On top of all that, the toes would start to curl upward to make you look very much like an elf. Believe me, it’s best to skip this trend.
It’s A Drag
Seen at: Christian Dior, Acne Studios, Loewe
This always makes me crazy! Designers create amazing fashion designs in the most luxurious (and expensive) fabrics only to have them drag on the ground! It makes me cry to see it and just think of the damage that can be done to these pieces. I get that these dramatic trains may be just for the runway presentation, but I’m worried that someone will try it at home.
Which of these Fall 2026 fashion trends do you think is the most outrageous? Would you wear any of them? Let me know what you think!
Runway Photos: Vogue.com
You may also like to read Pantone’s Top 10 Fall 2026 Color Trends: Did They Take Over the NYFW Runways? and From The Runway To Your Home: Fashion-Inspired Decor For Fall 2026.
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