The Styling Levers I'll be Reaching For In 2026
What i'll be wearing & where my style is headed in 2026
Happy New year!
I hope you had a peaceful holiday season. (Just a heads up this newsletter will most likely be too long to read in email, so please open in the app/browser to read in full)
As we enter the new year, I’ve found myself reflecting on my style journey and ruminating on what I feel pulled to try/do more of in 2026. One of the biggest things that came out of a year long no buy was infinitely more creativity in my closet, and a playful approach to getting dressed.
When it comes to personal style, I feel grounded in what feels ‘like me’, but there are still styling levers I want to experiment with and that’s what this piece is all about. A way for me to name the levers I want to pull in 2026 and share what’s got my attention right now.
Style Over Fashion
While I appreciate the fashion industry and the artistry that comes out of it, my focus continues to shift towards exploring my own sense of style. Despite a career working in fashion, I’m not someone who takes much notice of the shows, nor am I super clued up on who the creative director is at each design house, and i’m ok with that. (*If you are looking for trend predictions both Sogole Kane and Lindsay Sword have an amazing eye and are very much in the know).
Trickle down and bubble up affect all of us to some degree when it comes to the clothes we choose. I’m not ‘anti’ fashion, I just want to make decisions that feel centred around myself, my values and what feels exciting to me, irrelevant of whether or not something is trending.
Classic - With Little Tweaks
Every year I make a new Pinterest board because I like to see what gets left behind and ultimately, what gets carried over year after year. There are without a doubt certain looks I always repin to every board, every year. Those looks have a few things in common: Tailoring (sometimes soft, sometimes formal, sometimes structured), Looks centred around a blazer, and looks that mostly feature a neutral color palette. These are without a doubt the easiest way for me to tweak a look but still feel like myself. Whether it’s adding a jewel toned bag, or a pop of color via a shoe, it never feels like I’m having to reinvent the wheel. I want to utilize my classic pieces to their full potential, paying special attention to styling things like the collar or cuffs. I’ve been experimenting recently with using the cuffs of my oversized shirts folded over my blazer cuffs and I love the relaxed feel it adds to my structured blazers.
Artist In Residence Meets Patsy From Ab Fab
It might sound chaotic, but there’s method in the madness. This is why (to me) styling levers are so helpful. They’re not not static, they move, they eb and flow, and they offer space for creativity as opposed to stifling it. (I don’t think i’m ever going to be someone who wants or needs my style to fit in a neat and tidy box.) 2025 was the year I got back to my roots, my inner artist, and i’m finding that’s also coming through in how I want to dress. I think it’s coming across more so in the details - how I do my hair and makeup and little stylistic choices that add a little playfulness to my everyday looks. All of the above juxtaposed with an air of the unapologetic, which to me is Patsy from Absolutely Fabulous, arguable one of the best UK 90’s comedies for fashion lovers. While I don’t think i’ll be wearing a beehive anytime soon, I’ve always admired her two piece Chanel suits and her commitment to being dressed up for herself. To being fabulous for no reason other than she could. I love the idea of pulling both of these levers to varying degrees depending on my mood on any given day.
Experimenting with/ Introducing Pops Of Color
2025 was the year I really started to explore color in my closet. I fell hard for red, and jewel toned green. That being said, I didn’t go out and buy a ton of colorful pieces. Instead, the addition of one or two items I wear regularly (in color) in cuts I love, as well as the odd accessory scratched the itch while opening up new possibilities within my wardrobe. I have come to love a colorful sweater, a scarf, a shoe or a bag. But I also love incorporating color in a more minimalistic way, like within a t-shirt design, or the pinstripe of a button up. And of course, makeup still remains one of my favorite ways to play with color and add some interest to my outfits.
Block Columns/ Monochromatic Looks
Whether it’s a neutral color palette or embracing colors I feel called to explore, there’s a simplicity in a monochromatic look that just feels like home. Once I realised how much of the time I wear all black looks, the more I couldn’t unsee how wearing all one color creates the same effect. There’s something equally grounding and I don’t have to overthink anything. The palette leads the outfit rather than the pieces themselves.
More Vintage Denim
It’s official, now I understand how to make Vintage Denim work for me (tailoring/alterations) there is no going back. FINALLY I have the fit I want and the comfort. I’ve also lucked out on eBay buying second hand Levi’s for less than $20 that I didn’t even need to get altered! The above three pairs have covered most the ground I need, but i’m still on the hunt for a washed black pair to add to my collection.
Layered Jewels
I keep pinning images of pearls layered on top of each other, as well as bold silver bangles and cuffs stacked. There’s just something about bold yet minimal jewelry that reminds me of armory. I appreciate it as a way to play with contrast within my outfits too. In some ways it has that more is more vibe, and yet I still read it as edging towards minimalism when everything else about the look is paired back.
More Shopping Second Hand
I spent the latter half of last year shopping entirely second hand and while this isn’t a new thing for me or my wardrobe, I have loved adding in a creative constraint of shopping entirely second hand. I’m working on a piece that goes into more detail on this experience, but shopping second hand whether that’s thrifting, or choosing the vintage route has undoubtedly added more character to my existing closet, especially when it comes to those one of kind pieces.
I’d love to know, what styling levers will you be experimenting with in 2026?
Thank you so much for reading and for supporting me and my work.
Harry x
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That cross body pearl photo…styling idea unlocked!! Tons of great ideas here Harry x
The monochromatic looks are gorgeous. As you are Harriet, happy new year.