There’s something about spring that makes us want to shop. After months of coats, knits and sensible layers, the new season brings a welcome excuse to inject a little colour, print and personality back into our wardrobes.
And spring fashion in New Zealand for 2026 is looking particularly good. The mood is less about following rigid rules and more about having fun with what you wear. Across the international Spring/Summer 2026 collections, designers embraced colour, exaggerated proportions, retro prints, softer silhouettes and plenty of personality.
The good news? You don’t need an entirely new wardrobe. A great top, a fresh colour or one statement accessory can be enough to bring last season’s favourites firmly into spring.
Here are the seven spring fashion trends we're wearing in New Zealand in 2026
Butter Yellow Is Still Having a Moment
If there’s one colour that refuses to disappear, it’s butter yellow. Soft, creamy and surprisingly easy to wear, this mellow shade has carried through another season, appearing on the Spring/Summer 2026 runways at Chloé, Loewe, Louis Vuitton and Chanel. Think of it as a warmer alternative to cream, not a scary bright yellow. A butter-yellow knit looks great with denim, while a shirt, dress or blazer instantly freshens up chocolate brown, tan, navy or white. Not ready for head-to-toe yellow? Start small with a handbag or headscarf.
BEQ STYLE TIP: Pair butter yellow with chocolate brown for one of our favourite colour combinations this spring.
Ruby Carolyn puff sleeve blazer, $299. Bronwyn Marcella boot, $293. Deadly Ponies Vault clutch, $549. Shona Joy La Lune dress, $394.
We’re Seeing Spots
Polka dots are back, although arguably they never really left. For spring 2026, the classic print feels less prim and proper and a little more playful. Khaite, Tory Burch and Altuzarra are among the designers embracing spots, with everything from oversized dots to barely-there prints appearing across dresses, skirts and tops. And if you've already invested in animal print, don't panic. That's going nowhere either. Spring is simply giving us another print to play with.
BEQ STYLE TIP: The easiest way to wear the trend is a polka-dot dress – add a blazer and loafers now, then switch to sandals when summer arrives. Black and white will always work, but keep an eye out for pink, red and colourful versions too.
Next Love & Roses Pink dress, $228. Curate Shape Up dress, $299.
Romance Isn't Dead: Ruffles and Sheer Dressing Return
After seasons of pared-back minimalism, romance is back on the runway — but there’s nothing shy about it. For Spring/Summer 2026, designers are turning up the drama with clouds of ruffles, sheer fabrics, corsetry, sculptural draping and dresses designed to move. Softness is still at the heart of the look, but this new romantic mood has more attitude.
The runways tell the story beautifully. Frothy layers of tulle and organza create almost weightless silhouettes, while sheer gowns reveal the structure beneath. Elsewhere, corset detailing gives delicate fabrics definition, and exaggerated ruffles turn necklines, sleeves and hems into the main event. Even tailoring gets the romantic treatment, with fluid, transparent fabrics softening traditionally sharp silhouettes.
Colour plays its part too. Alongside dreamy blush, ivory and barely-there pastels, vivid green and fiery red prove romantic dressing doesn't have to mean pretty pink. For real life, we're taking inspiration rather than wearing the runway head-to-toe. Look for a sheer blouse, ruffled skirt, softly draped dress or a top with a little volume. Pair something overtly feminine with relaxed denim or tailoring and suddenly romance feels very 2026.
BEQ STYLE TIP: The more romantic the piece, the simpler everything else should be. Let the ruffles, sheerness or beautiful draping do the talking.
Spring/Summer 2026 collections: Susan Fang, Schiaparelli, Blumarine, Givenchy, Gaurav Gupta, Givenchy and Genny
The Peplum Is Back – Don't Panic
The peplum is back for 2026, but before you start having flashbacks to the early 2010s, this incarnation is much cleaner. Designers including Dries Van Noten, Khaite and Stella McCartney have revisited the waist-defining silhouette with sculptural shapes and more considered proportions. Instead of a tight top with a frilly little shelf around the waist, look for longer, architectural shapes, subtle flares and tops that gently kick out from the body.
BEQ STYLE TIP: The secret to making it look modern is keeping everything else simple. Pair a statement peplum top with straight or wide-leg trousers, longer shorts or a clean pencil skirt and let the silhouette do the work. We didn't expect to want one again either, but here we are.
Caitlin Crisp Sofia blouse, $385. Zara Polka Dot Bandeau Peplum top, $60. Topshop tailored zip through peplum top, $190. Reformation Anna Alpaca Peplum Sweater Top, $399.
The Statement Skirt Takes Centre Stage
Forget the dependable black midi. For Spring/Summer 2026, the skirt is becoming the main event. Think exaggerated volume, sheer layers, asymmetric hems, ruching, embellishment and plenty of movement. The styling, however, is surprisingly uncomplicated. Designers are pairing attention-seeking skirts with simple tanks, tees, shirts and pared-back tailoring, letting everything happen below the waist.
BEQ STYLE TIP: This is one trend you don't need to overthink. Take the most fabulous skirt you can find, add a white tee or simple knit and you're dressed.
Coop Crowd Pleaser skirt, $259. Aje. Ribiona Knit Midi Skirt, $559. Mind Traveller Beth Blue striped skirt, $163. Le Superbe Moderne Maui Liza Skirt, $637.
More Is More When It Comes To Accessories
If you're not ready to embrace a whole new silhouette, this might be the easiest spring update. After years of tiny, barely-there jewellery and discreet accessories, statement pieces are making their way back into the conversation. Think sculptural earrings, chunky necklaces, interesting belts, oversized sunglasses, colourful bags and shoes that actually get noticed.
BEQ STYLE TIP: Take a simple white shirt and jeans and layer a great necklace, a fabulous belt or a bold pair of sunglasses. It's an easy way to make the clothes you already own feel new again – and proof that sometimes the smallest wardrobe update can make the biggest difference.
Saint Laurent Howl sunglasses, $925 from Sunglass Bar.
Matching Sets Get Playful for Spring 2026
Co-ords aren't exactly new, but this spring they're getting much more interesting. Forget matching beige linen. The 2026 matching set comes in colour, stripes, retro prints and unexpected proportions. We're talking printed shirts with matching shorts, relaxed pants with coordinating tops, or skirt-and-shirt combinations you can wear together or break up with pieces already in your wardrobe. That's also why we love a set: you're essentially getting three outfits. Wear it together, then style each piece separately. For spring, look for lightweight cotton, linen and silky fabrics that will take you right through summer.
BEQ STYLE TIP: The easiest way to make a matching set feel modern is to break it up. Wear the shirt with denim, pair printed pants with a crisp white tee, or throw the jacket over a simple dress. When wearing the full set, keep shoes and accessories pared back and let the print do the talking.
Gorman Beetemania track jacket, $269 and Gorman Beetlemania track pant, $219. Trelise Cooper Boldy You coat, $799 and pants. Augustine Nellie Lemon shirt, $160 and Augustine Nellie Lemon short, $130. Never Fully Dressed Burgundy Hearts Cardigan, $409 and Never Fully Dressed Burgundy Hearts Dorris Skirt, $249.
The BeautyEQ Take
If there's one message coming through for spring fashion 2026, it's that getting dressed should be fun again. We're not throwing out our blazers, denim or favourite neutral basics anytime soon. Instead, spring is about giving them a little more personality – a flash of butter yellow, a polka-dot print, something sheer, an interesting silhouette or a fabulous piece of jewellery.
Pick the trends you love, ignore the ones you don't and wear them your way. Because the best trend this season might just be having your own style.