Everyday Couture: The high-low approach to dressing that will win in 2026

We are seeing a change as buyers take notice of the luxury landscape and rising prices for designer fashion. Brands with a strong vision and focus on storytelling are capturing the attention of shoppers across generations. We’re also paying more attention to pieces with a higher level of craftsmanship and fashion-like details – hand-crafted beading, custom embroidery, and gemstones set with precision.

These are items that have a special quality, which usually makes them suitable for special occasions such as weddings, red carpets, or celebratory functions with a black tie dress code. That said, we’re seeing them styled on the autumn/winter 2026 runways every day. Gleaming sequinned dresses are styled with cotton trench coats, while embellished satin tops decorated with sweeping ribbons are paired with low-slung jeans. This feeling of everyday wear is the juxtaposition of high-low dressing – a sign that unique, heirloom pieces are worthy of investment and that people will not just save them for special occasions, but integrate them into their wardrobes in a more casual way.

Connor Ives’s satin embroidered tapestry pieces have already become associated with the fashion set.

At Dior, Jonathan Anderson reimagined the house’s iconic Bar jacket in an embellished ruffled version, pairing it with denim.

A signature Chanel tweed suit is brought in for everyday wear with a white T-shirt underneath.

While this sequined red dress from Celine is worthy of a red carpet, a cotton trench and leather boots let it down.

A heavily jeweled top at Givenchy will likely translate to high-impact gems.