As the weather slowly transitions from summer to fall, our wardrobes will begin to change as well.
The pre-fall fashion trend has long dominated how we dress during these in-between months. But pre-fall fashion is not entirely a made-up concept. The original idea of pre-fall is to have clothing in your wardrobe that caters to both seasons. Collectively, you'll still get summery pieces as well as fall wardrobe staples.
The pre-fall fashion trend actually started when people in the fashion industry realised that their jet-setting, wealthy clients were looking for versatile pieces that could transition between different climates during their travels.
Over the years, pre-fall has become one of the most profitable seasons for major luxury fashion houses as well. Many clients tend to place larger orders from these collections because the pieces are generally more wearable than the more theatrical looks seen on the main runway. Therefore, it's not surprising that big names like Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Valentino, and Alaïa have consistently treated their pre-fall collections as major events.
From a creative point of view, the pre-fall season is actually one of the most exciting times for designers too. As the in-between season does not demand heavy summer or winter wardrobes and fashion designers have more room to experiment. So, it's not surprising that you'll find more playful, relaxed, laid-back, yet still experimental outfits on the pre-fall runways.
So, as we are gearing up for August and September months, we thought we'd share some of this year's major pre-fall fashion trends from industry insiders. Here's the complete MAYFEYR breakdown.
Silk Scarves
Did your mind go to silk scarves as a pre-fall fashion staple? Then you're not wrong.
Recently, numerous luxury fashion houses have been featuring stunning silk pieces. For instance, Dries Van Noten and Versace showcased silk twill wrap skirts that give the illusion of a giant silky scarf wrapped around the body. Other fashion houses, such as Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, and Zimmermann, have also made silk scarf-inspired dressing as their main focal point, delivering fabulous printed tops and statement dresses.
But of course, a classic silk scarf will always be a must-have fashion item for the pre-fall season because this simple accessory can also keep you warm when the weather turns chilly without making you feel overheated when the temperature rises.
You can easily incorporate them into your wardrobe by pairing a patterned silk scarf from Valentino with a neutral or colourful dress, or even styling it with a denim top, as seen in many street style looks. But if you want to go one step bolder, then pair your silk scarf with suede or velvet pieces.
Checked Patterns
If you've been wearing your checked pieces all through summer, don't stop, because they'll continue to have their place in the pre-fall season. Although it's worth noting that Vogue advises that checked patterns are generally more subdued for pre-fall, it doesn't mean you can't wear them on their own.
Whether it's a checked skirt from Prada that you can style with a simple cardigan, or a checked dress from Stella McCartney's highly praised pre-fall collection, now is the perfect time to embrace these timeless patterns.
Don't be afraid to flaunt matching checked separates, but make sure the checked patterns are subtle and small in scale so they don't look too flashy. And when the temperature drops a notch, you can always throw on a gorgeous checked trench coat from Burberry over a crisp shirt in soft neutral palettes like cream, ivory, and soft grey.
Speaking of checks, there's no reason not to incorporate a checked handbag into your look, as the polished pattern can elevate even the simplest outfit, whether it's a leather jacket or a simple cosy sweater.
Pencil Skirts
As we have seen in recent years, the pencil skirt is making a huge comeback. The iconic narrow-silhouette skirt, popularized in the 50s and 60s, is returning with its own bold and quirky twist.
In 2026, major fashion houses are favouring pencil skirts featuring high-shine metallics, patent leather, rich textures, playful fringe, and even vibrant colours. But the glossy patent leather pencil skirts are definitely leading the pack, as we have seen appearing on the runways of major labels, such as Saint Laurent, Tory Burch, and Ferragamo.
But if you're looking for a more romantic take on the pencil skirt this pre-fall, brands like Dries Van Noten and Bottega Veneta have incorporated fun twists into their designs with frilly feathers and fringed textures, creating a sense of dynamic movement.
While pencil skirts can easily be styled with neutral tops, one of the latest trends has been pairing them with prep school sweaters, graphic tees, and even casual sweatshirts. You can also wear a high-waisted midi pencil skirt with a tank top or a sharp blazer to balance the sleek silhouette.
Although the pencil skirt has long been considered an office wear staple, you don't need to pair them with stiff heels for this pre-fall. Instead, opt for delicate Miu Miu's fishnet flats, or a pair of minimalist sandals from Giuseppe Zanotti to create the nonchalant looks.
Shades of Pink…
Who says you can't wear brighter colours for pre-fall? As reported by Elle magazine, pink is everywhere this year, from the runways to major fashion campaigns. And who can blame them? Since the shade made a major comeback after Barbie, pink is officially a colour to consider.
And when the pre-fall weather beckons, wearing head-to-toe pink outfits is totally acceptable. Or, if you don't want to go all Legally Blonde, you can always add a dash of pink here and there. From statement pink shoes by Alexander McQueen and Chloé to fabulous pink handbags from Valentino, there's no reason why you can't zhuzh up your look this transitional season.
And if you're thinking men don't wear pink, the recent football matches will prove you wrong. As seen with goalkeepers Benjamin Asare and Dominik Livaković, who wore bright hot pink and fuchsia jerseys during the World Cup against England last June. Or when football star Lionel Messi donned Inter Miami's signature pink home jersey during a Major League Soccer (MLS) match, there's no reason why you can't rock any shade of pink too, gents!
Many luxury fashion houses have also released pink sneakers in 2026 through collaborations with footwear brands. For instance, Miu Miu released its Plume Satin Sneakers in Pink as it rides the wave of the balletcore movement, while Prada also dropped its Re-Nylon and Suede Laced Sneakers, also known as the "Collapse" sneaker, in the designer shade of Pesco Pink, which has become a favourite among many fashion fans.
Sporty Style
Yes, if you're thinking of wearing a more sporty-inspired wardrobe for pre-fall, then no one will yell at you saying the World Cup is over.
It's undeniable that the relationship between sports and fashion is a strong one, and with this year marking major sporting events, there's no reason why you can't wear your preppy T-shirts with jersey numbers, varsity jackets, or rugby stripes out in the open.
From Versace to Acne Studios, you can mix and match sporty pieces in any way you please. If you want a more casual look, you can always layer your sports T-shirt under a jacket or blazer for a night out. Or, if you want to channel a more preppy look, slouchy sweaters and tartan skirts are still on trend.
We have also seen a rise in athletic comfort style, like Balenciaga's recent techwear pieces that mix sporty and haute couture styles with a variety of taffeta tracksuits, windbreakers, gym gear, and, of course, Balenciaga's popular high-performance sneakers.
If you want to kick your preppy look up a notch, then adopt the viral tenniscore fashion trend. Perfect for the pre-fall season, tenniscore is a sweet spot that combines quiet luxury with retro prep through pieces like striped polos, rugby shirts, midi-length skirts, and pleated skirts. It goes without saying that sporty caps are also having a major moment, so don't forget to shop the latest ones here.
Shop your next Pre-Fall Season items only at MAYFEYR.
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