What does “American cool” look like in 2026? At this month’s New York Fashion Week, the answer seems to be less about chasing novelty and more about knowing which pieces of American style still carry cultural currency.
A Reuters story recently noted that American heritage labels are attempting to reclaim their cool with younger consumers, with Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Tory Burch among the head- liners during the week.
Coach and Tommy Hilfiger presented their collections on the eve of the fashion week’s official start.
Scanning the crowds at the runway shows, it is evident that celebrities are helping make that case.
At Tommy Hilfiger, Gigi Hadid and Romeo Beckham walked the runway, while Blackpink’s Jisoo, Camila Cabello, Victoria Justice and Patrick Schwarzenegger sat front row.
Read more: American heritage brands attempt to reclaim their cool at New York Fashion Week
New York Knicks players Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart and Miles McBride brought an unmistakably local sporting energy to the roster of celebrity front row, as well.
That mix is revealing. The quintessential American style has never been only about clothes.
It is about the culture around them – sport, music, Hollywood, college campuses, cities and the idea of dressing with enough confidence that the clothes appear almost incidental.
Tommy Hilfiger leaned into that formula with oversized jerseys, rugby shirts, letterman jackets and collegiate pieces for Spring/Summer 2027, calling the collection a contemporary take on his signature Americana.
Ralph Lauren offered another version. Its celebrity-filled show brought together sharp tailoring, denim, varsity references and romantic eveningwear, while the 86-year-old designer himself took his bow in a varsity jacket emblazoned with “New York”.
Calvin Klein offered another take on the formula, with its pared-back approach to denim, tailoring and underwear codes continuing to shape the visual language of American fashion.
Its enduring appeal lies in making familiar staples feel culturally relevant rather than chasing the latest trend.
Read more: Don’t turn your back on Venice Film Festival’s boldest fashion moments
The celebrity wardrobe around New York Fashion Week similarly suggests that it is less a fixed aesthetic than a shared vocabulary.
Preppy dressing can feel fresh again. Sportswear can move from the stadium to the front row. Denim can be elevated without losing its familiarity.
A baseball cap, rugby shirt or tailored jacket can carry as much fashion credibility as something more obviously extravagant.
That may be the real appeal of American style right now. It does not necessarily ask to look fashionable.
It asks to look like you belong to the culture that made the clothes fashionable in the first place.
The fashion world at large may be obsessed with fleeting micro-trends, but staying relevant could very well be about knowing your style codes – and wearing them like they were never out of style.
Celebrity style at the Spring/Summer 2027 New York Fashion Week
Teyana Taylor attends a runway show in a casually chic look. Photo: Calvin Klein
Elle Fanning (left) and Troye Sivan pose for photographers in the front row. Photo: Coach
From left: Elizabeth Debicki, Viola Davis and Cynthia Erivo show off their best looks for fashion week. Photo: Ralph Lauren
Amanda Seyfried poses in a striking combination of contrasting colours. Photo: Tory Burch
Romeo Beckham walks the runway at this month's New York Fashion Week. Photo: Tommy Hilfiger
Collegiate dressing remains a favourite for US labels as seen in this photo of Josh Hart. Photo: Tommy Hilfiger
Blackpink's Jisoo (left) and Camila Cabello embrace clean, preppy dressing, a hallmark of the American fashion aesthetic. Photo: Tommy Hilfiger
