Tartan is difficult to escape. This season in particular, it’s down to fashion’s ongoing fixation with grunge, but fashion stylist Oriona Robb thinks something slightly more nostalgic is going on too.
"I think grunge is part of it, but there’s also a real affection for British heritage dressing,” she notes.
"Checks have that lovely familiarity, whether they remind you of tailoring, country clothes or something you wore when you were younger.”
But tartan isn’t the only print having a good season. The Autumn/Winter 2026 collections saw designers play with everything from dark, jacquard florals to pinstripes, paisley and increasingly unusual animal prints.
So, if another checked skirt feels a little predictable, these are the prints worth considering instead.
Gothic florals
Forget the pale, scattered flowers associated with the Spring/Summer season. The current florals are darker, denser and look as though they could have been borrowed from an old sofa.
Floral brocades and richly patterned fabrics appeared across the Autumn/Winter 2026 collections, with designers including Dries Van Noten, Erdem and Simone Rocha taking flowers into distinctly Gothic territory.
The difference between a floral that feels summery and one that works in November can be as simple as what’s happening behind the flowers.
"I would start with the background colour. Florals on navy, chocolate or black immediately feel more autumnal, especially when the flowers themselves are in burgundy, plum or muted pink,” explains Robb.
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Rather than leaning into the somewhat predictable romanticism with ruffles, suede and layers of jewellery, Robb suggests going another way.
"I’d wear a floral skirt with a simple knit and leather boots, or a floral blouse under a tailored blazer. If you want less of a bohemian feel, keep the shape sharp and be selective with frills and accessories.”
Even a summer floral dress may survive the seasonal transition with the right footwear, tights and jacket.
As Robb puts it, "Sometimes changing the shoe is all you need to make a dress you already own work for autumn.”
Deer print and snakeskin
Leopard print isn’t going anywhere, and while developments this season include the more subtle cheetah print, the more interesting breakout print this season is deer.
Dubbed online as "Bambi core”, it is the pared back, earthy brown-and-white spotted alternative to leopard.
Robb says deer and snakeskin are the two more sophisticated prints to try this season.
"Personally, I’d choose snake, which was on the Roberto Cavalli (Autumn/Winter 2026) runway – or deer for something more playful.
"Tiger and cow are quite bold, so I’d recommend it to someone who already enjoys a strong print.”
If that all sounds too loud, there’s no requirement to wear it head-to-toe.
"The easiest starting point is a shoe, bag or belt,” says Robb.
Snakeskin works particularly well here because its typically neutral palette means it can behave more like a texture than an overt pattern.
Try a pointed snake-print shoe with dark denim, or use a belt to break up an otherwise plain outfit.
"Think about the colours you already wear, then choose a print that works with them,” Robb suggests. "It should feel like a natural part of your wardrobe instead of a trend thrown in.”
Vertical stripes
While the classic Breton stripes return year after year, this season the dominating iteration seems to be long, vertical stripes.
This is perhaps the easiest departure from tartan for someone who doesn’t ordinarily wear much pattern, as Robb says, vertical striped "feel particularly relevant with the return to stronger tailoring”.
Robb adds: "I love them because they give an outfit definition without you having to wear a very obvious print.”
A pair of striped trousers worn with a soft knit, belt and ballet flats gives the print a casual feel.
Alternatively, a striped oversized shirt works with jeans or wide-leg trousers is an easy introduction to the print.
But it’s important paying attention to the scale.
"A fine, subtle stripe creates a very different effect from a bold one,” Robb explains. "Choose according to how much attention you want the piece to attract.”
Upholstery prints
Some of this season’s most interesting prints look suspiciously like something you might find covering an antique chair.
Tapestry style patterns have returned alongside fashion’s taste for richer fabrics and slightly eccentric vintage motifs, showcased on the Maison Margiela and Dior Autumn/Winter 2026 runway.
Read more: Fashion weeks put versatile dressing, soft colours and bold volume in focus
They can also go wrong quite quickly.
"Where it can feel dated is when every element has the same vintage vibe,” says Robb.
The key to making this print work is to contrast it with light coloured silks, jeans or trainers to bring it into 2026.
"A brocade jacket over a plain knit or shirt with jeans can look beautiful and really cool.”
Colour can provide the link between the two to make the outfit feel more complete.
"Choose one colour from the pattern and repeat it elsewhere in the outfit. It makes even a busy print much easier to wear,” Robb says.
Polka dots
If you bought into this summer’s polka-dot obsession, there’s some good news: you don’t need to retire it just because the temperature has dropped.
"I don’t think we need to say goodbye to polka dots, they’re continuing into autumn, but the styling can feel different,” Robb says.
The obvious seasonal switch is everything surrounding them.
A spotted skirt that was worn with a vest and sandals in July can sit under a slouchy knit with knee-high boots.
And while the big polka dot was big in summer, it seems the micro dots seen on the Jacquemus and Dior runways offer a subtler way in for the new season.
But you don’t need to buy a new polka dotted piece just for the size. It’s all about repurposing trending items you already have.
As Robb says: "A change of season doesn’t mean starting your wardrobe again.” – dpa
