From October 14 to 17, Barcelona was again all about fashion. The 36th edition of 080 Barcelona Fashion presented the collections of emerging fashion designers for Spring/Summer 2026.
The collections balance between urban sensuality and conceptual experimentalism, with a spectrum from transparency and light fabrics to architectural volumes and graphic prints.
The catwalk in Barcelona transcends trends and shows the creative maturity of national design. A generation of designers is strengthening their identity with a mix of introspection, playfulness and irony.
Urban sensuality
Lingerie-inspired clothing is cementing its position in the modern wardrobe as one of the season’s most sophisticated options. Brands reinterpret the slip dress from a functional and refined perspective. The positioning is that of a hybrid garment for an effortless transition from day to night. The item fits both an urban environment and more formal occasions, without losing its sensual and intimate essence.
This trend is reinforced by a play of layers, textures and color contrasts that modernize the traditional language of lingerie. For everyday use, the advice is to combine the delicacy of lingerie items with more casual garments. A sporty jacket or wide trousers can balance the sophistication of lace and satin.
The miniskirt
Analysts interpret the return to conservative lengths as a reflection of an economic and political downturn. However, Barcelona’s emerging creatives seem determined to defy this prediction.
The miniskirt maintains itself as one of the key elements for Spring/Summer 2026. On the catwalks there is a reinterpretation by designers from a contemporary perspective. The combination is with deconstructed shirts, semi-transparent tops or sweatshirts in XL proportions that balance the silhouettes.
The low-rise waist and references to the Y2K universe come together with a darker, urban aesthetic. This coming season there will therefore be sequin embroidery in addition to reinterpretations of the classic denim skirt. A miniskirt, reminiscent of a shirt tied around the waist, is also part of the trend.
Success duo
On the other hand, the combination of a shirt and a slightly longer pencil skirt becomes a successful duo that leaves the business image behind. Silhouettes become softer, fabrics gain more movement and contrasts come to the fore.
On the streets we see men’s shirts in combination with sequin skirts, translucent skirts or skirts with a vinyl look.
Theatrical preppy look
The preppy style remains current and solidifies its position as one of the most influential codes in the modern wardrobe. Classic argyle sweaters and ties continue to be key elements in men’s and women’s wardrobes. However, the reinterpretation is from a more ironic and deconstructed perspective, which challenges the traditional rigor.
For Spring/Summer 2026, V-necks take center stage. They are enlarged to extra-long proportions and explore an aesthetic that borders on the theatrical.
Within the garments that define this new version of the classic, the shirt is more than just a basic. It becomes a conceptual tool, a canvas for the redefinition of the modern uniform. The apparent simplicity becomes a testing ground: it is deconstructed, layered and expanded in volume, taking on unusual proportions.
Graphic dresses
Among the evening dresses that dominated the Spanish catwalks and in contrast to the basics, the trend of graphic dresses celebrates fantasy. It is a celebration of the pleasure of dressing with irony. The silhouettes are simple, let the images speak and invite a second look.
This article has been translated using digital tools .
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This article has been translated into Dutch using an AI tool.
FashionUnited uses AI language tools to speed up the translation of (news) articles and to proofread the translations to improve the end result. This saves our human journalists time that they can spend on research and writing their own articles. Articles translated using AI are checked and edited by a human desk editor before going online. If you have any questions or comments about this process, please email info@fashionunited.com.
