How to shop the fall 2026 runway trends that are on sale now | Canada Voices

If you’ve been following the fall 2026 “Big Four” fashion weeks and are feeling inspired by the coming season’s collections, it’s not too early to try the trends for less by shopping from the sales section.

“Most designers have signature styles that they repeat and tweak from season to season,” said Vancouver-based fashion stylist Leila Bani. “Sometimes it’s just a different lining or button change.”

Start by thinking about the runway looks that are holding your attention and figuring out what feels exciting about them to you. “It could be a styling detail like the way a shirt is tucked, a colour combination or straight up look 62,” said Bani, referring to a specific ensemble on the catwalk.

Do some keyword searches online, and keep your wish list in mind when browsing the racks at your favourite department store, indie boutique or consignment shop. “Knowing the timing of different retailers’ markdowns can help you source something similar from current or previous seasons at a discount,” Bani said.

Here are eight fall 2026 runway trends to shop on sale now.

Mixed plaids

A fall favourite, plaid and check fabrics were popular again this season, appearing in fall 2026 collections from Chanel, Coach and Louis Vuitton. Most designers embraced tailored silhouettes and more muted colours rather than leaning into a punk or outdoorsy aesthetic. Head-to-toe prints and mixing multiple patterns within the same ensemble offer fresh takes on the trend.

Worn with a button-up or V-neck, this plaid midi skirt works for the office. But add a plaid shirt or blazer in a different pattern and you’ll be turning heads.

Pushbutton navy plaid midi skirt, $369 (from $670) at Ssense.

Rich velvet

Velvet, another fall staple, was seemingly everywhere on the runways, with many designers opting for slouchier fits and languorous silhouettes. There were crushed velvet suits at Boss, Ulla Johnson and Emporio Armani, and sumptuous, jewel-toned gowns at Area, Conner Ives and Prabal Gurung.

This low-back velvet gown by sportswear label TWP is currently 70-per-cent off through Toronto retailer TNT.

TWP Back To You dress, $583 (from $1,945) at TNT.

Pencil skirts

Designers embraced the humble pencil skirt for fall. The piece showed up in dressy wool and cashmere fabrics, as well as more novelty iterations such as patent leather. At Mugler and Chanel, the skirts were paired with tailored blazers, but on many runways such as Miu Miu and MM6 Maison Margiela, they were styled simply with tucked-in knits and button-ups for a minimalist, streamlined look.

If you don’t already have a great pencil skirt in your closet, this sleek, 100-per-cent wool option is a versatile addition to any office-wear rotation.

Boss melange pencil skirt, $210 (from $379) at Hugo Boss.

Floral prints

Floral prints and patterns made a riotous appearance for Fall 2026, particularly at London Fashion Week, where designers such as Richard Quinn, Emilia Wickstead and Montreal-born Erdem Moralıoğlu showed dresses with roses, wisteria and other blooms. Apropos for the season, the flora on display at Anna Sui, Elie Saab and Roberto Cavalli featured darker backgrounds and richer, more autumnal palettes.

Montreal-based label Silk Laundry’s past-season Tulipa print, offered in a few different styles, is evocative of the Dutch still life-inspired blooms at Givenchy and Dries Van Noten.

Silk Laundry long bias cut skirt Tulipa, $284 (from $406) at Silk Laundry.

Statement coats

From long robe coats at Fforme and Stella McCartney to oversized, sculptural fits at Tom Ford, Michael Kors Collection and Louis Vuitton, furry jackets (mostly in faux fur) are continuing to trend for 2026.

Winnipeg-based Freed specializes in faux fur outerwear, and multiple styles from past seasons are currently on sale. This hip-length coat comes in a variety of hues and is made in Canada.

Freed Riley coat in spice, $252 (from $420) at Freed.

Sheer lace

Considering the season, there was a surprising number of sheer lace dresses on the fall runways – mostly in black but also in white, red and other shades. Saint Laurent, Erdem, Altuzarra and Dior featured floor-grazing gowns, while midi-length styles appeared at McQueen and Dolce & Gabbana.

To get the look now, try this tank and skirt from Toronto-based Beaufille, perhaps over the brand’s matching stockings and some great lingerie. The outfit also comes in white.

Beaufille Cardew tank, $285 (from $470), and Beaufille Sinatra skirt, $285 (from $475), both at Beaufille.

Tall boots

Thigh-high boots were a runway mainstay at Paris Fashion Week and elsewhere, styled with everything from slitted pencil skirts and fitted pants to miniskirts and dresses. Suede pairs at Max Mara were colour co-ordinated with the outfits while Chloé showed shearling-lined styles.

Off the runway, knee-high boots can be easier to wear – and easier on the wallet – than thigh-high options.

Aeyde black Yonda tall boots, $507 (from $1,370) at Ssense.

Bold purple

The standout colour of the season? A saturated, vibrant violet, which appeared on everything from suiting to coats. Most notable, though, were the purple dresses in a wide variety of fabrications at Loewe, Gucci, Ferragamo and Carolina Herrera.

Currently 60 per cent off, this boldly coloured halterneck gown is from Simone Rocha’s Spring 2025 collection.

Simone Rocha crepe halterneck gown, US$966 (from US$2,415) at Net-A-Porter.