London Fashion Week highlights spring trends
London Fashion Week 2026: The five trends we'll see in spring
Monday, 21 September 2026
Warm-up
- Which fashion weeks or designers do you follow, if any?
- What colour do you like to wear in spring, and why?
- Have you ever tried a new look because of a trend?
Vocabulary
- runway
- the long platform where models walk to show clothes
- debut
- a first public appearance of a person or collection
- tailoring
- the cut and shape of clothing, especially suits and coats
- aesthetic
- a style or look that shows a certain idea of beauty
- silhouette
- the basic shape or outline of a piece of clothing
- drape
- to hang cloth in soft folds over the body
- waterproof
- not letting water pass through; protected from rain
- rebellion
- a strong action against rules or a popular style
Reading
London Fashion Week focused on return and renewal, as two major British brands showed spring/summer 2027 designs. Alexander McQueen moved its runway back to London after 25 years. Creative director Seán McGirr mixed severe tailoring with dark romantic touches. Mulberry also returned after nine years. Christopher Kane’s debut centred on the Baywater bag and leather coats, skirts and loafers. Laura Weir of the British Fashion Council said the aim was to re‑platform London as a home for design and growth.
Key trends followed. The “messy girl” aesthetic showed deliberate chaos and rebellion at Chopova Lowena, Sinead Gorey and Conner Ives. “Gardening‑core” brought aprons, waterproof materials and trench coats, sparked by Loewe’s watering‑can bag, and appeared at Erdem, Yuhan Wang and Bora Aksu. A “modern goddess” mood favoured draped garments, breezy materials and bohemian silhouettes, seen at Pauline Dujancourt. One clear colour led the week: orange, shown by Mulberry, Justin Cassin, Enny Atelier and Vin + Omi.
Comprehension
- Which brand moved its runway back to London after 25 years?
- Who is the creative director at Alexander McQueen?
- Who made a debut collection for Mulberry?
- What items define the gardening‑core look in the shows?
- Which colour stood out across several shows?
Grammar focus
Alternative comparison
Use 'prefer X to Y' and 'would rather ... than ...' to compare two alternatives. Use 'to' after prefer and 'than' after would rather. (Examples constructed.)
- Designers prefer tailoring to sloppy cuts.
- Shoppers would rather buy a bag than a coat.
Grammar exercise
Circle the correct option in each sentence.
- Buyers prefer structured boots (to / than) soft sandals.
- Critics would rather see prints (than / to) plain fabrics.
- Many shoppers prefer Mulberry bags (than / to) leather totes.
- Models would rather wear loafers (to / than) high heels.
- Some say designers prefer orange (to / than) blue this season.
Discussion
- Which of these trends would you try, and why?
- Do brand returns help London’s creative image?
- Is messy styling a good form of self‑expression?
- What colour should be next year’s big trend?
Vocabulary, reading, and exercises with instant feedback
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