Some Trends That Signal Fashion Is Getting Bolder And Louder And More Optimistic
And you know what, thank goodness.
I’ve previously written about how restraint and minimalism have been dominating style on a large scale ever since “quiet luxury” became fashion’s biggest fad in 2023. Like how there’s been an emphasis on if-you-know-you-know, logo-less bags, or an increase in somewhat simpler trends becoming popularized. I mean, remember last summer’s white tank top craze??
Though, as we headed into 2026, I felt optimistic that the new year would bring a bolder, louder, more free approach to fashion and style. Because as fashion’s pendulum once swung towards quiet luxury, so it must swing back. What has perhaps surprised me the most, however, is how slowly it’s been swinging.
The truth is that a lot of fashion and style today is still pretty restrained. And even while some brands are starting to see sales numbers that indicate luxury’s “slump” could soon be over, the growth is slow and steady, rather than quickly reassuring.
And yet, the fashion pendulum is still moving. Among the periphery of the minimalism that might still be popular at large, there are bolder, louder fashion trends growing which reinforce this optimistic view. Here are four of them.
ONE: HELLO, COLOR COSMETICS
While brands and consumers may be hesitant to experiment with clothing to its full extent, one area where we’re seeing quite a bit of boldness is in makeup. Overall, makeup is having a moment. Actually, I posted earlier this year that average online sentiment for makeup was rising, while that for skincare was simultaneously dropping.
Though not all makeup products are on the uprise (notably, mascara and eyeliner have both seen their popularity decline lately), those that are revolve around color cosmetics. Things like blue eyeshadow and bold lip liner. Or overall more fun styles, like how lip glosses are thriving, too.
So, even while outfits at large tend to be more minimal, it’s reassuring to see how makeup continues to be a prominent form of self-expression, as well as a sign that people are beginning to re-embrace boldness.
TWO: LOGOMANIA, IS THAT YOU?
Perhaps the most clear antithesis to 2023’s “quiet luxury” movement, which heavily favored logo-less fashion, is, of course, the embracing of logos. And back in May, I posted that the popularity of logos had been rising an average of 36% monthly in 2026 so far.
Even if you personally don’t love logos, their recent resurgence can be an optimistic sign when you view it as a direct rejection of the conservatism that correlated with fashion’s “quiet luxury” movement.
It’s also reassuring to see fashion expand from what the movement signaled at its core—that there is a “right” way to do luxury—and remember there are many different ways to approach fashion.
You can read more about the rise of “quiet luxury”, and some of my thoughts on logos, below:
THREE: BUTTER YELLOW WILL ALWAYS BE THERE FOR US
Just last week, I posted a video highlighting how neutral and earth tones have been dominating fashion and culture in 2026 so far. From Bad Bunny’s custom white Zara look he wore during his Super Bowl performance, to Zendaya’s white gowns from The Odyssey movie press tour, to the white short-shorts Hudson Williams wore in his viral Peloton ad.
That’s not to say, however, that more colorful hues aren’t simultaneously rising in popularity, too. And one color which has consistently been prevalent in fashion for some time is light (or “butter”) yellow.
Based on an analysis I posted in May, “butter yellow” was around 73% more popular then versus the same time last year. Meaning that, although it is a seasonal, summer shade, it is becoming more and more beloved every summer. For anyone eager to integrate more color in their wardrobes, this is a great sign.
But, what also makes butter yellow optimistic is that it’s remained consistently popular for the past couple of years, or since it first emerged on the fashion scene back in 2024. Because today, as fashion trends change faster than ever and consumers’ attention spans continue to shrink, it’s hopeful to see fashion fads that stick around.
FOUR: THE COMEBACK OF THE PUSH-UP BRA
This section of today’s newsletter is sponsored by Victoria’s Secret.
A couple of weeks ago, I posted that push-up bras have actually been rising in popularity this year, by over 90% in June versus the rest of 2026 on average. You can view these insights here, shared as part of a paid partnership with Victoria’s Secret, who provided exclusive images of their latest Very Sexy campaign featuring Anok Yai, Paloma Elsesser, Abby Champion, and Candice Swanepoel.
The new Very Sexy collection, which certainly includes several different styles of push-up bras to choose from, also includes other nods to the return of bolder fashion: bright colors, lots of sequins, and an embodiment of leopard print as a neutral.
To see push-up bras specifically resonating with consumers also feels like a more direct embrace of styles that break away from fashion’s more restrained side, and an optimistic signal that we’re moving further away from it all. And I love to see it.
IN CONCLUSION…
So, there you have it. While overall style at the moment might continue to feel more minimal and subdued, these trends—from fashion to makeup to lingerie—are an optimistic reassurance that fashion’s pendulum is swinging back to bolder and louder styles. And, though it may be happening slowly, I can’t wait for it to continue.