As 2026 has swiftly begun, one question has started to arise: What will be popular this year? Whether you want to stay fashionable, or simply know what to expect, here are Littleton High School’s expectations for trends this new year!
Recently, controversy has arisen about Pantone’s annual color of the year. Whether you agree with their pick, it is certain that it has been a very debated choice early this year. The 2026 color of the year is Cloud Dancer, a bright white. Discourse online has sprouted explaining that white is a hue, not a color, yet their decision has remained. However, people on social media have begun picking new colors of the year, ranging from coral, teal or phthalo green (like from the viral movies from the end of 2025, Frankenstein and Wicked: For Good)
So, what does Littleton High School think? The majority of students voted for coral as the color of 2026, explaining the rise in the popularity of the viral “coral pinterest pants.” TikTok and Pinterest have been blowing up with endless posts about these new coral pants that everyone loves but no one can seem to find. With a lot of digging, it appears that these viral pants are from Gaia Conception, and cost a whopping $132 dollars. While these pants may be cute, are they really worth that price tag? Anyway, while all colors were pretty evenly voted for, it is clear that coral will have some sort of comeback this year.
Time for the most debated topic of this year: fashion. People have been really wondering what the new fashion trends are this year. A large majority of the internet has begun discussing the ins and outs of 2026, with endless pinterest boards and articles debating their opinions.
One thing to keep in mind during the new year is to be conscious of the environment when you are participating in these trends, or rather “micro” trends. Will you really be wearing that top you saw a celebrity wear in a few months time? Do you have to buy something brand new just because your favorite singer was spotted wearing it? I urge you to be fashionable and sustainable at the same time. Don’t participate in buying fast fashion, or new pieces just because they are “trendy.” Go to local thrift stores and buy clothes that have been preloved- to save money, the environment and to stay in style!
“I personally do not support fast fashion because I think it takes away the creativity of fashion. I am very much pro-thrifting, and also making your own clothes. I’ve been really into painting my own clothes and DIY-ing my own clothes. I just feel like it’s creative and fun,” Junior Maddie Kusner says, explaining ways to stay both stylish and environmentally friendly.
Another very popular trend this year is the rise of new and diverse footwear, and it seems to me that 2025 was the year of clogs. Everyone was wearing brand new birkenstock clogs every chance they got. Whether there was snow on the ground or the sun was shining bright, I always saw someone in clogs. So, the question is: Will clogs stay in style, or is that old news? LHS’s prediction is the comeback of boots: almost knee-high and deep black, chic and elegant. Bye clogs, you’re being replaced! Boots have risen in popularity since late winter of last year, showing fashionable elegance and simplicity all in one. “I think that boots will come back, like higher boots. And fuzzy winter boots more throughout the year, not even just in winter!” says Emily Lesem. She also explains that the fashion trends we will see this year will have a “big emphasis on 2016” as well as that ”coral will obviously come back, it’s gonna be the color of the year… and big sunglasses. Hot take: I think headbands will go out of style soon.”
While I might be a little biased as I am the polka dot trend’s biggest fan, the second half of 2025 began the repopularization of polka dots. This revival of polka dots from the early 2010’s has become a very large trend online: everywhere you go, polka dots will follow. However, this fun and simple pattern has also begun a rise in the trend of stripes. While ⅔ of students voted for polka dots as the winning trend, stripes are also a big hit with the teenage population. “I think polka dots are gonna be really, really, really popular this year,” Kusner says. “I am seeing a lot of polka dots, on clothes, and nails, which I think is fun. I’m personally a striped girl. I am wearing an all stripes outfit right now! I love stripes, but I definitely see polka dots and fun light pastel colors as the vibe this year.”
Littleton High School seems to be pretty agreed upon for the next fashion trends of the year. Minimalism seems to be going out of style, and layers upon layers are the new look for 2026! Say goodbye to simple jewelry stacks and hello to maximalism, with very stacked and mixed metal looks beginning to arise! These new looks can be very diverse, as fashion has always been about having fun while expressing yourself. So, wear whatever you want, regardless of whether the internet deems it “trendy” or not! Just being who you are is what 2026 is all about.
2026 has a very extensive list of anticipated releases, especially in the movie department! Ranging from the new Scream film, Scream 7, to the reimagined classic Wuthering Heights, 2026 is sure to create lots of excitement in the form of entertainment. Yet, it is clear that Littleton High School is focused on one movie this year: Shrek 5!
When asked about other trends that we should keep an eye out for in 2026, LHS had very fun and different answers! Here are a few of the trends mentioned: Headbands, side bangs, tankinis, less consumerism, 2016 starbucks, skinny jeans, mini flannel skirts, bumpits, The Moment movie, Marty Supreme Oscar takeover, middle parts, and scarves.
While this year has just begun, it is clear that 2026 will be full of fun and new trends that will be sure to shock us all! So, let’s say goodbye to labubus and hello to polka dots, boots and coral!
