Bigger, Softer Hair Trends for 2026

From voluminous wigs to romantic braided updos, the runways are embracing a more expressive, undone look.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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According to the Fall/Winter 2026 runways at New York Fashion Week, big, bouncy, and slightly messy hair is the hottest trend for the year ahead. Designers showcased styles like sky-high wigs, pearl-adorned braids, flipped-out blowouts, and loose, low ponytails - all with a romantic, expressive feel. The common thread was hair that looked effortless and a little undone, yet still polished enough to earn compliments.

Why it matters

This shift towards voluminous, textured hairstyles marks a departure from the sleek, subtle looks that have dominated in recent seasons. The new trends embrace a more playful, individualistic approach to hair, allowing people to express their personal style in a fun, slightly messy way.

The details

Key runway hair trends for 2026 include: towering, structural wigs at Collina Strada; braided updos adorned with pearls and crystals at Alice + Olivia and Cult Gaia; bouncy, flipped-out blowouts at PatBO; and loose, low ponytails with oversized bows at LoveShackFancy. Hairstylists describe the overall look as "fluffy, high-impact, and intentionally undone," "elegant and effortless," and having a "lived-in feel" that is "naturally stylish."

  • The Fall/Winter 2026 runway shows took place during New York Fashion Week in February 2026.

The players

Collina Strada

A fashion label that showcased structural, towering wigs on their Fall/Winter 2026 runway.

Alice + Olivia

A fashion label that featured loose Dutch braids and woven braided buns adorned with pearls and crystals on their Fall/Winter 2026 runway.

PatBO

A fashion label that presented sleek, feminine blowouts with bouncy, rounded ends for their Fall/Winter 2026 collection.

LoveShackFancy

A fashion label that showcased loose, low ponytails with oversized tulle bows on their Fall/Winter 2026 runway.

Davey Matthew

The hairstylist who created the "fluffy, high-impact, and intentionally undone" styles at the Gabe Gordon show.

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What they’re saying

“The 'bubble blowout' is beautiful and soft with rounded, bouncy ends. I love how it adds movement to the overall look. It has a little bit of a lived-in feel and is naturally stylish.”

— Dimitris Giannetos, Celebrity Hairstylist (ELLE.com)

“[Think of] the girl who loves a party but equally loves her poetry; the kind of girl who wakes up in the morning with the bow that she had on last night and puts a ballet flat on while running out the door to get a coffee.”

— Brent Lawler, Hairstylist for LoveShackFancy (ELLE.com)

The takeaway

The rise of voluminous, textured hairstyles on the Fall/Winter 2026 runways signals a shift towards a more expressive, individualistic approach to beauty. This trend allows people to embrace their natural hair texture and play with creative styling, moving away from the sleek, uniform looks that have dominated in recent years.