Australian Fashion Week’s most photographed gave us a preview of what’s next. The street style delivered as much allure and drama as the runways (and the interviews) with a striking sense of individuality in every look. From our off-duty models to fashion’s most photographed, the sidewalks became a showcase of curated chaos and effortlessly cool.
The Trend Breakdown
Faux fur of course
Emerging as a key styling piece rather than a seasonal necessity. The faux fur rendered in bold shades, sculptural cuts and decadent textures, it appeared in forms far removed from winterwear. The aesthetic was maximalist, and certainly rooted in visual drama. Phoebe Spiller’s Day 2 outfit captured the essence effortlessly, pairing a faux fur hat and jacket from Unreal Fur, a standout interpretation of the week’s prevailing mood. Vintage and thrifted fur finds made just as strong an appearance, slung over shoulders or styled with intent, proving that second hand doesn’t mean second best. Their presence underscored fashion’s ongoing tilt toward considered, expressive dressing. Faux fur returned to the trend spotlight with purpose — bold, considered, and impossible to ignore.
Tailoring took a sharp turn
Quite literally. Tailoring took a new shape this season — entirely reimagined. Think Superfine: where traditional black suiting collided with Met Gala theatrics in a distinctly Australian way. Blazers came cropped or exaggeratedly oversized, trousers were slashed at the ankle or cinched at the knee. Suiting wasn’t bound by shirts and ties — it was restyled with mesh tops, miniskirts, sheer slips, bike shorts, or even nothing at all. Classic tailoring, unravelled and reworked into something bolder. Sam Guggenheimer made a case for minimalist drama on Day 3, stepping out in a crisp white blazer offset by lace stockings and sharp white heels. Her take was streamlined yet striking — so grounded, and quietly powerful. Bernad Ngendakumana added another layer to the story. His ‘70s-inspired suit, cut with timeless precision, felt both nostalgic and directional. Paired with Maison Margiela Tabis, his look blended archival menswear with offbeat polish — a nod to the past, styled firmly for now. Tailoring at AFW wasn’t stiff—it was sensual, subversive, and deeply personal.
Effortlessly cool ruled the concrete runways
Nowhere was this quiet confidence more evident than in the hair though. The resurgence of the low ponytail reflected a broader shift toward refined simplicity — where subtle details speak volumes. Effortless cool ruled Carriageworks this season. Hair was undone, makeup minimal, but the energy? Unmissable. At the Ngali show, we saw ultra-low ponytails with a subtle twist, threading crimped texture through otherwise sleek strands. Beare Park followed with a similar restraint, favouring sharply parted low ponies that mirrored the clean lines of its Pre-Fall ’25 collection — a look that suggested the high slick-back may finally be on its way out. Carla Zampatti offered her own take on refined polish, sending models down the runway with high-gloss blowouts that elevated the brand’s timeless codes.
Off the runway, the pared-back beauty mood continued. Creators like Karla Poot, Eloise Mummé, and Harmony Butcher embraced the same quiet confidence in their own looks — proving that elegance often speaks loudest when it’s whispered.
Sheer and unexpected details
Sheer layers and unexpected styling details set the tone. Sopha Dopha made a statement with visible underwear layered over her look — bold, unexpected, yet so effortless. Alix Higgins’ Resort ’26 collection delivered sharp energy with a rebellious edge — think sheer prints, attitude, and silhouettes that could easily sit in a Charli XCX mood board. Back off the runway, creators embraced laid-back staples with precision — ballet flats, trench coats, oversized button downs. Giving normcore but elevated definitely giving that lesson in off-duty polish.
The AFW crowd knows how to clash — and pull it off.
This year’s street style felt eclectic in the best way and struck a balance between chaos and control. The crowd dressed for the cameras, yes — but more so for themselves. Personal style took precedence over the polished and predictable. Pinstripes paired with polka dots, metallics layered with denim, and sheer slips thrown over cargos.
Trends took a backseat to possibility. And the most photographed? They wore what’s to come.
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