We’re not even three full months into 2026, and there has already been a whirlwind of new trends and ideas, especially with clothing. Amid the chaos, people have been flocking to follow new and different fashion trends to post online and participate in.
This year so far has especially resonated with fans of memes and harmless fun, like the quarter zips vs. Nike techs debate or “silly little pouches” (SLPs for short) in lieu of purses. Similarly, 2026 has been marked as “the new 2016,” with the resurgence of skinny jeans, bomber jackets, “it” designer bags and even bringing back VSCO water bottles. While the allure of a decade prior is simply called nostalgia for most, it also isn’t the only place where fashion has soared this year.
Since the movie scene is bustling, from the release of brightly colored animated movies that never fail to dark, small horror films, fans are in a more competitive race than ever to cosplay their favorite characters. Jet Filmore from “GOAT”, which was released last month, and Simon from January’s Markiplier film “Iron Lung” are just two of the latest examples of cinema having a direct effect on the fashionable masses. Cosplaying has always been a staple in fashion, especially when it comes to media that so many want to display their love for. Even the adaptation of an old literary classic, Emily Brontë’s “Wuthering Heights”, has brought both new and old romance buffs to Victorian era looks, spawning even more cosplays from an already big fanbase.
“[I think that cosplay has become more popular] because people see themselves in the characters they dress up as,” Olivia Candella (12) said. “I think that it can bring people together and create wonderful communities.”
Now, what isn’t in good taste is the rise of AI in the fashion industry, which has already contributed to designs both currently in the brainstorming phase and already in stores. Textile waste from fast fashion is one of the largest pollutants on the Earth, targeting scarce water sources just as AI does, so the continuance of wasteful practices isn’t exactly surprising. And while this could pose further detrimental threats to the environment, it also infringes on artists’ intellectual property, from designers to brands and beyond. Yes, it can also bring faster efficiency to production and help reduce costs, but even just a glance at the average TikTok Shop proves rampant traces of AI via poorly made or counterfeit clothes.
Luckily, not everything is dictated by a trained bot, as Pantone, a global design company, has revealed the color of the year: Cloud Dancer, which can be best described as an off-white tint. The color was chosen to represent a ‘fresh start’ and a call to stop and reset your mind — or, like the name suggests, dance on clouds! Even then, there has been backlash on the decision, with many calling it unoriginal, bland and even racist. Some also went as far as accusing Pantone of propagating the rise of white nationalism, calling it a blatant dog whistle. While the color company has denied these allegations, saying skin tone was not a factor in choosing the color, it hasn’t exactly disproved the bad optics of the choice.
“People say black and white feels mature and dignified, [and] that’s probably true,” Columbia Heights High School (CHHS) Beginner and Advanced Painting teacher Mr. Isaac Glidden said. “But I can’t imagine a group of happy children choosing off-white as their crayon. Maybe being mature and dignified isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”
Pantone has not changed their decision since the announcement, pushing new clothing lines for the color. The year 2026 will likely continue to be a rollercoaster of both new and recycled ideas for fashion and fun, so keep an eye out, and the Heights Herald will report back soon, and you better believe it will be without AI assistance.
