What is Love? Spring 2026 Runway and the Resurgence of Romance

By: Brooke Erickson

Florals? For Spring? Groundbreaking. 

Or so Miranda Priestly once famously said. Love in February? Who coulda predicted that? As we shed our January sweaters and begin to truly open up to the new year, February blooms and unfolds itself as January's evil twin. Romantic elements are all around, and not just in the form of cheap chocolates and multicolored teddy bears. Marshmallow fragrances are reportedly up 453% as everyone is prepping and primming their feathers for the sweet, sweet spring air. 

But what is romance in the context of fashion? In the everyday context, maybe a sweetheart neckline, a silk scarf, a floral motif, and lace, lace, lace. But at its core, romance is the visual style that evokes all things heartfelt and feminine. The essence is sensual and mature; an image that evokes glamour. Romance is all about details, and the Spring/Summer lines know how to always embrace these accents. But this year specifically, there seems to be a fresher lens. One that is fully embracing the ‘chalantness’ of love; a refreshing new wave after years of muted palettes and corporate aesthetics, all under the guise of “timeless” preference. Fashion that communicates sensuality and rebellion has been long gone from the mainstream, largely due to larger economic issues that essentially rob the younger generations of ‘rebellious’ functions. If we look at the carefree fun of the 2000s, or the rockstar wildness of the 70s, these are clear time periods where embracing disruption was all the rage. Could we possibly embark on another tumultuously romantic period? Let’s take a look.

Copenhagen Fashion Week

Take Copenhagen fashion week; wrapping up at the end of January, throughlines could be seen with the use of peplum silhouettes, airy organzas, and lace galore. While not outright characterizations of romance, these are all details that lend themselves to love and intimacy. From MKDT Studios, Caro Editions, to Herskind, all these designers aim to communicate the feminine spirit and sensuality that is often stripped from us in the winter months. Shedding the stiffness that comes with the cozy season, a silk scarf, flowy overlay, or silhouettes that emphasize the feminine figure are all ways in which Spring fashions seduce us. 

Wuthering Heights Press Tour

On the flip side, the Wuthering Heights press tour takes romance at its root elements, adorning gothic regality to its most daring origins. Entering theaters just in time for Valentine’s Day, “Wuthering Heights” has made its waves across social media for a variety of factors; trademarked by its controversial and heavily stylized nuances, this movie has completely divided Letterboxd down the middle. But outside of Emerald Fennell's somewhat questionable directorial choices, the film’s fashions and subsequent press tour looks are undoubtedly taking the internet by storm. Taking place in the Tudor period, Jacqueline Durran (The film’s costume designer)  references Elizabethan through to Victorian, famous paintings, and other notable period costuming in 20th-century films. With elements of vintage Mugler and McQueen as well as a most contentious pink latex dress, the term creative liberty had her work cut out for her. But that’s all to say one thing: Outlandish or historically inaccurate aside, Romance is at the centerfold. 

Yuhan Wang Spring 2026 

Another line that stood out this season was none other than Yuhan Wang’s collection. With the arrival and crash of a red Cadillac, the Mulholland Drive Inspired Runway featured a subversion of sportswear. Intercut with Wang’s signature ruffles and lace, Wang says she aimed to, much like the movie, challenge the idea of the male gaze, and therein place the title of heroine on the women. Through dreamy visuals, brought to life by a most enthusiastic smoke machine, this hazy, girlish collection emphasizes once again the elements of unabashed romance that center not only on playfulness, but autonomy.

All in all, this rise of romance is not only an annual resurgence, but truly a cultural calling to return to traditional dating seances and metaphorical mating calls. While keeping it casual made sense for a while, I’ll be the first to attend the funeral of Nonchalance. There is nothing more beautiful than loving loudly, whether that is a partner, friends, family or yourself. 

One day, the boys will catch up, but until then, we can dress it up ourselves. 

Happy late Valentine's Day!