Fall is finally here and just as the seasons have changed, trends have begun to emerge and shift. Chillier weather has brought forward some clear fashion changes, but some aspects of popular culture have remained the same.
New York Fashion Week, Spring/Summer 2026 took place Sept. 11 through Sept. 16 and introduced concepts that I’ve noticed are already dominating this fall. One of the largest commonalities of the week was blue denim, specifically loose and distressed denim.
This brings me to one of my main points: The late ‘80s, early ‘90s grunge reemergence. These loose-fitting “mom” and “boyfriend” jeans were commonly seen in this era. I also noticed many ripped pairs of jeans showcased from brands, such as Brandon Maxwell and Area. Coach also featured baggy, distressed denim, and the majority of their new collection had a grunge appeal.
Not only are these trends being seen at fashion week, but on social media and on campus, I have noticed flannels — another staple of the grunge era — everywhere. Almost anywhere you look on campus, you can spot someone wearing a flannel jacket or button up.
Layering also seemed to be a common theme at NY Fashion Week, which is also proving relevant off the runway. Brands such as Zankov, Lii and Maria McManus maximized layering for their runway looks. However, off the stage, people seem to be taking a more subtle approach to layers. Long sleeves under t-shirts are popular in men’s and women’s fashion and more recently, camis — typically with lace trim — have been placed under different shirts, usually with v-necklines.
Outside of the fashion world, other trends have been cycling. Book adaptations, remakes and biopics have taken over the film industry. These unoriginal films have been shoved down consumers’ throats for the last few years.
Most recently, the new “Wuthering Heights” film was announced, with its official teaser coming out earlier this month. “Wuthering Heights,” originally a Victorian novel, has already been translated on the screen several times, with the earliest being in 1920 and the latest in 2022.
Similarly, “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere,” the Bruce Springsteen biopic, is set to release in late October of this year. After the Elvis Presley, Priscilla Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Amy Winehouse and Bob Dylan biopics (to name a few) all coming out within the last three years, I think it is safe to say that Hollywood should take a break with these overdone films. The casting for the Beatles’ biopics, titled “A Hard Day’s Night” also came out earlier this year, receiving online backlash.
Finally, on social media, this week we have seen talk and memes of “the rapture.” The rapture is a Christian belief that Jesus will have a second coming and during summer, South African pastor Joshua Mhlakela shared his belief of the rapture happening on Sept. 23 or 24 of this year.
Memes and believers have taken over the internet either sharing jokes towards this belief or so-called information on the event. Some of the most out-of-pocket posts I have seen included AI edits of the Rizzler being sent to heaven and a user expressing the fear of only being able to listen to Gracie Abrams after the rapture takes other artists.
Is the mockery too funny or too far? The answer depends on who you ask, but for me, it just seems to be another day on the internet with people of varying beliefs sharing their opinions — which is nothing we have not seen before.
Luckily, the autumnal trends have just begun. Tune in next time to see what everyone is talking about as October rolls around the corner!