Furry_ frayed & freezing on Milan catwalks: the fashion trends
As the attention of the world's fashionistas moves from Milan to Paris on the final day of the Italian city's Fashion Week Monday_ a roundup of Italy's runway style is due.
Here are some of the key trends seen during Milan's Fall/Winter 2026/2027 women's collections.
Furry beast
Furry_ fuzzy or just plain poofy was all over the Milan runways_ from the two Easter egg-shaped coats adding a bit of fun to Emporio Armani's runway to the multicoloured patchwork men's coat tipped with neon orange shown at Diesel.
Etro offered up a 1970s-inspired coat with broad shawl collar_ its fuzz worthy of Bigfoot_ while Roberto Cavalli's silver tipped long faux fur coat was paired with a tiny embroidered bralette and slouchy pants in a floral graphic.
At Prada_ a curious furry tie-like decoration -- some resembling sable_ others in cheetah -- ran down the front of sporty jackets in yellow and red like a vertical stole.
Under new designer Demna_ Gucci went the other direction_ showing faux fur bands worn horizontal over the chest just below the shoulders.
Most of the fur shown in Milan was faux_ with Fendi the main holdout_ showing real but "remodelled" furs.
Even more stunning was fibreglass_ the synthetic material that Bottega Veneta turned into showstopping long coats and matching hats in ivory_ electric blue and bubblegum pink whose fibres shimmered and fluttered when models sashayed down the catwalk.
And in the novelty category_ small Italian brand Themoire introduced the "Fur Potato"_ a bag in faux shearling made from -- you guessed it -- the humble spud.
Potato starch ferments and transforms into fibres_ used to create the fuzzy and degradable_ diminutive clutch.
Back-baring
Certainly it was Gucci's skinny and sparkling backless gown shown on model Kate Moss that wins the award for least use of fabric on the back of a garment at Milan.
But it was the G-string with the Gucci logo -- a wink to Tom Ford's "must-have" item from 1997 -- that captured headlines about the unapologetically sexy collection.
Marking a break from the faux fur_ chilly back-baring looks showed up at various designers' shows_ despite them being intended for the upcoming fall/winter season (remember that fashion is pain).
Most notable was at Tod's_ where asymmetrical "foulard" dresses in graphic prints and trimmed in leather left the back fully exposed.
Skinnier-than-skinny_ or slouchy
"How did you get into those pants?" may have been the question on many people's minds as they watched the shows in Milan this week.
The skinniest_ narrowest_ tighter-than-tight pants were shown everywhere from Emporio Armani_ where they were paired with high heels and big white men's button-down shirts_ to Tod's_ where they included a suggestion of a foot strap that evoked the world of saddlery.
In the highly feminine Dolce & Gabbana collection_ thigh-high black stockings were stand-ins for skinny pants -- paired with corsets on top_ of course -- while at Gucci_ new designer Demna showed pants whose cut-outs dangerously below the hips suggested an exposed thong.
Other designers went for slouchy_ with generous fabric in pants cut low and roomy_ including harem pants at Moschino. Roberto Cavalli showed luscious faux Persian lamb cut into pleated trousers_ while wide legs at Max Mara felt warm and luxurious.
Eaten away
Call it frayed_ distressed or "eaten away" in the words of Prada_ an obvious trend this season was for fabric exposed beneath other fabrics.
Distressing on the collar and front of Prada's zip-up jackets suggested "mutations from within_ visible to the exterior"_ according to the brand_ while a black satin slip looked as it had been munched on by a silk worm to reveal sheer floral fabric beneath.
At Roberto Cavalli_ a dramatically distressed long-sleeve sweater in lilac remained elegant despite its half-shredded feel.
Of course_ lace is the ultimate fabric that covers and exposes_ and flowing black lace took centre stage in the collections of Dolce & Gabbana and Fendi.