How Will Quiet Luxury Unfold in 2026, According to Industry Insiders

Fashion in 2026 isn’t about making an entrance. It’s about being at ease, exuding confidence and effortlessness. While quiet luxury had a moment last year (think double-faced cashmere coats and cardigans and logo mania being considerably toned down), a section of critics saw it as rather lackluster, with offerings lacking personality. However, the freshly unveiled Fall 26 collections nod in favour of a rare confidence that stems from ease, practicality, and repeat value. Here, industry experts decode quiet luxury in 2026 for us.

A Convergence of Process, People, Material, and Intent

Vinita Passary, founder of Translate - Ikat India, observes that quiet luxury is never defined by a single element of clothing. "It is a convergence of process, people, material, and intent. It begins long before a garment takes form and continues long after it is worn," says Vinita.

At its heart, craft becomes the highest expression of luxury. "The poetry of many human hands coming together: ideating patterns/silhouettes by our in-house design team, dyers preparing baths from pigments, warpers aligning threads with precision, weavers breathing rhythm into the loom, and tailors shaping form from fabric," she adds. Transforming raw fibre into something extraordinary is where true value resides.

In 2026, quiet luxury is when design and process align with purpose. When a garment is not merely worn but lived with. When it becomes something to treasure over the years, to return to often, and to speak about thoughtfully. Something that invites reflection on fashion beyond clothing and opens conversations around culture, craft, and meaning. It need not be an entire ensemble. "Even a single, thoughtfully chosen piece that naturally settles into one's wardrobe and life can capture this sensibility. For us, quiet luxury is never about display. It is about depth, integrity, and the quiet continuity of legacy," she quips.

It's A Cultural Shift: Humane and Handspun

In 2026, quiet luxury isn't about the caviar set heading for auctions and holidays but about adaptability with ease-infused pieces that complement every walk of life—from a sunny stroll on the beach to a gallery opening. This shift isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s rather cultural. Think hues like sandy beiges, soothing whites, and corals. Moreover, textiles employed have a lived-in feel—from linen blends to open weaves.

Shivam Punjya, founder and creative director of Behno, sees 2026 as the year of power dressing and power play. "Think tailored pieces that are just the right amount of slouchy that let you transition effortlessly between a sharp work look to unwinding cocktails in the evening. Larger, slouchier bags are going to do the trick here," says he. He also predicts the re-emergence of small bag components in larger bags.

Moreover, the new iteration of quiet luxury will be sublimated with a lot more artisanal work in everyone's wardrobes. "We're craving human connection more and more as the world sometimes seems topsy turvy, and when we know that someone has cared for the pieces we buy, the world feels slightly lighter," he adds.

Quiet luxury in 2026 feels much more human. It’s not about being seen anymore — it’s about how things feel, and why you’re choosing them in the first place. For designer Shruti Sancheti, it’s fabric-led - textiles, surfaces and hand feel. "You can sense the difference when something is made with time and care. Natural fibres, handwoven stories, small imperfections—that’s where the luxury really sits now," she quips.
 
There’s also this beautiful move towards ease. "Relaxed silhouettes, layered separates, clothes that don’t demand attention but quietly hold their own. Things you live in, travel in, and repeat—not pieces that feel precious or performative," she adds.
 
She also points out that sustainability is almost instinctive at this point. "The whole reduce, reuse, recycle mindset is just part of the conversation now. Buying less, buying better, and valuing what already exists rather than constantly adding more," she laments.
 
In fact, quiet luxury today is deeply tied to heritage, wellness, and experiences. Wearing something that connects you to craft, culture, and people—and that actually makes you feel good, grounded, and comfortable in your skin. "It’s confident, restrained, and deeply personal. No logos, no noise—just beautiful things chosen with intention," says she.

The Thought Matters

For menswear designer Arjun Khanna, the idea of quiet luxury is simply a combination of luxurious fabrics, the perfect fit, and attention to detail, such as working cuffs on a suit jacket. "It is the epitome of high-end tailoring that signifies stealth wealth to those in the know," he says.
 
Quiet luxury has never been about making noise. In 2026, it’s really about simplicity, the kind that feels reassuring. Clothes that don’t demand attention but slowly earn it. Gautam Sinha, founder & creative director of Nappa Dori, notes that luxury starts with fabric, something that feels soft on the skin, natural, and comfortable. When something is genuinely well made, you don’t need to announce it. "For us, quiet luxury is about pieces that are thoughtfully designed but never complicated," he says.