SS26 MAGIC Las Vegas Brand Editorial

Jeramiah Irwin, @jerairwin The Jersey City–based designer attended Afropunk for the first time last year, and the festival’s accepting ethos made him come back again this year. “I love festivals in general, but this one to me is so different. Everyone is so friendly. There’s no judgment,” he says. “It’s really true what they say—the no sexism, no homophobia here.” And given the opportunity to fully express himself, Jeremiah chose a denim corset and ripped jeans that were inspired by the pop-country music he’s been listening to. Says Irwin, “I was going to wear a cowboy hat, but I’m saving that for later.”

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Shop more women's contemporary brands — at MAGIC Las Vegas this August 18-20, 2025.

Images by DReSS TO

Material Matters

Sports-inspired utility is infiltrating more than athleisure, as airy layers, breathable textures, and technical fabrics pop up in everyday clothing. Outerwear and accessories can deliver the “Elemental Flow” trend from the SS26 Women’s Contemporary Buyer’s Guide, the most: “Variations of mesh and translucent uppers in footwear are important,” says Dolce Vita VP of Design Monique Rivera. “For sneakers, we love a slimmer bottom with some retro elements,” she adds. That same fluidity applies to ready-to-wear, with strappy tanks and ruched dresses, windbreakers, and layerable blazers. “Mesh tops, for example, can be styled as edgy or romantic,” Rudow says of the material’s versatility. Luxe details, too, can deliver that softness, says Corie Nichols of Dress To. That includes “specialty hardware,” playful ties and straps, and cool cut-outs.

Jet Set

Relaxed but statement-making, comfortable and cool, contemporary brands are offering a more elevated take on vacation wear with the “Vibrant Escape” trend, per the SS26 Women’s Contemporary Buyer’s Guide. “This season, we are featuring effortless resort-inspired pieces made for everyday life via lightweight fabrics like stretch poplin and drapey denim, whimsical embroidery details, and prints that channel vacation energy, from vintage Hawaiian florals to palm tree motifs to watercolor florals,” Randall shares. Beyond breathable fabrics and easy-to-wear silhouettes that make packing a breeze, matching sets are fundamental to the trend, Mandy Fry, president and partner of women’s clothing label Z SUPPLY, says. “It’s crucial to evolve them from basics into more fashion forward options,” she adds, noting the variety they offer one’s wardrobe. Jacqueline Krafka, bobi’s design director, is a proponent of printed and striped sets, as well as woven and terry options. “We even intermingle silhouettes, such as short and oversized tops, and color coordinate stripes and textured sweater knits with different prints, allowing for a bolder approach to the mix and match concept.”

Core summer essentials are being revitalized, going from basics to closet heroes. “There are so many classic silhouettes being reinterpreted that are very appealing to a wide range of needs,” Krafka says, pointing to the growing prevalence of super soft and slouchy T-shirts and slimming, long-length shorts. Also present in the SS26 Women’s Trends Digital Session, “Future Classics,” which celebrates the beauty of simplicity, are oversized oxford shirts, structured waistcoats, and sturdy denim in a variety of shapes. Randall says “relaxed, wide-legged jeans and shorts are the silhouette of the moment, offering a cool alternative to skinny or slim fits. Look for lots of white, tinted and pale blue washes, and subtle pleating, barrel legs or darting for added shape.” Utility-inspired denim, with large cargo pockets and oversized shapes, and relaxed straight-leg jean with a '90s or early 2000s-inspired wash, play into the trend’s ability to work for relaxed and polished occasions alike. Despite their position as seasonal trends, these SS26 concepts are key to building a strong product assortment. Aligning your assortment with styles that resonate, and peppering in more playful, of-the-moment pieces will achieve success in giving shoppers what they want — and what they don’t realize they want just yet.

An inside look at the key trends shaping the women’s contemporary market this season.

Forever Favorites

Women’s contemporary fashion is at an exciting inflection point. Now more than ever, shoppers are prioritizing “affordability, quality, and durability when selecting fashion brands,” reports the 2025 US Fashion Consumer Outlook Report. “Style preferences, such as versatility, timeless designs, and trend-driven choices,” are cited in the report as playing a major role, too. As such, women’s contemporary brands are hitting that sweet spot: offering pieces that are as accessible as they are wearable, and answering consumers’ primary wants. “There is a growing demand for versatile, wear-now pieces that reflect real-life style needs,” says Amy Randall, CMO of Democracy Clothing’s parent company Kellwood. “The focus is on thoughtful design: silhouettes that flatter a range of body types, current fashion at accessible pricing, and details that are more intentional, less over designed.” That interest, coupled with dozens of trends emerging at a time, presents unprecedented opportunity, but also can make it challenging to create a focused assortment. Connecting with consumers in the contemporary space hinges on a brand’s ability to align with a shopper’s values, “especially around sustainability, diversity, and transparency,” says vice president of MAGIC and OFFPRICE, Jordan Rudow; the former influences purchasing choices for 32% of consumers, per the 2025 US Fashion Consumer Outlook Report. It also requires having a defined point of view and being able to curate an assortment that reflects that — one that’s filled with “occasion diversity,” she adds. Think: items for day-to-night dressing, elevated casual wear, and special occasion styling (dresses dominate women’s purchases, with 67% for ages 18-24) to provide their base with enough variety to match their lifestyles. Buyers need to “prioritize adaptability, layering potential, and styling flexibility to ensure trend pieces work across categories and seasons,” Randall says. But they also need to consider what those trends actually look like. Ahead of MAGIC Las Vegas, where the women’s contemporary fashion category is going to have its moment in the spotlight, we spoke to apparel, accessories and footwear brands within the Contemporary at MAGIC community about the key looks — and items — dominating the SS26 season.

Published July 2025