Stitch Fix is calling time on fast trend-chasing and betting big on bolder basics, naming Chili Red its 2026 Color of the Year and forecasting a move toward “Statement Staples” that elevate everyday wardrobes. Drawing on billions of data points and fresh stylist and client surveys, the San Francisco-based styling service is mapping how women actually want to dress next year: confident, nostalgic, and practical, but with punch.
2025’s biggest trends: retro, sporty and collegiate
In 2025, Stitch Fix stylists saw three key trends dominate clients’ closets: ’90s Revival, sporty-inspired looks, and a return-to-campus, collegiate mood. The ’90s Revival made a strong comeback, influencing more than a third of clients’ wardrobes, with nearly 90% of Stylists enjoying styling wider-leg denim as client requests for “relaxed” styles jumped more than 16 times in the last three months.
Sporty-inspired looks also surged, with more than 60% of Stylists styling tennis-core pieces like pleated skirts and polos, while sales of wide-leg and flared athleisure pants climbed more than 125% year over year. The “Return to Campus” trend—modern varsity with a city edge—was another client favorite, with more than 60% of Stylists saying it was the look they styled most often, as requests mentioning “stripes” grew more than 80% in the last three months.
Celebrity muses driving client style
Celebrity style continues to shape everyday outfits, and Stitch Fix Stylists ranked Jennifer Aniston, Taylor Swift, and Anne Hathaway as the top three fashion influencers for 2025. More than 50% of Stylists said clients were inspired by Jennifer Aniston’s polished, minimalist looks, while nearly 40% named Taylor Swift as a key reference point.
More than 30% of Stylists cited Anne Hathaway as a top influence, highlighting how clients gravitate toward approachable, elevated style icons rather than extreme runway looks.
Trend fatigue and the rise of Statement Staples
Despite the popularity of these trends, many clients are tired of the constant churn. Amy Sullivan, Vice President of Buying and Private Brands at Stitch Fix, said, “In 2025, our clients embraced a variety of trends — integrating 90s looks, sporty-inspired styles and more… At the same time, they also expressed that they are feeling ‘trend fatigue’ with two-thirds of clients either choosing to be selective with trends or ignoring the constant trend churn. While we will always make sure we have the trend-right assortment, and support our clients looking for the latest looks, we also expect this reluctance to trend chase to continue in 2026 and to fuel the rise of Statement Staples – standout items that elevate and add personality to classic looks.”
In a recent survey, more than 50% of clients described their ideal 2026 wardrobe as “elevated basics with bold accents,” and more than 60% said they plan to invest in versatile pieces that can be styled for multiple occasions. Stitch Fix expects this shift to fuel the rise of Statement Staples: sculptural jewelry, colorful bags, playful charms, and statement outerwear like textured wool coats and modern trenches, backed by expanded footwear and accessory offerings.
Chili Red takes over 2026
Color will be key to making these staples pop, and Stitch Fix is putting its stake in Chili Red, described as a vivid, optimistic, and confident shade. More than 70% of clients say they use color to show personality, and sales of red pieces are already up by more than 50% as of October 2025, with demand set to grow into 2026.
“Color is one of the easiest ways clients can make a statement and show their personality. Chili Red is a great color to do this with. It’s bold enough to stand out yet versatile enough to be incorporated into almost any wardrobe,” Sullivan said. Starting this week, women’s clients will see Chili Red pieces in their Stitch Fix Vision galleries, a GenAI-powered visualization tool that shows personalized outfit imagery based on each client’s profile and current trends.
Tech-powered personalization for every household
To support this style shift, Stitch Fix has also rolled out new digital experiences designed to make shopping more personal and convenient. These include Stylist Connect, a two-way communication platform that deepens the relationship between clients and Stylists, and Family Accounts, which let clients shop for anyone in their household from one account.
Founded in 2011 and headquartered in San Francisco, Stitch Fix (NASDAQ: SFIX) pairs expert Stylists with AI-driven recommendation algorithms to help clients discover styles that fit both their bodies and their lives, across exclusive and national brands.
