The day after fashion week, I stopped by the H&M showroom to try on the FW26 Studio collection. I had seen the collection’s lookbooks and line sheets before they debuted on the London runway, but I was excited to experience the pieces in person and, admittedly, found a few to add to my wardrobe. The moment I walked in, I spotted a few tailoring pieces that aligned with my aesthetic.
The collection has a distinct ’90s sensibility, balancing menswear-inspired suiting with softer, more feminine details. That contrast gave it the feel of an effortless cool-girl wardrobe.
Tailoring, texture, and layering were at the core of the collection, with pieces that could easily live in your wardrobe. Ann-Sofie Johansson, Creative Advisor & Head of Design at H&M, mentions in the press release, “H&M Studio A/W26 is about the quiet power of a woman who knows herself. She wears tailoring with ease and ownership, but she makes it entirely her own.”
This collection is exactly that: pieces that give you that extra oomph when getting dressed, but still completely versatile and wearable. The collection’s color palette leaned mostly on sophisticated neutrals, with pops of blush pink and hints of fringe, lace, and sequins sprinkled throughout. The accessories felt familiar yet new; vintage-inspired yet of-the-moment.
What stood out to me is how layerable and wearable everything felt; although each piece possesses a slight twist, these clothes I can easily see myself integrating into my own daily rotation. This sensibility is exactly what makes a collection worth shopping.
The Tailored Mini Dress
The first look I tried was a tailored black blazer dress that I immediately fell for. It’s the kind of piece you can wear as a mini dress (with and without tights) or layered over a sheer skirt or cigarette trousers. Flats or boots? Both are fair game, but since it was still warm when I tried the look on, I went for bare legs and menswear-inspired patent leather loafers.
Girl Meets Boy
For my second look, I went for a feminine-meets-masculine combination. I paired a double-layered collar button-down with a fringe black skirt, and I styled it once again with a pair of loafers. I love this kind of tension in texture and silhouette. It works well for the workweek and lets me skip heels without sacrificing style.
The Coat Is the Look
I could not leave the showroom without trying on this faux fur puffer. I styled the jacket over a pencil skirt with a high slit. The jacket was dramatic but not so over-the-top that I wouldn’t wear on on the weekend with wide-leg trousers. Pairing it with a kitten heel gives it a ladylike finish.
The Layered Slip Skirt
Another standout piece was this blush pink skirt, layered over a delicate lace layer, paired with a darted white button-down. The contrast between the romantic skirt and crisp shirting felt feminine without being overly precious.
The LBD
This updated LBD fit like a glove from the moment I tried it on; the silhouette was incredibly flattering. The dress features cap sleeves and a halter neck tie detail that gives it a contemporary, layered look. Asymmetric buttons run down the body, adding interest to an otherwise simple shape.
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