Tired of fast fashion trends? 'Elegant minimalism' takes over this fall

Elegant minimalism is emerging as a key fall-winter fashion trend this year. Brands are stressing high-quality materials, precise tailoring and subdued colors instead of flashy logos, while silhouettes are shifting toward softer, more fluid shapes. Layering and fabric texture are also becoming important, and some brands are seeing strong sales growth from minimalist items.

Neutral colors such as beige, brown and gray are expected to replace the black-and-white focus of 1990s minimalism this season.

The Samsung Fashion Research Institute said the density and feel of fabric are the foundation of elegant minimalism, highlighting cashmere, silk and satin.

KUHO increased supplies of its versatile knitwear by more than 40 percent from last year, while The Aperture said sales of its H-line skirt rose by more than 200 percent from January through August compared with the same period last year.

Published Sep 20, 2026 12:00 am KST

KUHO's fall-winter collection is characterized by sculptural beauty created through lines and volume, with unnecessary embellishments stripped away. Courtesy of Samsung C&T Fashion Group

Understated beauty is in. Following the rise of “quiet luxury” and “old money” style in the 2020s, “elegant minimalism” is emerging as a key fashion trend for the fall-winter season this year.

According to the fashion industry, elegant minimalism is dominating the market, with brands emphasizing their identity through high-quality materials, precise tailoring and subdued colors rather than flashy embellishments or prominent logos.

When minimalism was at its peak in the 1990s, black and white were the norm. This season, however, industry insiders expect neutral colors such as beige, brown and gray to take center stage. Silhouettes, too, are shifting. While slimness was the priority in the past, today’s designs are moving toward softer, more three-dimensional silhouettes. The emphasis is on fluidity that gently follows the contours of the body.

The texture of fabrics is also expected to stand out this season. “The density and feel of a fabric are the foundation of elegant minimalism,” an official from the Samsung Fashion Research Institute said. “Lightweight materials that can create volume, such as cashmere, silk and satin, are expected to be widely used.”

Coats will dominate outerwear overall, while blouson jackets and practical, lightweight padded jackets with clean designs are also expected to remain popular.

KUHO’s collaboration collection with global fashion designer Francesco Fucci, unveiled last month, is characterized by a focus on refined designs and streamlined silhouettes, with unnecessary details left out. Courtesy of Samsung C&T Fashion Group

Layering is also emerging as a key styling technique. Wearing clothes in layers with different colors and textures adds dimension to minimalist looks that might otherwise appear plain, while allowing individuals to express their personal style in an elegant way. Layered looks also offer the advantage of being easy to adapt to weather with wide day-to-night temperature swings.

Major fashion brands have recently been rolling out new products embracing elegant minimalism. Women's fashion brand KUHO has unveiled a collection characterized by layering different lengths and a variety of fabric textures. The brand has placed particular emphasis on cashmere this season, increasing supplies of its versatile knitwear by more than 40 percent from last year.

Emerging women's fashion brand The Aperture has also presented a fall collection that reinterprets the minimalism of the past in a contemporary way, drawing a positive response. Its Raglan Pleats Top, known for its softly flowing silhouette, is now being produced in additional quantities in all colors. Sales of its signature H-line skirt rose by more than 200 percent from January through August compared with the same period last year.

The popularity of minimalism is also being linked to the rise of slow fashion amid economic uncertainty, according to industry analysts. “Consumers who are tired of rapidly changing trends are looking for high-quality clothes that are not tied to trends and can be worn for a long time,” a fashion industry official said. “It is also connected to a culture of rational consumption that encourages people to reduce unnecessary spending.”

A campaign image from women's fashion brand The Aperture's 2026 fall collection features a classic shirt and H-line skirts. Courtesy of Samsung C&T Fashion Group

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.

优雅极简主义正成为今年秋冬季的关键时尚趋势。各大品牌不再追求醒目的品牌标识，而是强调高品质面料、精准剪裁和低调色彩，同时服装廓形也趋向于更加柔和流畅的线条。叠穿和面料质感也变得尤为重要，一些品牌的极简主义单品销量也实现了强劲增长。

本季，米色、棕色和灰色等中性色预计将取代 20 世纪 90 年代极简主义的黑白配色。

三星时尚研究所表示，面料的密度和触感是优雅极简主义的基础，并着重强调了羊绒、丝绸和缎子。

KUHO 的多功能针织服装供应量比去年增加了 40% 以上，而 The Aperture 表示，其 H 字裙的销量从 1 月到 8 月比去年同期增长了 200% 以上。

发布于2026年9月20日凌晨12:00（韩国标准时间）

KUHO的秋冬系列以线条和廓形勾勒出的雕塑美感为特色，摒弃了不必要的装饰。图片由三星C&T时尚集团提供。

低调之美正当红。继 2020 年代“静谧奢华”和“老钱”风格兴起之后，“优雅极简主义”正成为今年秋冬季的关键时尚潮流。

时尚界认为，优雅的极简主义正在主导市场，各大品牌通过高品质的材料、精准的剪裁和柔和的色彩来强调自身的特色，而不是依靠华丽的装饰或醒目的标志。

上世纪90年代极简主义盛行之时，黑白两色是主流。然而，业内人士预计，本季米色、棕色和灰色等中性色将成为主流。服装廓形也在发生变化。过去，纤细是设计重点，而如今的设计则更倾向于柔和、立体的线条。设计强调流畅的线条，使其能够轻柔地贴合身体曲线。

本季，面料的质感也将成为一大亮点。“面料的密度和触感是优雅极简主义的基础，”三星时尚研究所的一位官员表示，“轻盈且能营造蓬松感的面料，例如羊绒、丝绸和缎面，预计将被广泛运用。”

大衣将继续主导外套市场，而短款夹克和设计简洁实用的轻便羽绒服预计也将保持流行。

KUHO 与国际时装设计师 Francesco Fucci 上月发布的合作系列，以精致的设计和流畅的廓形为特色，摒弃了不必要的细节。图片由三星物产时尚集团提供

叠穿也逐渐成为一种重要的穿搭技巧。通过叠穿不同颜色和质地的衣物，可以为原本可能显得单调的极简造型增添层次感，同时也能优雅地展现个人风格。叠穿的另一个优势在于，它能轻松应对昼夜温差较大的天气状况。

近期，各大时尚品牌纷纷推出崇尚优雅简约风格的新品。女装品牌KUHO发布了全新系列，以不同长度的单品叠穿和丰富的面料质感为特色。本季，该品牌尤其注重羊绒面料，其多功能针织衫的供应量较去年增加了40%以上。

新兴女装品牌The Aperture也推出了秋季系列，以现代手法重新诠释了昔日的极简主义，并获得了积极的市场反响。其标志性的褶裥插肩袖上衣以其柔美飘逸的廓形而闻名，目前所有颜色均已加量生产。该品牌招牌H字裙的销量在今年1月至8月期间较去年同期增长超过200%。

据业内分析人士称，极简主义的流行也与经济不确定性背景下慢时尚的兴起有关。一位时尚界人士表示：“厌倦了快速变化的潮流的消费者正在寻找不受潮流左右、可以长期穿着的高品质服装。这也与理性消费文化有关，这种文化鼓励人们减少不必要的开支。”

这张来自女装品牌 The Aperture 2026 秋季系列的宣传照展示了一件经典衬衫和 H 字裙。图片由三星 C&T 时尚集团提供。

本文来自《韩国日报》（《韩国时报》的姊妹报），由人工智能生成系统翻译，并由《韩国时报》编辑。