Derived from the search behavior of 480 million users worldwide, the trend signals a desire for bold statements as people seek personal expression.
Is “quiet luxury’’ already over? Sure, many of us benefited from this trend defined by the minimalist “less is more” principle. Since it surged into the mainstream spotlight in 2023, people have been more mindful of their consumption, opting only for classic, well-made pieces, and have started embracing a lifestyle of comfort, timeless style, and confidence. It was the trend until 2025 and as 2026 begins, Gen Z and millennials are officially dumping it for something loud, creative, and truly personal.
This year, young to middle-aged folks are shifting from minimalism towards bold self-expression, rich colors, loud patterns, and layered textures in fashion and beauty. This is according to Pinterest’s 2026 trends report, which predicted that the “more is more” aesthetic will experience a significant resurgence, as people seek personal expression, sensory richness, and a rejection of bland uniformity in a world that often feels chaotic and, well, boring.
2026 is the year to go full-on glamour with ‘Opera Aesthetic‘ also stepping into the spotlight, swapping simplicity for spectacle, as inspired by the drama, romance, and opulence of historic opera houses.
As with every Pinterest Predictions report that the visual social media platform releases each year, last December’s results were derived from the searches its 480 million global users made on the app. Then, its team of experts analyzes the data along with real-world observations. “As a final step, we gut-check growth potential, using a mix of predictive analytics to ensure trends have staying power,” it wrote in its playbook.
In 2026, Pinterest predicts that the maximalism aesthetic is making a comeback in major fashion movements such as the “Glamoratti.” The trend is a return to ’80s-inspired maximalist glamour and would easily grab attention through oversized silhouettes, bold designs, and opulent, chunky gold jewelry.
It was derived from an increase in searches for ’80s luxury (+225%), baggy suits (+90%), chunky belt (+65%), high collar jacket (+60%), and gold cuff (+50%). And with this trend, Pinterest sees that “tailored suits with sculpted shoulders will grow three sizes, funnel necks will be the base of every outfit, and jewellery? Well, that’ll get chunkier, bolder and golder.”
Related story: Dior embraces everyday opulence in Pre-Fall 2026 collection
Related story: Carolina Herrera Spring 2026: A spectacle of blooms at the heart of Madrid
2026 is indeed the year to go full-on glamour, with “Opera Aesthetic” also stepping into the spotlight. It swaps simplicity for spectacle, as inspired by the drama, romance, and opulence of historic opera houses. It focuses on rich textures, deep colors, vintage finds, and theatrical decor for a maximalist feel in fashion.
Expect parties to “become more opulent than ever, as millennials and Gen Z bring the vintage theater aesthetic to every one of their gatherings,” Pinterest said. Searches for midnight masquerade (+95%), opera outfits (+55%), and opera theater (+35%), on the app increased significantly last year, so it won’t be a surprise if lace collars, velvet textures, sparkling gold jewelry, intricate long dresses, and touches of vintage glamour start making their way into our feeds in the coming weeks.
Related story: From Bruce Wayne and Al Capone to an American Gigolo, Giorgio Armani made cinema elegant
Related story: Ferragamo Pre-Fall 2026 spotlights 1920s Hollywood
If you’re looking for ways to be more whimsical with your fashion, there’s the “Wilderkind” trend, which is a nature-inspired aesthetic that mixes woodland motifs, wildlife-inspired patterns and soft, folk-y organic textures, all in one look. It first became popular in late 2025, and is predicted by Pinterest to continue enchanting fashion junkies who want to “go all in on animal aesthetics, but with a delicate touch.”
To achieve this look, take your cue from top Pinterest searches such as animal-inspired outfits (+90%), flower outfit for men (+105%), bug jewelry (+60%), dragonfly nails (+145%), and deer aesthetic (+55%). The app also suggests elevating your look with “soft fawn freckles, butterfly wing nail art, and fox-inspired outfits that hint at forest magic.”
Another way to bring playfulness and perky vibes to the new year is by transforming your wardrobe into a psychedelic spectacle as with the “Gimme Gummy” trend. Pinterest sees 2026 as the year we’re going “full-on gummy,” which means we’ll be seeing a plethora of squishy, translucent, jelly-like textures and bright, candy-inspired colors popping all over the internet.
Any ‘90s kid would find it easy (and fun) to achieve this look, as it evokes childhood memories, especially from the late ‘90s and the early 2000s. It draws from top Pinterest searches “gummy bears aesthetic” (+50%) and “jelly candy aesthetic” (+100), which would often result in chunky bangles, rubberized nail art, sparkling lip gloss,littery eyeshadows, and gummy-themed accessories in nineties rainbow colors.
Another proof that 2026 is the perfect time to go full-on maximalist? There’s the “Glitchy Glam” trend which is set to take the internet by storm in the coming year. “The perfect winged liner? She doesn’t go here. This year, beauty is missing the mark—on purpose,” Pinterest described the movement in a press release.
Glitchy Glam, like many of this year’s trends, celebrates imperfection, imagination, and a fearless approach to self-expression. It is defined by avant-garde makeup details, like bright eyeshadow with mismatched colors and dual-toned lipsticks, as well as asymmetrical haircuts and manicure where you use a different color for each nail.
Driven by interest in eccentric makeup (+100%), weird makeup looks (+115%), nails with different colors on each hand (+125%), and above all, avant-garde makeup tutorial (+270%), Glitchy Glam is a a rebellious take on traditional beauty and fashion. It challenges the “clean girl” and “effortlessly perfect” glam we’ve been seeing everywhere, with the beauty of the broken and unconventional.
Related article: How to achieve the clean girl aesthetic
Related article: This TikTok makeup trend is embracing the eyebags we’ve been hiding for years
In 2025, we saw men layering chains, rocking signet rings, and sporting bracelets. Accessories have become a medium for bold self-expression among gents, and with the new year comes a new “it” accessory that’ll make them wear their heart on their sleeve, or tie, or socks with more art—brooches.
“In 2026, Boomer and Millennial men will punctuate their fits with vintage pins, crystal clip-ons and heirloom brooches. It’s part homage, part reinvention,” Pinterest reported. This “Brooched” trend is making a major comeback, as seen in the increase in Pinterest searches for brooch aesthetic (+110%), maximalist accessories (+105%), brooch for men suit (+90%), and heirloom jewelry (+45%). It’s no wonder, as brooches have long been a means of self-expression for the young and old, adding character, sparkle, or a focal point to everything from plain shirts and jeans to formal wear.
Find the rest of the 21 trends that Pinterest predicted to rule fashion, beauty, home design, and travel in 2026 on its report here.
