Not Stressed and Half-Dressed: Fashion’s New Runway Obsession

The bra is back, but not the way your mom wore it in the ’90s. According to the Spring/Summer 2026 runways, underwear-as-outerwear has officially entered its “can’t-be-bothered” era. Forget sleek bralettes tucked neatly under tailoring — this season, bras are slipping out, hanging half-on, peeking behind unbuttoned shirts and generally looking like you ran out of time but decided to strut the runway anyway. Relatable, right?

We’ve already had sculptural silhouettes in Copenhagen, clashing color riots in London, and a citywide egg hunt in Milan (thanks, Diesel). But one theme kept popping up like a wardrobe malfunction: Undone Dressing. Not sheer, not scandalous — just unfinished. Bras as tops, bras as props, bras as “I’ll button it later.”

The Quick-Change Life

Paris kicked things off with Julie Kegels’ Quick Change collection, basically a love letter to women who get dressed in the Uber on the way to work. Models carried shirts in their hands, walked with jumpers half-on, and looked like they’d just been interrupted mid-outfit. The message? Life is chaos, and so is your wardrobe. Why fight it when you can make it fashion?

Milan Makes It Messy

Over in Milan, The Attico declared the bra officially back. Sure, sheer fabrics are still dominating, but here bras got promoted to the centerpiece — styled under half-open blazers and power shirts. Think “I’m put together, but only if you don’t look too closely.” Clashing colors added to the chaos, and yes, there was plenty of pink.

Prada

Meanwhile Prada? Prada said: what if we don’t even finish putting the bra on? Tops were sort of… placed, hovering over the chest, fastened only by the designer’s intentions (and maybe tape). It’s a look that screams casual slouch chic, though let’s be honest, it caters to the small-chest crowd.

So, Why Now?

This undone bra moment feels like fashion finally admitting what we all know: no one actually has the time (or energy) to fully get dressed anymore. Between quick commutes, endless scrolling, and 3-day-old hair, half-done is the new done. And fashion, as always, is simply reflecting the chaos — just with better tailoring.

So yes, the bra is back. But not as underwear, not as outerwear — it’s back as a shrug. A suggestion. A half-thought-out gesture of clothing. In other words, fashion has decided that effort is overrated.

Daniel Usidamen

Author