The Who What Wear Podcast

Episode: Spring 2026 Shopping Guide: Glamorous Dressing, Advanced Layering, and Oversized Sunglasses

Date: March 11, 2026
Host: Bobby Schessler (Shopping Director)
Guests: Bree Welch (Stylist), Audrey Huey (Associate Shopping Editor)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode dives into the Who What Wear Spring 2026 Shopping Guide, featuring insights from stylist Bree Welch and associate shopping editor Audrey Huey. The lively conversation covers the most prominent trends from the Spring/Summer 2026 runways—glamorous dressing, advanced layering, color trends, the resurgence of 80s and 90s aesthetics, and an in-depth look at must-have accessories like oversized sunglasses. Listeners receive practical advice for incorporating new trends into their wardrobes and styling maximalist elements and vintage finds with accessible, real-life tips.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Spring 2026 Fashion Trends Overview

• Maximalism & Glamorous Dressing

  • Shift from the minimalist, neutral trends of previous years.
  • Reference to Old Hollywood: silks, fun, and flirty details.
    • Bree: “It’s the shift to like, fun, flirty fashion again and a little bit more, like, maximalism. Reminds me kind of of like old Hollywood with, like, silks and things like that.” (02:36)
  • Inspiration from Valentino’s S/S 26 show and Caro Editions in Copenhagen.

• Embellishments

  • Increase in brooches, scarves, and statement accessories, often styled in unconventional ways (not just on lapels).
    • Bree: “I love a brooch. You're pro brooch forever.” (03:30)

2. Colors of the Season

• Vibrant, energetic shades: red and purple combos, turquoise, citrus orange, dark teal.

  • Audrey: “I honestly love, like, a red and purple mix. I think turquoise is going to be, like, a big color as well.” (04:14)
  • Bree: “If you’re wearing a citrus orange top, you’re not going to feel sad. Right?” (04:32)

• Tips for Color Shy Fashionistas

  • Start small: add color using accessories, like sneakers, beanies, scarves.
    • Bree: “Wear a bright red sneaker... you've totally changed the origin of your whole outfit.” (05:03)
  • Play with scarf styles: around neck, as a headband, or around the waist—especially with Capri pants.

3. Capri Pants: Love or Hate?

• Divisive trend inspired by 50s silhouettes:
  • Bree: “I am not super interested in the Capri. I think they’re very hard to pull off.” (05:55)
  • Audrey: “I could not take... I had a pair of polka dot capris, which was like, 50s... they were so comfort... styled with kitten heels or flats.” (06:11)
• Styling tips: Tank tops, cashmere sweaters, trench coats, dance-inspired layering.

4. Advanced Layering for Spring

• Layering Formulas

  • Bree: “Just putting, like, a T shirt under a slip dress... classic from the 90s.” (07:27)
  • Bobby: “A longer white tee that sticks out like under a sweater. The contrast. That’s like my thing.” (07:44)
  • Audrey: Tank top over a long or short sleeve—nod to 2000s trends.

• Sweater & Cardigan Trends

  • Classic black cardigans from J. Crew.
  • Maxi cardigans: stylish but can risk looking like a robe. Most successful when styled with jeans.
  • Men’s-style sweaters and fitted V-neck tees highlighted.

5. Denim Dialogues

• Jeans Styles for 2026

  • 90s 501 Levi’s, stove pipe and cigarette jeans—streamlined but not skinny, not baggy.
  • Bree owns 25–30 pairs, advocates for vintage and secondhand options.
    • “Some of them are vintage. And look, you always come back to them.” (10:12)

• Sourcing Tips for Vintage & Unique Finds

  • Use eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee and be specific with search filters.
  • Save favorite sellers for consistent shopping. (10:52)
  • Bree described her longtime relationship with eBay for vintage denim and shared best-practice tips.

6. Transitional Outerwear

• Spring Coats in Focus
  • Trench coats are essential—oversized, trapeze cuts, or with feminine tailored shoulders.
    • Audrey: “I really want one from that brand Rue Sophie.” (12:32)
    • Bree: “I have a great one from the Frankie shop. It’s like gigantic and oversized.” (13:03)
  • 80s references: modern take on volume and shoulder details, without being “literal and sort of tacky.” (13:31)

7. Statement Accessories

• Oversized Sunglasses

  • Audrey: “I know that smaller frames look better on my face… but I kind of feel like… I don’t mind looking like a bug right now.” (14:44)
  • Both hosts and guests love the trend for big, maximalist glasses, seeing them as an instant outfit-elevator.

• Bags

  • Classic shoulder bags, slightly quirky (“something with a little bit of cork”).
  • Pops of color in handbags to liven up basics—e.g., a little red bag.
  • Bag trends from Chanel with “open and falling” bags—fun but not practical for city life. (16:56)

8. Dream Spring Outfit Formulas

• Statement Skirts

  • Bree: “A skirt that’s maybe not super classic. Something that has either like a cutout… or some sort of weird ruching… using it as the grounding point of your spring wardrobe.” (17:15)
  • Audrey: Colorful, knee-length sets and pointelle skirts with matching tanks. Emphasis on two-piece vintage skirt suits for versatility (wear the blazer with denim, the skirt alone).

• Shoes

  • Reformation pumps, ballet flats (“camper ballet flats” for comfort in NYC), and flat sneakers.
  • Jamie Haller and Dries Van Noten praised for their take on non-chunky, low-profile sneakers.
  • Grandpa sneakers and "Mary Janes" as emerging comfort-forward trends.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Maximalism:

  • “It’s the shift to fun, flirty fashion again and a little bit more, like, maximalism. Reminds me kind of of like old Hollywood…” — Bree (02:36)

• On Color:

  • “If you’re wearing a citrus orange top, you’re not going to feel sad. Right?” — Bree (04:32)
  • “I feel like I honestly love, like, a red and purple mix.” — Audrey (04:14)

• Capri Pant Realness:

  • “I could not take… my boyfriend was like, ‘I don’t like these.’ And I was like, ‘I don’t care, I’m gonna still wear them.’” — Audrey (06:31)

• On Vintage Shopping:

  • “When you find a seller you like, save them… because if you like a couple of the items they’re selling, [you’ll] probably like the majority of the stock…” — Bree (11:13)

• On Sunglasses:

  • “I know that smaller frames look better on my face… but I don’t mind looking like a bug right now.” — Audrey (14:44)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:30]: Discussion kicks off with Spring 2026 trend predictions
• [03:30]: Brooches, embellishments, and maximalism
• [04:00]: Color trends and tips for adding color
• [05:55]: Capri pants debate and styling tips
• [07:27]: Layering advice and formulas
• [08:39]: All about cardigans and sweater trends
• [09:36]: The great jeans debate, styles, and vintage shopping
• [11:16]: eBay shopping tips and using the “Watch List”
• [12:18]: Coats and transitional outerwear for spring
• [13:28]: 80s revival in silhouettes and tailoring
• [14:38]: Oversized sunglasses and accessories
• [15:45]: Bag trends and practical vs. fun shapes
• [17:15]: Dream spring outfit formulas and shopping for statement skirts
• [19:00]: Shoe trends: ballet flats, sneakers, and comfort
• [20:00]: Low-profile and “grandpa” sneakers

Takeaways for Listeners

• 2026 spring shopping means welcoming bold colors, statement accessories, and glamorous, maximalist touches.
• Layering, especially with classic and retro formulas, makes dressing practical and fresh.
• Secondhand marketplaces like eBay are goldmines—be strategic and you’ll find one-of-a-kind items.
• Classic, versatile pieces (trench coats, cardigans, jeans) update instantly with new colors and inventive styling.
• Comfortable footwear and accessories allow personal expression without sacrificing practicality.

Hosts keep the chat playful, candid, and friendly, peppered with personal anecdotes and tangible takeaways for real-world wardrobes. Whether you're trend-forward or closet-shy, there’s a way to dip into 2026’s biggest fashion moments.