Fashion has always found a way to evoke a particular emotion within the wearer and observer, but not often is a method of styling named after the feeling it conjures. Nonetheless, romantic fashion—with its billowing silhouettes, warm tones, and medley of textures—is one of them, and it has found its way back onto the runways and in our closets. Whether it’s a response to minimalism’s extended reign or to the irresistible pull of quiet luxury, fashion is clearly becoming emotional again.

Even a longing for escapism is not impervious to trends. In recent years, the Internet has been all about incorporating small habits to romanticise your life. The trend, born during the pandemic and later popularised by TikTok (the hashtag #romanticiseyourlife yields over half a million results on the platform), was our answer to surviving the repeated routines and isolation of lockdowns. It encouraged us to take the mundane and the dreary, and view it through a dreamy, rose-tinted lens. 

Today, fashion is dressing as though it’s back in love, in the form of textured garments, fluid silhouettes, florals and whimsical motifs, and sheer fabric. But fashion is rarely an individual performance—instead acting as a mirror reflecting history, society, technology, and more. To understand the resurgence of romantic dressing, we’d have to look back to when the Romantic era first surfaced in Europe—during the late 18th century, when artistic and intellectual movements were largely responding to the rise of the Industrial Revolution and the Age of Enlightenment. During a period dominated by ideas rising from scientific and logical reason, artists and writers chose to resist with emotion, imagination, nostalgia, nature, and beauty. As our world becomes increasingly tech-driven, we follow in their footsteps: people are yet again craving signs of the human touch, be it in handcrafted goods or slightly flawed creations. 

This shift toward frivolity is best exemplified by the current cultural obsession with nostalgia. Period dressing, echoing a quaint, bygone era, is a telling facet of the romantic fashion trend—and it has its devotees reaching for ruffled collars, billowy white shirts, corsets, and waistcoats. It seems to have reached the world of cinema: a number of classic romance novels are set to receive new screen adaptations, from an upcoming Netflix series exploring Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, to a Sense and Sensibility movie starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and George Mackay.

Turning towards the runway, one of the most prominent portrayals of romantic dressing that comes to mind is Chemena Kamali’s highly-praised debut for Chloé. Kamali’s Fall/Winter 2024 collection, which saw lots of fringe, diaphanous fabric, lace, and boho ruffles, was built on nostalgia, lightness, and movement—a refreshing show marking the end of the sterile minimalism phase. 

In the seasons that followed, the runways steadily crept towards drama and emotion, coming to a head in the maximalist slant of the Fall/Winter 2026 season. Capes abounded, in all their sweeping, theatrical glory—in bohemian fashion at Chloé, and restrained elegance at Ralph Lauren and Tod’s. Texture and lace were mainstays across many a runway. Notably, many houses opted for dark, gothic romance, with night orchids at Proenza Schouler and sensual black lace at Fendi and Dolce & Gabbana. Who says love can’t come with a bite?

By the time Fall/Winter 2026 Haute Couture season rolled around last month, the world witnessed houses like Chanel play into themes of whimsy and fun, drawing inspiration from fairytale landscapes. Florals were a staple for many others, including Schiaparelli and Jean Paul Gaultier. 

Beyond the runway and on the streets, the shift is happening more quickly. Younger buyers are increasingly interested in clothing with history, which carries a lived-in effect. Vintage shopping creates access to wardrobes that feel personal and expressive, rather than curated by an algorithm. Even in music, this year has seen melancholic releases like Bruno Mars’ The Romantic and Olivia Rodrigo’s you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love. 

It’s no surprise that the fashion world is turning to romantic dressing in times of digital perfection. After all, fashion has always been an instrument of change and, at times, rebellion. To style the look, turn to experts like Zoë Kravitz, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Sabrina Carpenter, and Margot Robbie for inspiration.

This story originally appeared on GRAZIA Malaysia. Additional reporting by Anika Deshmukh.

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