Prediction: *This* Surprising Watch Trend Will Be the Most-Complimented Accessory of 2026

Prediction: *This* Surprising Watch Trend Will Be the Most-Complimented Accessory of 2026

      (Image credit: Citizen) If you follow my work and social media, you know I cover a variety of subjects, ranging from runway insights to travel tips. This year, I've notably increased my focus on women's watches. I visited Geneva for the watch industry's premier event, spoke with experts about the celebrity-driven fascination with vintage watches, and reported on the latest luxury releases, among other activities. With this background, I'm confident in my predictions for watch trends in 2026.

      My latest fascination? Raindrop-shaped cases, like those featured in the new Citizen L Rainell. While you could opt for another round or square watch, the raindrop design feels much more contemporary and exciting for 2026. "Rooted in over a century of horological excellence and inspired by the brand’s Tokyo design archives, Rainell captures the evolution of femininity through bold form, refined artistry, and intentional detail," Citizen stated in a press release. Continue reading to explore this trend.

      Shop the Raindrop Watch Trend

      CITIZEN

      Citizen L Rainell

      CITIZEN

      Citizen L Rainell

      CITIZEN

      Citizen L Rainell

      CITIZEN

      Citizen L Rainell

Prediction: *This* Surprising Watch Trend Will Be the Most-Complimented Accessory of 2026 Prediction: *This* Surprising Watch Trend Will Be the Most-Complimented Accessory of 2026 Prediction: *This* Surprising Watch Trend Will Be the Most-Complimented Accessory of 2026 Prediction: *This* Surprising Watch Trend Will Be the Most-Complimented Accessory of 2026 Prediction: *This* Surprising Watch Trend Will Be the Most-Complimented Accessory of 2026

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The concepts behind the spring 2026 Schiaparelli collection began when Creative Director Daniel Roseberry read about the decline in movie attendance in recent years alongside the surprising increase in museum visits. "It struck me as completely logical," he mentioned in the show notes. "Our phones offer a mix of superficial entertainment with very short-lived appeal." He then questioned why this reality had been accepted without challenge. "Is this truly what we desire?" he pondered. Despite the abundance of entertainment in 2025, Roseberry felt that genuine inspiration is becoming increasingly scarce. Consequently, he aimed to encapsulate authentic and valuable inspiration for the collection named Dancer in the Dark. The latest runway show occurred at the Centre Pompidou, in the same space that hosted the Brancusi retrospective just eighteen months earlier. Roseberry wasn't trying to create a direct link between fashion and art but rather wanted attending a Schiaparelli show to evoke the experience of visiting a museum. "It should invoke the feeling of dancing alone at home after work. It should feel like dancing in the dark—equally freeing; equally private; equally joyful." Roseberry has carved his own identity at Schiaparelli, yet Elsa Schiaparelli, the founder of the house in 1927, remains a continual source of motivation. Roseberry stated, "Schiaparelli RTW has always occupied the space between commercial viability and creative release. Elsa was never a creator of new silhouettes—that was never her intention. She also wasn’t a genius at brand marketing. However, she was brilliant in her cultural engagement." This connection to Elsa is most apparent in the Schiaparelli jacket, which is simple and sharp, devoid of excess embellishments. It epitomizes discipline and restraint. Roseberry refers to this idea as "hard chic," an aesthetic also reflected in the column dresses. The trompe l'oeil knitwear was rendered in three-tone jacquards as a nod to Elsa's knitted pieces. Bias-cut dresses with tears paid homage to the 1938 Tears Dress, a Surrealist collaboration between Schiaparelli and Salvador Dalí. Roseberry emphasized the importance of creating accessories that would be as enjoyable as the ready-to-wear collection, which certainly was achieved. The Secret, Schiaparelli's padlock handbag, was designed in new dimensions to echo Dalí’s melting clocks. "Every shoe and handbag starts with sketches, which I believe is evident in the final items," Roseberry noted. The bag possesses a raw quality that contributes to its quirky charm; it does not take itself too seriously. For a considerable time, Roseberry felt uncertain about the common perception that his ready-to-wear collection resembled couture. Initially viewing it as a critique, he has since re-evaluated his stance. "Now, six years into this journey at Schiaparelli, what once felt like a drawback now appears to be a strength. Who wouldn’t want to engage in a fantasy that simplifies daily life? Why shouldn’t fashion—even everyday fashion—be considered art?" His spring 2026 collection illustrated just that, proving there's no reason not to don apparel that wouldn’t seem out of place in a museum—particularly when that apparel bears the Schiaparelli name. The concepts behind the spring 2026 Schiaparelli collection began when Creative Director Daniel Roseberry read about the decline in movie attendance in recent years alongside the surprising increase in museum visits. "It struck me as completely logical," he mentioned in the show notes. "Our phones offer a mix of superficial entertainment with very short-lived appeal." He then questioned why this reality had been accepted without challenge. "Is this truly what we desire?" he pondered. Despite the abundance of entertainment in 2025, Roseberry felt that genuine inspiration is becoming increasingly scarce. Consequently, he aimed to encapsulate authentic and valuable inspiration for the collection named Dancer in the Dark. The latest runway show occurred at the Centre Pompidou, in the same space that hosted the Brancusi retrospective just eighteen months earlier. Roseberry wasn't trying to create a direct link between fashion and art but rather wanted attending a Schiaparelli show to evoke the experience of visiting a museum. "It should invoke the feeling of dancing alone at home after work. It should feel like dancing in the dark—equally freeing; equally private; equally joyful." Roseberry has carved his own identity at Schiaparelli, yet Elsa Schiaparelli, the founder of the house in 1927, remains a continual source of motivation. Roseberry stated, "Schiaparelli RTW has always occupied the space between commercial viability and creative release. Elsa was never a creator of new silhouettes—that was never her intention. She also wasn’t a genius at brand marketing. However, she was brilliant in her cultural engagement." This connection to Elsa is most apparent in the Schiaparelli jacket, which is simple and sharp, devoid of excess embellishments. It epitomizes discipline and restraint. Roseberry refers to this idea as "hard chic," an aesthetic also reflected in the column dresses. The trompe l'oeil knitwear was rendered in three-tone jacquards as a nod to Elsa's knitted pieces. Bias-cut dresses with tears paid homage to the 1938 Tears Dress, a Surrealist collaboration between Schiaparelli and Salvador Dalí. Roseberry emphasized the importance of creating accessories that would be as enjoyable as the ready-to-wear collection, which certainly was achieved. The Secret, Schiaparelli's padlock handbag, was designed in new dimensions to echo Dalí’s melting clocks. "Every shoe and handbag starts with sketches, which I believe is evident in the final items," Roseberry noted. The bag possesses a raw quality that contributes to its quirky charm; it does not take itself too seriously. For a considerable time, Roseberry felt uncertain about the common perception that his ready-to-wear collection resembled couture. Initially viewing it as a critique, he has since re-evaluated his stance. "Now, six years into this journey at Schiaparelli, what once felt like a drawback now appears to be a strength. Who wouldn’t want to engage in a fantasy that simplifies daily life? Why shouldn’t fashion—even everyday fashion—be considered art?" His spring 2026 collection illustrated just that, proving there's no reason not to don apparel that wouldn’t seem out of place in a museum—particularly when that apparel bears the Schiaparelli name. Here is my complete review. Here’s How to Prioritize Who What Wear Articles in Your Google Search Results Here’s How to Prioritize Who What Wear Articles in Your Google Search Results It's really simple. A New Era Begins at Loewe—and the Future Looks Promising A New Era Begins at Loewe—and the Future Looks Promising Here’s our analysis of Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez's first appearance for the Spanish fashion brand at Paris Fashion Week. Daniel Roseberry showcased a real-life Schiaparelli fantasy to combat the current trend of sloppiness. Daniel Roseberry showcased a real-life Schiaparelli fantasy to combat the current trend of sloppiness. It's the type of collection that will make you pause your doomscrolling.

Prediction: *This* Surprising Watch Trend Will Be the Most-Complimented Accessory of 2026

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