For those of us who encountered them the first time around, the comeback of certain Y2K fashion trends can be… confronting. The early 2000s was full of iconic style moments, but it also had its fair share of sartorial faux pas. Chunky zebra highlights? Trucker hats? Butterfly clips? We’ll gladly retire those forever. But there are some trends that we’re willing to reconsider. Case in point? Peplum, bermuda shorts and cold-shoulder silhouettes. Here, we break down how to wear them – the 2026 way.  

We thought we’d retired our peplum tops back in 2008, along with our bib necklaces and maxi dresses. But we were wrong. With nods on the runway at Hermes, Dior, and Bottega Veneta, the peplum silhouette has swung back into our lives full-force. There are great iterations available this season. KOOKAÏ and Nude Lucy’s takes are structural, best paired with a tailored trouser, plenty of jewellery, and a sky-high stiletto. Zara’s version leans towards Scandi minimalism, a black style best worn with a monochrome look, perhaps a capri pant with a low slingback or sandal. DISSH has a sweeter, more feminine style. Balance their frilly girlishness with a low-rise jean and sneaker for an easy play with proportion. 

The Bermuda short has gotten a bad wrap in the past, especially when one thinks about the long surf shorts of the early Noughties. But that’s about to change this summer. This new crop of Bermuda shorts are sleek, tailored, and undeniably chic. Taking cues from the Resort shows of brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton, Seed, Bec + Bridge, H&M and more are offering elevated takes on the style. Sandro’s interpretation feels closer to a cropped trouser than a long short, cut just below the knee and best worn cinched at the waist with a great leather belt. Bec + Bridge, lean into streetwear with their denim short (add a sheer long-sleeved tee for maximum impact). Viktoria & Woods’ white loose-fitting style is pure elegance. And H&M and Seed are pushing into the transseasonal, with styles that can easily be worn again in cooler months with a matching jacket.  

The ‘one shoulder’ top – also known by its other moniker, the ‘going out top’ – seemed until recently to be a permanent relic of the early Noughts. From Paris Hilton to Britney Spears, no one was safe from the pull of the cold-shoulder, particularly when worn with a handkerchief hem skirt and finished in a garish colour palette. Thankfully, this new season iteration of the cold shoulder is far chicer than its Y2K originators. With Ferragamo and Fendi making cases for the silhouette on the runways of Milan, there’s a focus on fabrication and cut. Less midriff-baring polyester, more flattering shapes finished in soft wools, silks, and jerseys. Witchery are championing the trend with lightweight knits in cream and black. Viktoria & Woods’ take features a chic neutral print, and Seed leans into sleek minimalism with understated ruching. Our advice when it comes to styling? Stick to the classics: tuck more fitted styles into high-rise trousers, or balance slouchier shapes with low-slung cargo pants. 

Holly wears

Scanlan Theodore top, shorts, bracelets, Cotton On eyewear, Ralph Lauren bag, Zara rings and headpiece, Camilla earring, David Jones shoes.

Sophia wears

Look 1: Bec + Bridge top, shoes, Maje shorts, belt, Scanlan Theodore bag, Sportsgirl jewellery.