Trends forecast 2026 - Damn Fine Greetings style
We tell our friends that we're at the edge of design, food, style and culture trends.
And we share our annual forecast for what will be HOT next year.
Even though they never ask for it.
Continuing this festive tradition, here are our 8 Damn Fine Greetings trends forecasted for 2026.
First up Damn Fine Greetings Co-founder Emma Russell’s trends for 2026:
Photo © Emma Russell
Evidence of the human hand in a generative AI world
“The evidence of a human hand feels like a really important trend that is coming our way. Whether that is reflected in handcrafted objects, naive “doodley” drawings or the resurgence of texture and noise in graphic design, we want to see that a real live person made a thing.
This is part of Damn Fine Greetings DNA with all of our cards being hand-drawn, but perhaps this year we’ll embrace perfect imperfection and have evidence of our inky fingers more obviously visible.”
Photo by Elle Leontiev on Unsplash
Acid Glitch Neo-Medieval and Neo-Gothic
“2025 saw the neo-medieval and gothic revivals trend and the predictors don’t think it’s going away for 2026. But I’m wondering if maybe we’ll see a more glitchy, acid edge thrown at it. I feel like there’s room for something quite fun in a combination of the glitch and medieval trends.”
Photo © Emma Russell
Circus, an antidote to Cloud Dancer?
“Pantone’s colour of the year is Cloud Dancer, an oh-shit-did-someone-say-recession-shade of neutral-undertoned greyish white. According to Pantone, “Cloud Dancer* is not just a color, it's a mindset.” Meh. Is it soft and cloudlike? Sure. Does it also feel a bit like a beautifully lit concrete bunker? Afraid so.
I think we might see more of a rebellion against this bland neutralification (yes, I made that up, please go with it) in design, than an acceptance of it. Outside of the continuing tendency for many new homes to be painted off-white, I feel like colour is not going to be packing its bags any time soon.
As a complete counter to Cloud Dancer, Circus inspired fashion and interior design, is sticking around and it’s my favourite. I was excited and a bit scared to see circus-chic’s appearance a couple of years ago, growing with clown-core. On the one hand, I loved that I could wear my weird little shorts, be covered in bows or enjoy my circus-inspired loo without anyone thinking I’m completely unhinged, but I have a continuing anxiety that it will drop back out of fashion and take years to get back to happy obscurity!
But let’s lean into it while it’s here. Playful colours, pastel gradients, patterns and whimsical silhouettes might just creep out from the wardrobe to our cards.”
*Pantone’s colour of the year 2026
Neo Deco
“Neo Deco is knocking at the door. This revisit has deep 60s vibes for me, which is not surprising because there was an art deco revival in the 60s. Warm earthy colours, formal geometric shapes, stone and wood luxury are going to be aspirational in 2026.
Pass me that martini and a marble coaster.”
Next up, Damn Fine Greetings Co-founder Michelle Goodall polishes her crystal ball and adds to the trends for 2026:
Photo by JJ Jordan
Funnel necks and brooches
“According to Pinterest, 'Funnel necks will be the base of every outfit. And jewellery? Well, that’ll get chunkier, bolder and golder. Gen Z and Millennials are driving this maximalist aesthetic.'
I flipping adore a funnel neck. It’s sculptural. It gives the wearer an instant Audrey Hepburn, mid-century easy elegance and a modern design aesthetic.
Flattering and practical. Funnel-necks keep you warm and make you look hot.
Statement brooches will also be big in 2026.
I’m totally here for a re-run of the 'brooch-at-the-centre-of-a-buttoned-up-blouse-collar' 1980s look. We'll all be raiding our nana's costume jewellery and accessorising with statement brooches. Glorious stuff!
Microgrowing gets massive
“Whether it’s microherbs, sprouting pulses or mushroom cultivation (fungiculture), I think we’ll see more and more people trying to grow edible foodstuffs at home. It’s surprising what edibles you can grow at home on a windowsill that only sees a little sunlight each day.
If you’re new to Microwgrowing, putting cut vegetable tops in shallow water containers is a simple way to regrow from kitchen scraps. Celery, lettuce, spring onions, carrots, coriander and many other herbs will sprout new greens or roots from the bases or tops.
Change the water every few days to encourage fresh growth for harvesting or transplanting into soil.
Buying potted herbs from a supermarket or garden centre is the easiest way to get the microgrowing bug. Keep potted Basil and Mint in a shallow dish of water and nip off leaves as you need them.”
Photo by Unjay Markiewicz on Unsplash
Food of 2026 - Cauliflower
“Oh Cauliflower. Cauliflower. Cauliflower! Queen of the Brassicas. How I love thee.
We were all over Hispi cabbage in 2025, but in 2026 this versatile, very British vegetable will be on every restaurant menu. Perhaps we’ll even gift each other colourful Cauliflower bouquets.
Come to me for a gazillion cauliflower recipes. I love it.”
Photo by Brock Wegner on Unsplash
Spirit of 2026 - Tequila and Mezcal
“Perennially popular, but these will be the growth spirits. The surge of Margarita and Paloma cocktails will reflect demand for clean, premium agave spirits and vibrant, citrus-forward drinks.
Think we’ve reached peak Spicy Margarita time? Pope of Nope.
But you will see more twists on a classic with the addition of ingredients such as Mango, toasted pineapple and other tropical fruits in 2026.”
Photo © Sue Burfield
Intergenerational clubbing
“I may be biased as the mum of Gen Zers, and also because I’ve learned how to DJ this year, but I believe we'll see a return to something similar that us 1980s/90/00s ravers were lucky to experience.
We’ll see more small club nights and invite-only parties focused on intergenerational mixing, putting mobile phones away and being part of stripped down, non-performative dancing collective.
We’ll see new locations and events catering to wider age groups and new forms of cross-generational connection.
The focus is on wild, riotous, carefree dancing and safe hedonism. And let's not forget those brilliant, nourishing conversations in the toilet queues and in chill out zones.
Let’s party like it’s 1989!"
Did you enjoy our forecasted trends?
Have we got them right?
Have we missed something?
Have we inspired you in any way?
Thanks for reading and for supporting us in 2025.
Here's to a peaceful, kind and beautiful 2026.
Much love, funnel necks, colour, neo gothicry and statement brooches,
Michelle and Emma - Damn Fine Greetings