2010s chevron to make a comeback
If there were one print to describe the 2010s, it would be chevron. With its bold, continuous inverted-V print, you literally couldn’t escape this zigzag pattern. It was everywhere—from infinity scarves to flowy maxi dresses to even home decor. Chevron print was quintessential 2010s, and it may just be coming back, but not in the way you may think.
Is 2026 the new 2016?
Fashion has always made comebacks in cycles that repurpose old trends for today’s society—and it shows. Various print trends have already resurfaced, such as bold animal prints like leopard or cheetah, which emerged in the 2020s as a result of the Y2K aesthetic hype. Even this year’s polka-dot obsession, which is inspired by vintage pin-up and 1950s fashion, is back in style.
Nostalgia also plays a role in these trend cycles. If you were chronically online earlier this year, you might have heard the phrase “2026 is the new 2016.” This refers to the trend of people reviving mid-2010s Tumblr-era fashion through photo dumps and likewise reposting 2016 aesthetics accompanied by songs from the era.
In line with this reliving of the past, even bright aqua blue has become one of this year’s colors of the summer.
An example is earlier this year, when Brandy Melville dropped their Priscilla Pants and many other clothing pieces in the same teal-like color—aptly called aquamarine—which has already taken over the internet in waves. It’s a color from the 2010s that I honestly never expected to see again, let alone look cute.
Perhaps with all this nostalgia returning, it’s the right time to bring back another popular trend from the past, and that’s the chevron.
Runway zigzags are back
There are already brands fueling the possible chevron comeback, demonstrating the versatility of the print, from summery earth tones to dark, sharp zigzags for the winter.
1. Missoni
Missoni is a luxury Italian fashion house that is expected to be the forerunner for this return of the zigzag craze as one of the original designers for colorful lightning-bolt chevron patterns in fashion. And it still remains a classic.
The brand’s recent Spring/Summer 2026 Beachwear Collection features chevron in swimsuits and lightweight knit pieces that have an elegant, spontaneous feel thanks to the silhouettes that naturally complement your body.
2. Alexander McQueen
Chevron isn’t just coming back for the summer and Alexander McQueen proves just that. The brand debuted its Autumn/Winter 2026 pre-collection with structured inverted-V patterns in darker colors, giving chevron a sharper, darker look through their Manta Bag, tailored pants, and collared dress.
3. Chanel
More recently, Chanel’s Look 46 from their Fall 2026 Haute Couture collection reimagined their iconic tweed sets with a zigzag twist and a matching fur coat in a color scheme of gray, black, and hints of red, reminiscent of Alexander McQueen’s chevron.
4. M/SA by Sakina M’Sa
The beloved zigzag print was also featured by French ethical fashion designer Sakina M’Sa in her M/SA (Makers of Sustainable Aesthetics) Spring/Summer 2026 Collection. The patterned pieces this time had structured shoulders and thick lines in subdued shades from cream to brown with touches of blue.
5. Cynthia Abila
Another designer who has created high-fashion chevron pieces while paying homage to their cultural artistry is African designer Cynthia Abila, whose bold V-shaped patterned clothing is handwoven by native Nigerian artisans, as the geometric motif is prominent in African garments.
Her Hura Two-Piece and Ugebe bubble dress have such elegant silhouettes with sleeves that remind me of our country’s beloved Filipiniana, while the Kemi Two-Piece is simply a zigzag standout for any special occasion.
6. Adidas
Beyond the runway, Adidas has been spotted bringing back the chevron print on its Samba OG shoes as well. The brand designed the patterned shoe with a similar color throughout, so it’s a subtler interpretation of the 2010s chevron.
As of now, it is available in two colors: light pink and emerald green.
Is it a chevrON or chevrOFF?
This time around, chevron is different from the thick, jagged stripes in color combinations of black, coral, or aqua/mint blue that we were raving over back in the day. Fashion brands have lately been transforming this classic zigzag pattern that was associated with tackiness into something more stylish and contemporary, with more intentional prints, hues, and fabrics.
So, no, you don’t have to bring back those chunky statement necklaces yet if you don’t want to.
Personally, I am all for this chevron print resurgence. Seeing the inverted-V patterns in recent collections feels like a natural return of this trend and has me warming up to it. I certainly have no problem zigzagging back to the past in fashion, especially if it’s chevron.
I’m just hoping that galaxy print won’t come back just yet.
