Cast your mind back to 2011. You declared ballet flats finished. You said skinny jeans had had their moment. And, you swore you’d never wear a jort and sent your pair to Vinnies.
You’re in good company. For its 15th birthday, THE ICONIC surveyed more than 1,700 customers about the trends they once ruled out for good, and 82% have gone back on their word. Nearly half have pulled their ballet flats out again, and skinny jeans and double denim sit close behind.
Consider this your permission slip. Here are 15 Never Say Never comebacks, each with a 2026 twist.
The shoes and accessories
1. Ballet flats. The top comeback of the lot returns with a sharper edge. Look for mesh, studs, square toes and elastic straps.
2. Heeled thongs. The most divisive entry on the list is back with delicate leather straps, kitten heels and sculptural wedges.
3. Oversized sunglasses. Bug-eye frames return in thick acetate, with gradient lenses and futuristic visor shapes.
The denim department
4. Skinny jeans. The distressed pairs stay in the 2010s. This season’s version comes in clean dark washes and black denim, worn with oversized outerwear, loafers and boots.
5. Ultra-low-rise waist lines. The 2026 take shows up in relaxed wide leg denim and slouchy trousers, a softer cousin of the skin tight cuts from the 2000s.
6. Double denim. The Canadian tuxedo returns with matching washes, tailored cuts and structured sets.
7. Jorts. Baggy, below the knee and ready for a blazer, a loafer or a knee-high boot.
The silhouettes
8. Capris. High-waisted, tailored and stretchy, they look sharp under an oversized blazer with a pointed-toe heel.
9. Bandage dresses and tops. The ultra-tight mini has relaxed into midi dresses, halter tops and sculpted bodices.
10. Matching tracksuits. Grey sweats make way for monochrome velour and retro technical sets, finished with a structured coat and polished footwear.
11. The 3/4-sleeve top. The earl -2000s basic returns in refined boatnecks, fitted ribbing and lightweight knits.
The attitude
12. Grunge, indie sleaze and punk rock. Band tees, distressed pieces and heavy hardware get a polished update when they meet tailored trousers and elevated outerwear.
13. The lingerie look. Slip dressing and visible lace return, layered with tailoring, relaxed denim and oversized outerwear.
14. Fringe. The Western tassel has given way to refined texture across skirts, dresses, jackets, bags and shoes.
15. Animal prints. Leopard and zebra now read as neutrals, and they look right at home on oversized coats, satin skirts and relaxed tailoring.
A few fun facts from 15 years of retail
THE ICONIC shared some of its own milestones along the way. Three of its five best-selling products of all time are sneakers: the Vans Old Skool, Superga Cotu Classic and Converse Chuck Taylor All Star. The current top seller is the adidas Originals Handball Spezial Unisex, and the first ever best seller, back in 2011, was the Soludos Dali Range.
