In a remarkable turn of events for the fashion industry, being told you dressed 'like a mum' has transformed from a cutting insult into a potential style compliment. The year 2026 has witnessed a very public resurgence of clothing items once dismissed as daggy or frumpy, creating waves of both nostalgia and outrage across shopping centres and social media platforms.
The Shift Towards Sensible Silhouettes
The era of sleek, minimalist basics and body-skimming silhouettes appears to be giving way to something far more practical and structured. Fashion observers are noting padded shoulders, tie-front vests, silk scarves worn around the waist, and tailoring that prioritises structure over sex appeal becoming increasingly prominent. This distinct shift in what's filling store racks has sparked intense debate among Australian shoppers, with some embracing the heritage look while others question whether brands have completely lost their creative direction.
Kmart's Controversial Quilted Vest
One of the most vocal flashpoints in this fashion revolution has been a quilted tie-front vest sold by Kmart for $30. The garment quickly became subject to online ridicule, with frustrated shoppers taking to Reddit forums to debate the brand's choices. Accusations flew that the budget retailer was 'raiding a long-lost storage unit' filled with clothes from the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s. 'This new Kmart isn't okay,' one commenter bluntly wrote, while another sentiment echoed by many was that the design 'reminds me of oven mitts.'
Despite this backlash, the vest sold out in multiple sizes - a detail that tells its own story about changing consumer preferences. The item's popularity has even prompted fashion influencers like Paige Carmichael to hunt down alternatives from London to Australia for her followers, demonstrating the complex relationship between criticism and commercial success in contemporary fashion.
Economic and Cultural Drivers
Fashion insiders suggest the return of so-called 'mumsy' dressing isn't accidental. After years dominated by micro-trends, hyper-sexualised styling, and social media aesthetics that prioritised youth and novelty, the pendulum is swinging hard in the opposite direction. There's also a strong economic undertone to this shift, with cost-of-living pressures continuing to bite. Shoppers are gravitating towards pieces that feel practical and multi-purpose, as well as increasingly choosing thrifted or pre-loved fashion over new purchases.
'Structured blazers, layered scarves and quilted vests all tap into that desire for function over flash,' celebrity fashion stylist Lattitia Taylor told Daily Mail. 'For many, these silhouettes are tied to memories of mothers, aunties and grandmothers, but in uncertain times, fashion also often looks backwards for comfort. The 1980s are proving a surprisingly rich source of inspiration at the moment.'
Mastering the Quilted Look
Few items have divided Australians quite like the quilted jackets and vests making their comeback. Once reserved for school drop-offs, gardening, or brisk coastal walks, the humble padded layer has been rebranded as a fashion statement. Fashion expert Paige Carmichael, who regularly shares advice with her 69,000 Instagram followers, says the key to pulling off a quilted vest lies in contrast.
She even managed to track down the viral reversible padded jacket in Australia after a small local retailer, My Urban Boho, reached out following the surge of interest sparked by her video featuring similar styles from a London boutique. 'Pairing it with crisp tailoring like a white shirt or cropped top and straight-leg jeans helps balance the volume,' she explains, 'while keeping the colour palette colourful avoids tipping into full Grandma-core.'
Lattitia Taylor adds another styling perspective: 'Alternatively, worn open over a ribbed knit or belted at the waist can help this vest look feel intentional and flattering on multiple silhouettes.' The now-infamous quilted tie-front vest from Kmart has become a symbol of the moment, with other big brands like ASOS and Amazon selling out of their own versions. While some critics slated the design, more fashion-forward shoppers rushed to defend it as cosy, versatile, and 'actually kind of chic' when styled correctly.
Silk Scarves Reimagined
Scarves have long been shorthand for practical dressing, but in 2026 they're being reworked in ways that feel distinctly modern. Street-style blogs like Who What Wear are styling silk scarves as makeshift skirts, draping them over outerwear, tying them around necks, or weaving them through braids for a softer, more expressive look. A single scarf can be worn multiple ways as an accessory too - looped onto a handbag, used as a draped belt, or layered under a coat for added texture and warmth.
'Scarves as accessories allow personal expression without the cost of a full wardrobe overhaul,' said Lattitia Taylor. 'They offer such an easy way to add colour, pattern and individuality, and are great if you want to update a cute top but not show your shoulders.' Another trending scarf style to note is the 'skinny scarf', which Lattitia says can be used around the head to hold hair back, or around the neck. 'Neither add any practicalities around warmth, but they do look really trendy - as if you've just stepped off the streets of Copenhagen.'
The Shoulder Pad Renaissance
Once synonymous with 1980s power dressing, padded shoulders are making a confident comeback as part of fashion's broader embrace of maximalism. Oversized blazers with strong shoulders are being worn with tights, heels and statement jewellery, channelling a distinctly retro look. Social media is fuelling this trend significantly, with fashion blog Sheerluxe recently posting a viral video showcasing removable shoulder pads now widely available via Amazon. The clip racked up hundreds of thousands of views in days, proving there's a sizeable audience eager to experiment with this masculine trend.
Lattitia Taylor recommends easing into the look by starting with blazers that already have subtle structure, rather than going full Dynasty. 'The goal is confidence, not costume.' She adds that while fashion cycles are nothing new, the return of traditionally 'unfashionable' pieces signals more of a trend overload among consumers. 'There's also comfort in clothes that feel familiar, functional and slightly uncool.'
Shell Suits Return to the Spotlight
It's not just quilted vests and shoulder pads getting a second life - shell suit jackets are sashaying back into the spotlight too. Once relegated to the realm of 1990s nostalgia and ironic party costumes, these shiny, loose-fitting tracksuits are being embraced by Gen Z and fashion editors alike as the ultimate blend of comfort and statement style.
'Bringing this style back to the future are celebrities like Zoe Kravitz, Charlie XCX and Hailey Bieber, who all sat front row at the Yves Saint Laurent fashion show wearing one,' said Lattitia Taylor. 'They made it look cool with bold colour blocking, cropped cuts, and oversized silhouettes and that unmistakable sheen that screams retro.' Paired with elegant heels and minimalist accessories, she adds that shell suits are now 'less MC Hammer house party and more street style.'
\nThis comprehensive fashion shift represents more than just another trend cycle - it reflects changing consumer values, economic realities, and a collective search for comfort and familiarity in uncertain times. Whether embraced or criticised, the mumsy fashion comeback of 2026 is proving to be one of the most talked-about style revolutions in recent memory.
