Stella McCartney Pre-Fall 2026: Horsing Around

In the Chinese lunar calendar, 2026 is the Year of the Horse, one of Stella McCartney’s favorite animals, and the designer sent them galloping across knitwear, denim and accessories in her pre-fall collection. And when she wasn’t horsing around, McCartney was also looking to her childhood in the Scottish countryside — and to her parents’ cozy wardrobes.

The collection featured broad-shouldered jackets with nipped waists, elongated vests, double-breasted coats and denim. Many of those pieces were embroidered with a seasonal “SMC” crest in gold thread inspired by the design on a pair of Paul McCartney’s old slippers. The designer paired her jackets with pleated, wide-leg trousers in responsibly sourced wool.

She also worked deadstock heritage check fabrics into ’70s-style suits, while other tuxedo jackets, coats and tailored pieces were hand-embroidered with sparkling lead-free crystals. Fluid dresses with 1940s flair came with drapes, peplums, handkerchief shoulders and corded lace.

There were nods to the Scottish countryside in the form of oversized cardigans in recycled cashmere; ribbed turtlenecks with paneling in vegan leather; textural Aran cable knits, and needle-punch horse intarsia pieces.

Corduroy–denim hybrid pieces, distressed patchworks and washed corduroy in vintage brown shades had a lived-in feel and a strong ’70s vibe. Jeans came in bootcut and turn-up boyfriend shapes.

McCartney’s collections are getting greener by the day. The designer said 98 percent of the collection is made from responsible materials, including forest-friendly viscose and acetate, responsibly sourced wool, certified organic cotton and Econyl. Leather alternatives include the grape-based Vegea, air-purifying Airlite bags and Living Ink’s algae-based planet-friendly, vegan pigment.