Modest fashion has never been more expressive, and 2026 is proving you don't have to compromise coverage for style. From the runways to real closets, the designs turning heads this year lean into rich texture, storytelling prints, and detail you can actually feel, not just see. We've been tracking what's resonating with our own customers at HAYA Legacy, and here are the six trends we think are worth watching, and wearing, this year.

1. Statement Embroidered Borders

Instead of embellishing the whole abaya, designers are concentrating intricate embroidery along a single border, usually running down the front placket and cuffs. The effect is striking without being overwhelming: a plain, solid-colour abaya suddenly reads as couture the moment that floral vine embroidery catches the light. It's a trend built for versatility, since the same piece can move from daytime to an evening gathering just by how you accessorize.

Statement floral embroidery concentrated along the front border and sleeves.

2. Earthy Marbled & Agate Prints

Warm browns, bronze, and cream swirled together in an agate-inspired marble print are showing up everywhere this year, and it's easy to see why. These prints feel grounded and sophisticated rather than loud, which makes them an easy choice for anyone who wants a statement piece that still reads as elegant, not costume-like. Pair it with simple gold jewellery and you're done.

An agate-inspired marbled print in warm coffee and gold tones.

3. Textured Jacquard Elegance

Texture is having a real moment this year. Rather than relying on colour or print to stand out, jacquard-woven abayas let the fabric itself do the talking, with a raised floral pattern you can feel under your fingers. It's quietly luxurious, works beautifully for both daytime and formal wear, and photographs with a depth that flat prints simply can't match.

Woven floral jacquard in a warm neutral. Texture over print.

4. Sheer Printed Layers

Layering a sheer, printed chiffon abaya over a solid-colour inner dress is still one of the most popular silhouettes we're seeing this year, especially in bold florals set against a dark, moody background like midnight navy or black. It gives the illusion of movement even when you're standing still, and the contrast between the sheer outer layer and the solid slip underneath adds a visual depth that a single-fabric abaya just can't create on its own.

A sheer floral chiffon layer over a solid inner dress. Movement and contrast in one look.

5. Soft Embroidered Neutrals

Not every trend has to shout. Soft, muted tones like dusty blue, taupe, and sage, finished with delicate metallic-thread floral embroidery, are trending for the opposite reason: they're calm, wearable, and easy to style for almost any occasion. This is the direction to look at if you want something that will still feel current two or three years from now, rather than a piece tied to one season's trend cycle.

Delicate floral embroidery on a soft, muted base. Understated and long-lasting.

6. Metallic Shimmer for Evening

For evening and celebration wear, shimmer fabrics with a crushed-pleat texture and rhinestone accents are the standout trend of the year. It's a departure from heavy beading and sequins, offering that same occasion-ready impact with a lighter, more modern feel. If you have a wedding season coming up, this is the category to start with.

Crushed-pleat shimmer with rhinestone accents. 2026's lighter take on evening glamour.

Trends come and go, but the pieces that last are the ones you actually feel good in. Whichever of these six speaks to you, we'd love to help you find the right piece from our collection to bring it into your own wardrobe.

Shop the collection at hayalegacy.com or DM us on Instagram @haya.modesty23. We're happy to help you find your next favourite piece.