The best wardrobes are built on layers, and nowhere was this fact more vividly realised than at Prada’s Autumn Winter 2026 runway in Milan. What initially appeared to be a deceptively simple casting of just 15 models soon revealed itself as a clever provocation: with each turn on the catwalk (four each, in total), models shed pieces of what they wore before, revealing a new outfit beneath. What began as restraint unfolded into abundance, and the result was a collection comprising sixty distinct looks, perfectly encapsulating a wardrobe built piece by (very chic) piece.

While many have tried to master the elusive formula of clothes that really do transition from desk to drinks, boardroom to bar, it’s hardly surprising that co-creative directors Raf Simons and Miuccia Prada are among the very few who have been successful. Here, their pragmatic formula spanned oversized outerwear, knitwear, boxy dresses and crisp shirting, with most looks culminating in a thin veil of sheer organza as their final gesture. Look closely and it’s easy to see how the subtraction of a deceptively simple layer does the heavy lifting, subtly but decisively shifting the overall mood of an outfit.

We’ve seen Prada's impact ripple through everything from the new-age office siren to sheer skirts layered over boldly coloured tights over the years — and this season, there are plenty of pieces poised to do the same. There was an abundance of high-waisted, A-line skirts in a variety of fabrications. The sheer organza styles were paired with chunky knits visibly tucked in at the waist, while translucent styles came patch-worked with floral fabrics — as though they had been cut to reveal something lighter and brighter underneath. Outerwear came substantial and cocooning, rendered in dense wools and practical cuts, and footwear demanded attention— be it boots laced to the knee, or colourful pumps paired with patterned socks.

The repetition of models underscored each look. As layers were removed, silhouettes sharpened. What began as corporate could, within minutes, feel sexy and undone. The message wasn’t about transformation through excess, but evolution through intention. An ode to exactly how the modern woman gets dressed.