Everything NYLON’s Editor in Chief, Lauren McCarthy, Has Her Eye On for Fall 2026

If The Devil Wears Prada taught us anything, it’s that being an Editor in Chief of one of the most notable magazines in fashion, entertainment, and pop culture is not an easy job. “That’s all.”

With so many people lining up to volunteer as tribute, it takes a true star to rise above and make their name, their taste, and their point of view truly known. 

Lauren McCarthy, Editor in Chief of NYLON, is that star. As the overseer of all things editorial at NYLON (including music, fashion, beauty, and NYLON Nights), McCarthy has done the work, and now she’s here to paint everything purple with a little rock-and-roll edge added in, (but please don’t forget the purple).

With previous experience at mainstay global publications like Women’s Wear Daily, W Magazine, and Harper’s BAZAAR, McCarthy has touched every fabric, texture, and look throughout her illustrious career.

We wanted to know everything the seasoned editor, writer, and tastemaker had in mind for this upcoming fashion season, and obviously had to know her key picks at the moment. The relief: she doesn’t want any of us to try to make any trend or style work if it’s not who we are!! 

What are some trends you’re seeing / anticipating for fall 2026?

LM: “One big trend I’m seeing for fall that I’m personally very excited about is the color purple—fellow girls who grew up with lavender painted bedroom walls know what I’m talking about. I really love the idea of a bold, true violet along with more hazy lilacs. Paired with red and chocolate brown, it feels like a very fresh way to do fall. I am also super drawn to mixing textures for the colder month—fringe with velvet; knits with patent leather; even chainmail like we saw at Chanel.”

What’s a typical day in your life right now?

LM: “When I write this in mid-August, I am definitely starting to get into fashion month mode. We are about to ship our September issue, so I am approving final layouts and text, and starting to prep what our digital rollout will look like as well. There is a lot of scheduling to be done right now—figuring out my NYFW schedule, booking my flights and hotels for Paris, etc. 

We are also in the midst of planning our annual NYLON Nights event during fashion week and an intimate dinner that I’ve hosted before. So all that to say…lots of meetings! And on top of it all, trying to plan a wedding!” 

How would you describe your style?

LM: “I tend to lean on the more minimalist quadrant of the fashion matrix. I love great basics—a perfect white t-shirt and blue jeans, and then dressing up from there. For me, a lot of my style lies within accessories; I’m definitely a big shoes-make-the-outfit type of girl. For me, a perfect outfit is a little sexy and a little tough at the same time.”

What advice do you have for people struggling to recreate their look (on a budget)?

LM:  “The number one piece of advice I have for creating any look is make sure you feel good in it. As cliche as it sounds, that’s true—I could be in the best, most expensive, floral frilly dress and I would still be uncomfortable because that’s just not my style. If you’re trying to recreate a look, boil it down to what you love about it—is it the proportions? The color? Then mix that with styles you already know you love.”

How cut throat is it really to be the EIC of a fashion mag?

LM: “I’m very cut-throat with myself, to be honest! I loved our summer issue with Sadie Sink, so as we’re putting the finishing touches on September, my biggest concerns and internal monologue are ‘are we continuing to level up?’ That’s where 99% of the pressure comes from. 

In terms of other magazines, I’ve been working in the industry for over a decade now, and a lot of other editor-in-chiefs happen to be my best friends—like Steff Yotka at i-D and Caroline Grosso at L’Officiel. Each of us has a pretty distinct POV, so we’re inherently not going to be going after the same type of content and can really just support and champion each other.”

Where do you look for inspiration when it comes to your own look, creativity, vibe, etc?

LM: “I still get a ton of inspiration from music. I think musicians inherently have the best style and have always looked to women on the stage as real beacons of culture. Right now, I love what Olivia Rodrigo is doing with her Daisy Chains Festival and using her platform to champion so many amazing charities with that, which is really inspiring to me. I also just saw Metric perform, and Emily Haines just remains so cool and confident and in command of everything she’s doing, which is inspiring in another way.”

What are some of your favorite staples that are your true ride or dies?

LM: “Chanel ballet flats, Levi’s low-loose jeans in a medium wash, lots of little gold and diamond earrings for stacking (my recent favorites are Fiametta), super worn-in vintage Saint Laurent t-shirts, a leather bomber jacket.”

With so much access to what’s new and trending, how do you stay true to your own style and taste without getting sucked into the mainstream warp?

LM: “One of the perks of getting older is trusting your own taste more and more. At this point, I know what I feel best in and gravitate towards, and also know the feeling of regretting wearing something even if it felt very of-the-moment. I am who I am!”