Here’s the thing about maximalism: it’s the fashion friend who never truly exits the group chat. Even when minimalism was having its quiet-luxury reign, when everyone was cleansing their wardrobes, buying beige shirts, and pretending life was a soft, Swedish podcast, maximalism didn’t disappear. It simply leaned back, crossed its sequined legs, and let minimalism have its polite little moment. Because style, like personality, eventually craves exaggeration. And exaggeration, unsurprisingly, is having a moment again.
Everywhere you look, the energy feels louder. Colours are bolder. Prints are clashing with delightful confidence. Necklaces now layer to the point of scenery. Belts are wide, earrings are dramatic, handbags look like objets d’art, and even the minimal girls are sneaking something shiny into their outfits “just to see how it feels.” There’s a shift happening, subtle for some, loud for others, and it tells us one thing: maximalism is back in rotation, and it’s strutting.
The Return of “More”
Fashion always swings like a pendulum. The stripped-back ease of the 2010s arrived after the visual chaos of the early internet era. The beige years came after the sensory overload of fast fashion. But 2026 has ushered in a new appetite: people want clothes that spark emotion. Clothes with personality. Clothes that make you feel something other than “neat.”
Designers have embraced this shift wholeheartedly. Runways are filled with voluminous skirts, kaleidoscopic patterns, dramatic coats, metallic leather, embroidered everything, and textures layered without apology. Beauty, too, has abandoned subtlety—blush is sweeping again, eyeshadow is editorial, and lipstick is loud. Fashion feels awake.
What this signals is simple: people are tired of dressing quietly. There’s a desire for joy. A hunger for expression. A craving for clothes that don’t just sit there, but speak.
Maximalism Isn’t Messy. It’s Mindful.
A common misconception is that maximalism equals chaos. But the girls who do it well know there’s a method behind every outfit. True maximalism is intentional. It’s storytelling.
A maximalist look often carries memories—
A brooch from your grandmother.
A bag bought on holiday.
A print that reminds you of Lagos nightlife.
A colour that lifts your mood like a good playlist.
Maximalism is dressing as a form of narrative. A way of saying, “Here’s a bit of who I am,” without uttering a word.
Social Media’s Influence
Let’s not pretend Instagram and TikTok didn’t play a role. Quiet luxury photographed beautifully, yes, but maximalism performs. It fills a frame. It creates characters. It gives an instant hit of mood and personality.
Creators have rediscovered drama. A layered look draws the eye, encourages rewatches, and invites comments. Fashion girls are having more fun because bolder outfits translate better on screen. It’s a playful cycle: the bolder the look, the better the engagement—and the bolder the next look becomes.
Why Now?
Fashion rarely shifts without cultural cause. A few things are fueling this resurgence:
1. Emotional exhaustion.
When the world feels uncertain, people reach for colour, shine, texture—anything uplifting.
2. Rebellion against sameness.
Minimalism became a uniform. Everyone started looking alike. Maximalism offers individuality again.
3. Nostalgia.
The early 2000s chaos, the 2010s Tumblr girl, the Naija bombshell aesthetic—nostalgia is influencing everything from runway to red carpet.
4. The desire for self-definition.
People want clothes that feel personal, not algorithm-approved.
How to Enter the Maximalist Era (Without Fear)
The best part? You don’t need to overhaul your wardrobe. Maximalism can be subtle or theatrical—it’s about intention, not quantity.
Try this approach:
- Choose one standout piece: a bold bag, a colourful shoe, or a dramatic sleeve.
- Play with colour stories. Mix hues that sit close on the colour wheel; it instantly looks considered.
- Layer textures. Silk with denim, leather with lace, cotton with sequins—contrast creates interest.
- Accessorise deliberately. A single oversized earring or stacked rings can shift the mood of an outfit.
- Let mood lead the look. Some days call for print-on-print. Some call for metallics at 2 p.m.
