Tactility, nostalgia and futurism inspire the themes described in Pinterest Predicts 2026.
The content sharing platform’s annual “not-yet-trending” report provides a window into the fashion, food, travel, decor and hobbies users are pinning and searching for. The platform analyzes billions of Pinterest searches to shape the report. Some themes build on current trends in the market; others are plucked from consumers’ niche interests.
Gummy, bendy, jelly products are in for 2026. Pinterest says Gen Z and millennials are behind the resurgence of ASMR-related products such as rubberized nail art, jelly blush and 3D jewelry. Searches for “gummy bears aesthetic” and “jelly candy aesthetic” are up 50 and 100 percent, respectively.
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The tactile trend applies to food too. Searches for agar-agar, a vegetarian gelatin substitute, are up 35 percent. Searches for Yokan, a Japanese jelly-like confection, are up 60 percent.
Aligning with trends seen on Saint Laurent, Chloe and Versace’s Spring/Summer 2026 catwalks, a stripped-down version of ’80s opulence is on the horizon. “Tailored suits with sculpted shoulders will grow three sizes. Funnel necks will be the base of every outfit. And jewelry? Well, that will get chunkier, bolder and golder,” Pinterest states. This echo’s WGSN’s forecast for gold to be the must-have precious metal of the year.
Chunk belts, baggy suits, high color jackets and gold cuffs are among the items Pinterest users are searching for.
A trend that Gap is bound to capitalize on with another music-led ad, Pinterest said khaki is capturing the attention of millennial and Gen Z consumers. As the go-to uniform for “wanderers of the world,” Pinterest said searches for “paleontologist aesthetic” are up 35 percent. Key items include brown linen shirts, utility shirts, pleated trousers and men’s field jackets.
Grandmillennial and dark academia styles are evolving into Poetcore, a theme that inspired by aspiring authors. Pinterest searches for “the poet aesthetic” and “poet core” are up 175 and 75 percent, respectively.
Oversize turtlenecks, vintage blazers and messenger bags carry the look. Searches for “cape outfit” are up 65 percent and tie accessories are up 85 percent.
Vintage trends are also inspiring millennials and Boomers to revisit grandma-style brooches, particularly men. Pinterest said searches for “brooch for men suit” is up 90 percent, while a broader search for “brooch aesthetic” is up 110 percent. The pins are an evolution from the personalized charm bracelets that decorated wrists last year.
Lace is poised to bring “unexpected elegance” to pieces like bomber jackets, bandanas and belts. Searches for “lace doily” are up 105 percent.
Consumers are also looking for drama. Millennials and Gen Z are showing interest in opera and the vintage theater aesthetic. Searches for “opera outfit” are up 55 percent, while masquerade-related searches are also on the rise.
As millennials and Boomers jet off to “whimsical and mystical destinations,” there’s a convergence of fashion and travel. Searches for Bolivia’s Uyini Salt Flat, the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in Japan and “ethereal places” reveal this desire for enchanting places. It is also driving interest in the Faroe Islands, with searches for “Faroe Islands aesthetic” up 95 percent.
Meanwhile, searches for “Scotland Highlands aesthetic” have surged 465 percent—a look that brands like Ganni and Levi’s are tapping into through their Barbour collaborations, and one that’s gathering momentum as tartan continues its rise in popularity.
Along the same vein, Pinterest said 2026 animal prints will come from the forest instead of the safari. “Think soft fawn freckles, butterfly wing nail art and fox-inspired outfits that hint at forest magic,” Pinterest stated.
Searches for “deer aesthetic” are up 55 percent, while bug jewelry, dragonfly nails and floral men’s outfits are also seeing gains.
While Pantone touts Cloud Dancer as the color of 2026 and WGSN believes in Transformative Teal, search trends on Pinterest reveals a growing intrigue in frosty blue. Describing the trend as “subzero sophistication,” Pinterest says searches for ice blue wedding dresses, blue drinks and frosted make-up are gaining traction. Searches for “icy blue” are up 50 percent and searches for “glacier aesthetic” are up 35 percent.
Vampires are in inspiring beauty trends. The dark aesthetic is seeing black nails (searches for coffin shape nails are up 180 percent), romantic hair styles (searches for “vampire haircut” are up 40 percent) and dark romantic make-up resonate with millennial and Gen Z consumers.
Gen Z and millennials are embracing “glitchy glam,” a make-up style that welcomes mismatched manicures, dual-toned lipstick and two-tone eyeshadow hues. While not as extreme as clowncore—a TikTok aesthetic that never fully developed IRL—Pinterest users are searching for eccentric and weird make-up looks as well as “avant garde make-up editorial.”
The cohorts are also searching for “alien core aesthetic” make-up ideas. This intergalactic vibe calls for soft dewy make-up and opalescent eyeshadow, but it also fits into other categories like automobiles and home accents, Pinterest states.
Pinterest sees Gen Z and millennials consumers shaking up how they approach scents. The cohorts are “ditching one-and-done” scents for bespoke blended perfumes and oils. Searches for “perfume layering combinations” are up 125 percent, while searches for “niche perfume collection” are up 500 percent.
Art Deco is back in the limelight, modernized by shiny and sleek chrome or brass, crisp chevrons and fan arches, Pinterest states. Described as “neo deco,” the trend is driving up searches for pendant lamps, antique bar carts, leather banquette and red marble bathrooms.
Afrohemia décor is also making a strong impression on interiors in 2026. Led by Boomers and Gen X, Pinterest said there’s a growing fusion of African and bohemian styles such as colorful Nigerian textiles and Ethiopian wall art alongside handwoven baskets and natural fiber rugs.
Searches for “bamboo beaded curtains” and “rattan accent chair” are up 60 and 50 percent, respectively.
Kid-adulting continues with interiors and art inspired by the circus. Searches for “vintage circus aesthetic” and “circus interior” are up 70 and 130 percent, respectively. The theme is also trending for kids, with searches for “circus nursery” up 50 percent.
“Think bold stripes, sculptural silhouettes and just a wink of clownish charm,” Pinterest states, adding that it’s important to balance these novelties with subtle and fresh color palettes.
The vintage fashion trend is finally reaching the children’s apparel category. Searches for vintage children’s fashion is up 35 percent.
“In 2026, childhood gets a throwback twist with vintage-inspired outfits, classic toys from the ’60s and upcycled baby looks. Crocheted play mats will bring cozy vibes to any nursery, while Baby Boomers and Gen X will thrift mini ’fits,” Pinterest stated.
For toys, Pinterest said searches for “1970s childhood toys” are up 125 percent and searches for “nostalgia toys” are up 225 percent.
Cute stamps and stationary sets are fueling Gen Z and millennials’ return to sending snail mail. Searches for “handwritten letters” are up 45 percent, and many are seeking an old-fashioned penpal. Pinterest said searches for “penpal letters” and “penpal ideas” are up 35 and 90 percent, respectively.
