Ottawa's style scene is galloping into 2026 with one of the most exciting fashion moments in recent memory: the Year of the Horse aesthetic, a trend that's simultaneously sweeping global runways and quietly making its way into the city's most fashion-forward neighbourhoods.
What Is the Year of the Horse Look?
The Chinese Lunar New Year ushered in the Year of the Horse in late January, and the fashion world wasted no time translating that energy into wearable form. Think fluid silhouettes that suggest movement, wide-leg trousers, long draped coats, and fabrics that ripple when you walk. The palette leans into deep reds, warm chestnuts, and burnished golds, with the occasional crisp white thrown in for contrast. It's bold without being costume-y, and it's the kind of dressing that turns heads on a Tuesday.
The trend got a high-profile boost when Bella Hadid, in her role as global ambassador for Prada Beauty, leaned into the theme with her signature effortless cool, mixing luxe textures with a grounded, almost earthy sensibility. Hadid has spoken publicly about slowing down, reconnecting with nature (she's been spending time in Texas), and embracing a more intentional approach to style. That quieter confidence is very much part of the Horse Year vibe.
How Ottawa Is Wearing It
You don't have to look far to spot this energy on Ottawa streets. In Westboro, independent boutiques have been stocking up on flowing wide-leg pants and structured equestrian-inspired blazers, the kind of pieces that work equally well for a Friday at the office or a Sunday brunch on Richmond Road.
Over in the Glebe, the aesthetic is showing up in a more relaxed form: oversized earth-toned knits, leather accessories in cognac and tan, and an overall emphasis on quality over quantity. Hintonburg's creative crowd, meanwhile, has taken to layering, mixing vintage finds with one or two statement pieces that nod to the movement-forward silhouettes dominating international runways.
At Rideau Centre, the major retailers have caught on too, with displays leaning into the warm metallics and deep jewel tones that define this year's look.
The Beauty Connection
It's worth noting that Year of the Horse style isn't just about clothes. Prada Beauty's campaign with Hadid has put a spotlight on a complementary makeup moment: skin-first, luminous, with a barely-there flush that feels more like health than glam. In Ottawa, local beauty studios and makeup counters have been fielding more requests for that dewy, natural-finish look, a sign that the full aesthetic, from wardrobe to complexion, is resonating here.
How to Try It
You don't need a runway budget to get into this energy. Start with one strong silhouette piece, a wide-leg trouser or a longline coat in a warm neutral. Add a rich accessory: a leather belt, a structured bag in cognac. Keep the rest simple. The goal is to look like someone who moves through the world with intention and ease.
That's the Horse Year spirit in a nutshell, and Ottawa, a city that has always had a quietly confident sense of style, is wearing it well.
Source: Vogue
