Spring/Summer, Fall/Winter, pre-fall, resort, menswear and couture: when each is shown and when it reaches stores.
By Shreya S · Last reviewed 1 November 2026
How does the fashion calendar work?
| Collection | Shown | In stores |
|---|---|---|
| Spring/Summer (SS) ready-to-wear | September–October | January–February |
| Fall/Winter (FW) ready-to-wear | February–March | July–August |
| Menswear | January (FW) and June (SS) | As above |
| Haute couture | January and July | Made to order |
| Pre-fall | December–January, often as lookbooks | May–June |
| Resort or cruise | May–June, often in destinations | November |
Why are collections shown six months ahead?
So that buyers can place orders and factories have time to produce them, and so magazines can plan their coverage. The system was built for wholesale and print, which is why it is often criticised in the age of Instagram.
What are pre-fall and resort collections?
In-between collections that keep new stock in stores. Resort, or cruise, was originally for wealthy clients holidaying in winter; houses such as Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton now stage big destination shows for it. Pre-fall arrives before the main fall collection and is often one of the best-selling of the year.
What is “see now, buy now”?
Selling collections immediately after the show, rather than six months later. Brands including Burberry and Tom Ford tried it from 2016, but most returned to the traditional calendar.
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