The Fearrington InnSider – Looking Ahead: Our Recent Buying Trip to New York for Spring 2026

While we’re just stepping into the cozy layers and rich colors of fall here in Fearrington, my focus has already leapt ahead—to spring 2026. The retail calendar always keeps us thinking a year or more into the future, and this past weekend I had the chance to head up to New York City for one of my favorite parts of the job: buying trips.

It was a whirlwind visit, packed with inspiration. Over two days, we visited several of our favorite Italian showrooms, attended four trade shows, and saw Frank & Eileen’s upcoming collection. Frank & Eileen always brings such thoughtful fabrics and playful, wearable shapes—it’s a brand we love both personally and for our stores, because it perfectly blends comfort, polish, and fun.

But beyond the familiar, one of the most exciting parts of the trip was discovering five or six new brands that I know our clients will fall in love with. Some are European, some American, and all bring a fresh perspective. We were drawn to their fabrics—lightweight but substantial, full of movement and breathability—as well as colors that felt joyful and bold. Spring is going to be a season of vibrancy: soft neutrals anchored with pops of colors, along with prints that are fun without being fussy.

I was also able to pick up new spring lines for Thistle & Oak, our men’s store. If you haven’t stopped in yet, this has been such an exciting addition to Fearrington Village, offering apparel, accessories, and gifts for men. The spring collections we found in New York add to the thoughtful, well-crafted mix we’ve already curated, and I think they’ll be a hit with both our gentlemen shoppers and those looking for the perfect gift. If you love Frank and Eileen, you’ll love the men’s options that they offer.. we have some already in-store so definitely stop in for a visit!

What I love most about these trips isn’t just the clothes—it’s the connections. Meeting our vendors and designers in their showrooms, hearing their stories, and understanding their inspiration gives me such a sense of how each piece should live in our shops. It’s not just about buying clothing; it’s about building a narrative that connects the designers’ creativity with your everyday life here in North Carolina.

So while fall is just beginning here at Fearrington, know that spring 2026 is already well underway behind the scenes—and it’s shaping up to be full of beauty, color, and energy. I can’t wait for you to see what we have coming.

Theresa Chiettini