Australian fashion label OnceWas is embracing the joy of dressing up with Le Carrousel, a romantic Resort ’26 collection filled with beautiful prints, flowing silhouettes and a decidedly playful approach to summer style.
There is something wonderfully refreshing about a fashion collection that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Beautiful clothes, gorgeous colours and the simple pleasure of getting dressed because you actually want to, rather than because an occasion demands it.
Australian premium womenswear label OnceWas has captured exactly that feeling with its Resort ’26 collection, Le Carrousel, a celebration of feminine dressing inspired by the nostalgia, colour and movement of traditional carousels and summer carnivals.
Think romantic florals, vibrant prints, flowing dresses and beautifully considered separates that feel equally at home on a European summer holiday, at a long lunch or simply bringing a little more glamour to everyday life. And while the collection has a distinctly playful spirit, it remains grounded in the thoughtful design and versatility for which the Melbourne-based label has become known.
A Little Romance, a Lot of Colour
After several seasons dominated by understated neutrals and pared-back wardrobes, fashion appears ready to have a little fun again. It’s a shift we’ve been exploring in our recent feature, The Death of Quiet Luxury: Why Fashion Is Finally Getting Interesting Again, and OnceWas is embracing that more expressive mood beautifully.
Le Carrousel draws on the energy and escapism of old-fashioned summer carnivals, translating the inspiration into joyful colour combinations, intricate detailing and silhouettes that move effortlessly with the body.
The result is feminine without feeling overly precious, colourful without being overwhelming and, perhaps most importantly, designed to be worn rather than simply admired.
Beautiful Fabrics and Pieces You’ll Actually Wear
One of the collection’s strongest qualities is its emphasis on natural and breathable fabric blends. Linen-viscose, cotton-silk and Tencel-linen feature throughout, giving the pieces a lightweight, fluid quality that feels particularly suited to warmer weather. Rather than creating a collection of individual statement pieces that are difficult to style, OnceWas has approached Le Carrousel as a complementary wardrobe.
Printed skirts can be paired with simple tops, elegant separates can be dressed up or down, and statement dresses offer that elusive combination of looking beautifully put together without requiring much effort. It’s a considered approach to occasion dressing, particularly for women who want to invest in pieces that work beyond a single event.
A standout is the Cattleya Linen Viscose Smock Maxi Dress in Soleil Pavilion, featuring a fresh white and coral floral print, delicate smocking and a flowing maxi silhouette. It’s the kind of dress that makes an entrance without appearing to try too hard. Add flat sandals for a relaxed afternoon or elegant heels and gold jewellery for a summer celebration.
Designed for More Than One Occasion
For OnceWas Head Designer and Director Belinda Abbott, the inspiration was about capturing a particular feeling rather than simply following a seasonal trend.
“Le Carrousel is really about capturing that feeling of joy and escapism that comes with summer. We were inspired by the colour, movement and nostalgia of traditional carousels and carnivals, and wanted to translate that into a collection that feels playful and feminine, but still considered and incredibly wearable. Every piece has been designed to work beyond a single occasion, with beautiful fabrications, thoughtful details and silhouettes that women can return to season after season.”
That emphasis on wearability is evident throughout the collection, where practical design details sit alongside expressive prints and romantic silhouettes. From relaxed holiday dressing to polished summer occasions, the pieces are intended to move between different parts of a woman’s wardrobe rather than being reserved for special events.
A More Considered Approach to Fit
Another welcome element of the collection is the continuation of OnceWas’ dedicated Under 5’4″ range, designed specifically for petite women. Rather than simply shortening existing garments, the brand re-proportions selected designs to better suit smaller frames while maintaining the intended silhouette.
For Le Carrousel, the petite offering focuses on selected styles from the label’s popular trouser category, alongside its standard Australian size range of AU 6–20.
It’s a thoughtful inclusion, particularly when finding beautifully fitting trousers can still be frustrating for women who don’t fall within conventional fashion proportions.
The Joy of Getting Dressed Again
What makes Le Carrousel particularly appealing is its uncomplicated celebration of feminine style. There’s no suggestion that every woman needs to reinvent her wardrobe or embrace an entirely new aesthetic. Instead, the collection offers beautiful pieces that can bring a little more personality to what we already own.
A printed skirt with a simple white shirt. A flowing maxi dress worn with flat sandals. An elegant linen blend set that works just as well on holiday as it does back home. Sometimes the best fashion is just simply about finding something you love wearing.
And with its joyful palette, romantic detailing and beautifully wearable silhouettes, Le Carrousel makes a rather lovely case for dressing with a little more colour and confidence this summer.
Discover the collection
The OnceWas Resort ’26 Le Carrousel collection is available online at oncewas.com.au, at OnceWas HQ in Hawthorn East and through selected Australian stockists. Instagram: @oncewas__
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