Early 2026 Fashion Staples To Be Aware Of

Fashion cycles move exceptionally quickly. By the time a look hits the high street, the next wave is already brewing in design rooms in fashion capitals across the globe, and early 2026 is no different – some trends will carry over from the past couple of years, others feel like sharper breaks. 

The staples worth watching now don’t require chasing every micro-trend, but rather knowing which pieces are settling in to become familiar items in our cultural cupboards.

Boxy outerwear still rules

Oversized coats and jackets aren’t going anywhere. With their structured shoulders, cropped boxy cuts, or parkas with exaggerated volume, they balance well with slimmer layers underneath and continue that 90s revival we’ve been seeing.

What’s new is the fabric shift. Expect even more technical blends from suppliers like Screen Textiles – water-resistant cotton mixes, recycled synthetics with a clean finish. Despite the demise of gorpcore, brands are leaning into utility, not just shape.

Tailoring loosens up

Formal tailoring has been letting itself relax for a while, and it keeps drifting in that direction. Wide-leg trousers, relaxed blazers, unstructured suiting – clothes that give more than a small nod to tradition but don’t necessarily feel stiff.

Muted palettes will almost certainly carry through (greys, navies, earth tones), but there’s also room for subtle stripes or checks. The idea is some degree of comfort, but without losing a polished aesthetic.

Knitwear gets heavier

Chunky knits are in rotation early this year. Not just sweaters, but vests, long cardigans, even knit trousers. Texture is the hook –  especially cables, ribs, and heavy gauges that feel substantial to the touch.

These pieces work as stand-alones or as layered accents under jackets. The heavier the knit, the more it reads like a statement piece instead of just another filler item.

Footwear shifts to practical

The trainer obsession hasn’t died down, but chunky leather boots and sleek slip-ons are pushing through. Despite their differences, practicality is the common thread that ties it all together. Soles with grip, uppers that resist weather, comfort that holds up day to night.

Think less about novelty drops and more about shoes that can survive a commute and still work at dinner, without your feet needing a long holiday afterwards.

Fabrics take centre stage

Sustainability still drives the material conversation, but beyond that, the aesthetics of fabric choice itself becomes the design. Matte finishes, waxed cottons, brushed wools – textures that give depth without even needing extra pattern or colour.

It’s part of a bigger move towards clothes that feel thought-through, not just disposable. Staples that can carry from season to season.

The staples shaping early 2026 aren’t necessarily engaging in any projects of radical reinvention. They’re practical, built for layering, and leaning into fabrics and cuts that last. Boxy coats, relaxed tailoring, chunky knitwear, practical footwear, stripped-back accessories – each piece feels wearable in different contexts. Clothes that settle into wardrobes, not just Instagram feeds. If there’s one constant, it’s that utility and comfort are running the show, even when the styling looks sharp.