Levi's 501 jeans have been crowned the UK's ultimate style icon in a new 2026 survey of the nation's favourite fashion items, beating heavyweight contenders such as Nike Air Max trainers, vintage band T-shirts, and cowboy boots.
Survey Results and Top 20 List
The research, commissioned by Nationwide Building Society, revealed the top 20 classic wardrobe staples. Levi's 501 jeans took the top spot with 17% of the vote, followed by Nike Air Max trainers at 15%, and vintage band T-shirts and cowboy boots tied at 13% each. Other cult classics include The North Face puffer jacket (12%), Ray-Ban aviators (11%), blue denim jacket (10%), Barbour wax jacket (10%), Burberry trench coat (9%), and Lacoste polo shirt (9%).
Gucci loafers, Ralph Lauren cable-knit jumpers, little black dresses, and New Balance 530 trainers each garnered 8%. Vivienne Westwood orb necklaces (7%), Fred Perry polo shirts (6%), Birkenstock sandals (6%), Harrington jackets (4%), Fila tracksuits (4%), and pleated tennis skirts (3%) rounded out the list.
Brits' Love for Vintage and Bargains
Eight in 10 Brits say there's a genuine thrill in discovering an unexpected bargain, and 27% say finding a classic item is one of life's biggest mood boosters. Almost a third (31%) cited price as a key motivation. The research also found that 24% believe second-hand offers better value than buying new, while nearly a fifth (19%) say older items are often better quality than products made today, and the same proportion cite environmental concerns and a desire to avoid fast fashion.
Social Media Reaction
Fans took to social media to express their love for Levi's 501 jeans. One comment reads: "Levi's are amazing." Another states: "Those are so cool, will remain a hit for years."
Nationwide's Fairer Share Drops Initiative
The survey was commissioned by Nationwide Building Society to mark the launch of its Fairer Share Drops initiative, fronted by style icon Maya Jama. The initiative creates a nationwide vintage treasure hunt featuring carefully curated pre-loved items, each available for just £5.
