While womenswear dominates the high street conversation, menswear is quietly undergoing a transformation. From workwear-inspired pieces to a growing acceptance of jewellery, there are plenty of options for men looking to elevate their style this autumn.
Workwear as a Menswear Uniform
Pinterest's 2026 Men's Trend report, titled The Intentional Man, highlights that menswear is becoming more considered. Searches for "workwear outfit men" have increased by over 300 per cent, while "vintage workwear outfit" searches are up 442 per cent, indicating that workwear is now an unofficial menswear uniform.
This trend is not new. It gained momentum in the early 2020s when brands like Carhartt and Dickies became fashion statements. Chore jackets have remained relevant, appearing on catwalks from Lemaire to Feng Chen Wang and in queues for east London cold brews.
Universal Works, founded in 2009 by David Keyte, is a standout brand in this space. Inspired by his Midlands upbringing and the workwear worn by his father and uncles, the brand is now sold worldwide, with two London stores on Berwick Street in Soho and Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross. Look out for fine cord overshirts and quilted jackets, which are reasonably priced and perfect for layering.
The Art of Layering
Layering is key to getting menswear right this season. Stylist Rose Forde, known for her approach to men's clothing, partnered with Bicester Village for its Stylist Sessions series, focusing on layering. "For the edit, I have focused on layering, as it's been so prominent on the runways, where we are seeing lots of artful layering, from Celine to Jil Sander to Prada," she says. "I've seen a surge in mixed textural moments and an undone feel: collars popping over shirts, shirts over shirts, knits on knits, blazers with statement coats and so many belts and accessories piled on. This season, layers are really at play, and the more you add, the more relaxed it feels."
Arket's autumn/winter collection features zip cardigans over Henleys or brushed flannel shirts over T-shirts, as well as cord overshirts over cardigans over tees. Wax London offers overshirts with quilted, reversible, and vibrant plaid iterations, while Percival provides chunkier knits and classic-with-a-twist outerwear.
Jewellery and Accessories
Jewellery is a growing category in menswear. Pinterest reports that searches for "men chain necklace" are up more than 350 per cent, with silver cuff bracelets and leather bag charms also seeing considerable growth.
Jeweller Rachel Boston notes that her male clients are asking for chunkier, bolder forms and sculptural shapes, and are embracing diamonds. She has launched a range of men's diamond rings called Relic, inspired by ancient Roman jewellery. "I think men's confidence in being more playful and expressive with fashion has really increased, and jewellery is a natural extension of that," she says. "Ten years ago, men's jewellery could feel either extremely classic and traditional, or quite overtly masculine. Now there's this much broader space in between. Men are being offered genuinely interesting designs, different proportions, gemstones and diamonds, and I think that naturally encourages people to experiment."
While the men's jewellery movement hasn't fully caught on in high street stores, Cos offers multiple pieces, including strings of beads and classic box-chain necklaces. Mid-price women's brands like Mejuri also have pieces that would suit men. "I think fashion is much less binary than it used to be and jewellery is becoming the same," says Boston. "There's less interest in whether something is technically a 'men's' or 'women's' piece and more interest in whether you actually want to wear it."
