The Standard's journalism is supported by our readers.
asserted
journalism → support → readers
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
uncertain
we → purchase → commission
In fashion terms at least, it’s a very good time to be a woman.
asserted
it → ’ → terms
The British high street has never looked better (see Marks & Spencer’s LFW makeover, & Other Stories’ renewed relevance and Cos’s continued brilliance), while the industry’s game of creative director musical chairs has delivered some divine designer collections.
asserted
game → look → collections
If you’re not shopping on a Matthieu Blazy budget, there are seemingly no end of independent labels to discover, as well as disruptor brands to try and Vinted algorithms to shape to your whims.
asserted
you → shop → whims
Between Substack, Instagram and good old-fashioned journalism, it’s pretty easy to stay abreast of womenswear trends, too — if you so wish.
asserted
you → ’ → trends
Other than Cos or Uniqlo, the high street options feel a little limited on the menswear front, even more so if Vince and Sunspel price points are feeling like a stretch.
asserted
points → feel → stretch
The trends don’t exactly trip off the tongue either.
asserted
trends → trip → tongue
Despite this, a more thoughtful approach to men’s dressing seems to be going mainstream and there’s plenty of great stuff out there if you know where to look.
asserted
you → seem → stuff
Consider Pinterest’s 2026 Men’s Trend report, entitled The Intentional Man — a nod to the fact that menswear is becoming more “considered” of late.
asserted
menswear → consider → fact
One of the report’s key findings was that workwear increasingly represents an unofficial menswear uniform; searches for “workwear outfit men” were up more than 300 per cent, while “vintage workwear outfit” were even higher, up 442 per cent.
asserted
outfit → represent → men
It boomed in the early 2020s, when brands including Carhartt and Dickies shifted from sartorial indifference to statement of fashion intent.
asserted
brands → boom → intent
Everyone learned what a chore jacket was and they’ve stayed relevant ever since, still as visible on catwalks from Lemaire to Feng Chen Wang as they are in the queue for an east London cold brew.
asserted
they → learn → brew
A great name to know if you want to look like you’ve done an honest day’s labour is Universal Works.
asserted
you → know → labour
Founded in 2009 by David Keyte, who was inspired by his Midlands upbringing and the workwear worn by his father and uncles, Universal Works is now sold around the world.
asserted
Works → found → world
Pieces to look out for include fine cord overshirts and quilted jackets, all of which are reasonably priced, well made and perfect for layering.
asserted
all → look → layering
On that note, layering just might be the key to getting menswear right this season.
uncertain
menswear → get → note
It was a focus for Rose Forde, a stylist known for her distinctive approach to men’s clothing, when she partnered with Bicester Village for the latest instalment of its Stylist Sessions series.
asserted
she → know → series
“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.
asserted
she → focus → Prada
“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.
asserted
I → see → coats
This season, layers are really at play, and the more you add, the more relaxed it feels.”
asserted
it → add → play
Arket looks to have got the memo, with an autumn/winter collection that layers zip cardigan over Henley (or brushed flannel shirt) over T-shirt, as well as cord overshirt over cardi over tee.
asserted
that → look → tee
Wax London is a good brand to have in your arsenal in this regard, with overshirts that stray just the right distance from the norm with quilted, reversible and vibrant plaid iterations.
asserted
that → have → iterations
For chunkier knits and great classic-with-a-twist outerwear, Percival takes some beating.
asserted
Percival → take → beating
All in all, the more-is-more approach to layering feels unpredictable-weather-proof as well as on trend.
asserted
approach → feel → trend
Here are five easy pieces to put some pep in your autumn/ winter step.
asserted
pieces → put → step
Paul Smith Loves Barbour T-shirt: £69.95, paulsmith.com
Taion x Universal Works Soft shell jacket: £150, universalworks.com
Wax London Overshirt: £175, waxlondon.com
Percival Wool overcoat: £330, percivalclo.com
JW Anderson x Guinness Carpet jumper: £1,295, jwanderson.com
Read More
Another thing to consider is jewellery, a growing category in menswear.
asserted
thing → read → menswear
According to Pinterest, searches for “men chain necklace” are up more than 350 per cent, while searches for more unexpected accessories including silver cuff bracelets and leather bag charms have also seen considerable growth.
uncertain
searches → accord → growth
Jeweller Rachel Boston says that her male clients are asking for chunkier, bolder forms and more sculptural shapes.
asserted
clients → say → forms
They’re also embracing diamonds, which is why she has just launched a range of men’s diamond rings called Relic, inspired by ancient Roman jewellery.
asserted
she → embrace → 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.
asserted
she → think → that
“Ten years ago, men’s jewellery could feel either extremely classic and traditional, or quite overtly masculine.
uncertain
jewellery → feel → ?
Men are being offered genuinely interesting designs, different proportions, gemstones and diamonds, and I think that naturally encourages people to experiment.”
asserted
that → offer → people
The men’s jewellery movement hasn’t quite caught on in high street stores, though Cos has multiple pieces, including strings of beads as well as classic box-chain necklaces.
asserted
Cos → catch → beads
There’s no harm in looking to mid-price women’s brands too; Mejuri has plenty of pieces that would look just as good on men as women, be it subtle or statement.
asserted
it → ’ → women
“I think fashion is much less binary than it used to be and jewellery is becoming the same,” says Boston.
asserted
Boston → think → ?
“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.”
asserted
you → ’ → it
This season and beyond, that will be the key to adding a note of intentionality to your wardrobe.
asserted
that → add → wardrobe
The Aporia
