Workwear is by no means a new trend as we get stuck into early 2026. It’s been shaping trends for decades now. From carpenter’s trousers to worker boots, and that doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon.
What has changed somewhat is how people choose to style various elements of workwear. As we get into 2026, this is becoming increasingly nuanced and, dare we say it, fun. From chore jackets to palettes, here’s how you can go about styling your workwear clothing this year.
Chore jackets
Chore jackets have been having a little moment for some time already, but in 2026, they’re making their big entrance. You’ll no doubt have seen people wearing vintage, blue French versions around for a while now, but this year, we expect to see them popping up in a much broader range of palettes and cuts.
As a piece of workwear, they’re really quite sophisticated, and can help to create an aesthetic reminiscent of their industrial origins in 19th century France. Get creative with them, play around, and see what works best for you.
Rugged footwear
There’s sometimes something a little jarring about seeing really rugged work trousers paired with some pristine sneakers. Of course, we’re not ones to judge – there’s nothing wrong with this kind of look, but as we get into 2026, it’s definitely not the only way to go about styling footwear with workwear clothing.
This year, we recommend being rugged, and getting creative with it. You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing, take a look around some charity shops and see what you can find. Being surprised with a nice find is so much more satisfying than paying through the nose for an item everyone else is already wearing.
A simple tee
Most workwear is meant to be simple, and that especially applies to what you wear underneath your workwear jacket. Keep it simple, with a plain white or black t-shirt. It means you’ll have much less to think about when you’re getting dressed each morning, and will keep the foundations of your aesthetic clean and simple.
It’s worth stocking up on a range of options from somewhere like Screen Textiles early in the year. Go high quality, and buy in bulk so that you don’t have to do your laundry every other day. You’ll also probably save a bit from an economy of scale!
Play with the palette
Lastly, while you can go the utility route in terms of cuts, pockets and fabric weights, you can absolutely have some fun playing around with the palette of your workwear clothing. Think about colours you want to wear more, and then find fun ways to integrate them into your outfits.
Styling workwear clothing in 2026 is ultimately about creating a fun journey that only you can make the itinerary for. Keep one eye on the trends that others are following as well, but make sure that you’re engaging with these kinds of styles in a way that’s rewarding to you first and foremost.
LL x
*This is a contributed post. As ever, all opinions are my own.
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