Just as the heat of summer distills our wardrobes down to a dress and a dress and a dress (or maybe a skirt!), fall’s brisk bite calls us to thoughtfully layer—puzzling together the pieces of our wardrobe into a cohesive outfit. For some, the most important layer of all is the final one: the jacket.
Creating a perfectly edited outfit, where each piece can stand on its own, takes a practiced eye for style that simply comes with time and practice. However, one can easily create the illusion of the time invested with a good jacket, as it can easily be the centerpiece around which you build the rest of your ensemble—and the specific styles trending for fall 2026 certainly make a statement. On the runways and at our favorite retailers, we’ve seen embellishments and head-turning silhouettes everywhere. Whether it’s in the form of tassel and fringe bags, funky jewelry, or tailored outerwear, the more dramatic or eclectic, the better for this season—and the jackets are no exception.
Napoleonic Military Jackets
Military jackets first trickled back into the trend reports this past spring, with the tailored silhouette making appearances on the runways for Alexander McQueen, Balmain, and Ralph Lauren. The style’s only picking up steam, with more recent looks from Dior and Khaite demonstrating a shift into the ornately bohemian realm of Napoleonic military jackets. Now, the jacket’s a canvas for flourishes of detail like braided cords, sharp stand collars, embroidered detailing, and gold buttons.
Dramatic Dusters
