CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

Forget fast fashion and fleeting trends. For Autumn/Winter 2026, the focus is firmly on craftsmanship, heritage and a more considered approach to dressing. As consumers look to build wardrobes that work harder and last longer, timeless outerwear is having a moment, with wax cotton, tweed, wool and functional yet fashionable jackets leading the way.

The weather may have something to do with it. According to the Met Office, the chances of a warm and wet autumn in 2026 are twice as high as would normally be expected. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Google Trends has recorded a 5,000% breakout in searches for ‘lightweight autumn jacket’ compared with the previous year. But this renewed interest in outerwear goes well beyond the forecast.

Craftsmanship is now a defining priority for luxury shoppers. According to McKinsey’s The State of Fashion 2026 report, 52% of high-net-worth consumers say better product quality and craftsmanship would encourage them to spend more with luxury brands. As the report explains, brands are moving away from price-led growth and refocusing on creativity and craftsmanship to rebuild consumer trust.

At the heart of this shift is a desire to buy better, buy less and think further ahead. Jack Murphy’s internal sales data points to a growing appetite for investment dressing, with overall orders increasing by 58% year-on-year in Q2 and men’s jackets and coats recording a 174% surge in revenue. Even during the summer heat, consumers were investing in heritage outerwear, with wax cotton proving particularly popular.

Matthew Murphy, fashion trend expert at Jack Murphy, believes versatility is the defining theme of the season.

“Investing in pieces that can work transeasonally is the main overarching trope for AW26 fashion. We’re less likely to order hastily for a particular season or occasion, but instead look ahead and purchase timeless, quality garments that actually have longevity – bonus points if they’re interchangeable with other pieces in our capsule wardrobe.

“The luxury shopper is looking to classic heritage fabrics like wax cotton, tweed and wool, which naturally lend themselves to this because they bring together craftsmanship, functionality and a sense of timelessness, but also they’re contemporary. People still want to look fashionable, but increasingly they want their clothes to weather well – literally – in every season.”

So, what does that mean for the season ahead? From relaxed tailoring to earthy greens and a renewed appreciation of traditional British and Irish fabrics, these are the key outerwear trends shaping AW26.

The Craft Behind the Autumn/Winter Jacket

Outerwear is doing more than completing an outfit this season. It is becoming the foundation of a more considered wardrobe, where practicality, quality and longevity take precedence over novelty.

Jack Murphy’s sales data reflects this growing interest. Waterproof outerwear accounts for 44% of combined August-to-December category sales, compared with 39% for tweed, highlighting the continued importance of functional protection alongside heritage appeal. Meanwhile, a 79% year-on-year increase in wax cotton sales points to renewed enthusiasm for materials that combine traditional craftsmanship with everyday performance.

The appeal is straightforward. A well-made jacket needs to look as good over a lightweight knit on a mild autumn afternoon as it does layered over heavier clothing when temperatures drop. With unpredictable weather and increasingly versatile lifestyles, the investment piece is no longer reserved for a particular season.

Think the preppy, distinctly British aesthetic of The Gentlemen, with its tailored blazers, heritage checks and well-cut coats worn with denim and more relaxed essentials. The modern approach to dressing is about looking considered without appearing overly styled.

For AW26, the key is finding the balance between elegance and ease. Heritage tailoring provides the structure, while contemporary styling makes it relevant to everyday life.

Beating the Algorithm With Transitional Pieces

In a world increasingly shaped by social media trends and algorithm-driven recommendations, dressing individually is becoming an appealing alternative to following every new fashion moment.

The answer lies in versatility. Rather than buying an outfit for a particular occasion, consumers are investing in interchangeable pieces that can move seamlessly between work, socialising and leisure. A well-cut jacket, a versatile pair of jeans and quality knitwear can work across multiple settings without requiring an entirely new wardrobe.

Vogue has explored the relationship between algorithm dressing and the increasingly uniform looks circulating online, suggesting that a wardrobe built around personal style and well-loved pieces offers a way to step away from the endless cycle of trend-led consumption.

It is a philosophy that fits neatly with the growing interest in capsule wardrobes. Instead of constantly refreshing the contents of the wardrobe, the emphasis is on making existing pieces work harder, supported by carefully chosen additions that offer genuine longevity.

A lightweight wax jacket, a classic tweed blazer or a versatile trench coat can become the cornerstone of that approach, adapting to changing weather and different occasions without compromising on style.

Green Is the New Black

Black may remain a wardrobe staple, but green is making a compelling case for itself as the defining neutral of AW26. From deep forest tones to earthy olive, the colour brings a sense of natural sophistication to outerwear while offering the versatility of more traditional shades.

Green tartan is particularly relevant this season. Drawing inspiration from the Irish landscape, moss, pine and bracken tones give heritage checks a richness and depth that works effortlessly alongside navy, camel, black and denim.

Olive is another key shade, bringing an understated military influence to contemporary outerwear. Jack Murphy’s internal sales data reveals a 300% year-on-year increase in olive wax jackets, while navy styles have grown by 79%. The figures reflect a broader appetite for classic, earthy colours that feel both timeless and relevant.

Whether in a traditional wax jacket, a textured tweed blazer or a practical everyday coat, green offers a confident alternative to the conventional autumn palette. It is sophisticated without being overly formal and provides a natural connection to the heritage materials and craftsmanship defining the season.

Craftsmanship and the Return of Heritage Materials

The renewed interest in heritage outerwear is as much about the materials as the silhouettes. Wax cotton, tweed and wool are enjoying a resurgence as consumers place greater emphasis on provenance, durability and the craftsmanship behind their clothes.

Jack Murphy’s sales data shows that waterproof styles account for approximately 77% of the combined waterproof and tweed units sold across the categories tracked. Within tweed, traditional patterns such as herringbone and checks remain among the strongest performers.

Wax cotton, however, is experiencing particularly strong momentum. Overall sales have increased by 79% year-on-year, with menswear waxed garments surging by 99% and womenswear revenue growing by 69%.

These figures suggest that heritage fabrics are appealing to a broad range of consumers, rather than being confined to traditional country dressing. Their attraction lies in the combination of function, texture and enduring design, qualities that make them equally relevant in urban environments and the countryside.

For Jack Murphy, the movement reflects a wider shift towards investment dressing and the slow fashion philosophy. Consumers are increasingly interested in garments that offer more than immediate visual appeal, valuing the story behind the material and the practical benefits of owning something made to last.

Tweed Is In

From the return of Peaky Blinders to the anticipation surrounding The Gentlemen Season 2, heritage tailoring continues to influence the way we dress on and off screen. Add the enduring appeal of Mid-Century Modern interiors and a growing appreciation of tactile materials, and it is little wonder that tweed is enjoying renewed attention.

Texture is very much the point. Herringbone, checks, corduroy and substantial knitwear bring depth and character to the autumn wardrobe, creating opportunities for layering and combining traditional fabrics with more contemporary silhouettes.

Jack Murphy’s internal sales figures underline the growing appetite for tweed. Donegal tweed sales increased by 40% between 2024 and 2025, with menswear tweed sales rising by an impressive 335%.

For AW26, tweed jackets and blazers are central to a darker, more romantic interpretation of the heritage aesthetic. Think dark academia, oversized knitwear, corduroy trousers, layered textures and a palette of earthy, muted colours. It is an approach that draws on the past without becoming trapped by it.

Ultimately, the appeal of tweed lies in its ability to deliver character and practicality in equal measure. It brings warmth, texture and a sense of history to everyday dressing, while working effortlessly alongside modern wardrobe staples.

As AW26 unfolds, the message from Jack Murphy is clear: the future of fashion has a strong appreciation for its past. In a season shaped by unpredictable weather, changing consumer priorities and a growing appetite for quality, heritage outerwear offers something increasingly valuable: garments that look good, work hard and are made to stay in the wardrobe long after the season has passed.

What do you buy for someone who has everything? Where do you take someone on a first date when dinner and drinks feels a little predictable? And what do you do when you fancy a day out that involves a little more than simply wandering around the usual tourist attractions?

The answer, rather intriguingly, might be a mystery.

Mystery Guides turns some of the UK’s best-known cities into real-life treasure hunts, combining puzzles, local history, landmarks and an actual hidden prize. For £19.99, each guide sends you on an approximately two-mile adventure, deciphering clues, investigating your surroundings and working together to crack the case.

And unlike your average walking tour, there is something waiting at the end of it.

Real treasure.

The concept sits somewhere between a treasure hunt and an outdoor escape room, with the city itself providing the playing field. Rather than simply following a prescribed route, players are encouraged to look a little closer at buildings, monuments, plaques and historical details that are usually passed without a second glance.

It also makes a rather good date.

Forget Dinner and Drinks

First dates can be surprisingly formulaic. A drink. Dinner. Another drink. Perhaps a walk if things are going particularly well.

Mystery Guides gives couples something to actually do together. There are clues to debate, puzzles to solve and, inevitably, the moment when one person becomes convinced they’ve cracked the entire mystery while the other quietly carries on looking for the answer.

The approximately two-mile routes can easily be combined with coffee, lunch, drinks or dinner, turning the mystery into part of a bigger day out. There is also no fixed start time or booking requirement, so the experience can fit around the rest of your plans.

It is dating, but with considerably more plot.

The £20 Gift for Someone Who Has Everything

The same thinking makes Mystery Guides an appealing alternative when it comes to gifting.

At £19.99, you’re not buying another object destined to occupy a drawer or sit on a shelf. You’re buying something to do. Each guide comes with a gift sleeve, while a physical gift card is also available for those who would rather let the recipient choose their own city.

They’re suitable for birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries or simply those occasions when you want to give someone something that doesn’t begin with the words “I wasn’t sure what to get you…”

And with almost one million guides sold, it’s clearly an idea that has found an audience. Mystery Guides was also recently named a Gift of the Year winner by the Home and Giftware Association.

There Really Is Treasure

The treasure isn’t just part of the story. It’s actually hidden somewhere along the route.

Players follow the trail, decipher the clues and use the information they uncover to work out where they need to go. The challenge is to solve the mystery and locate the prize.

The stories themselves are fictional, but they’re rooted in real history, genuine locations and historical details, giving the adventures an educational element without ever feeling like a history lesson.

In York, The Mystery of the Gunpowder Snitch takes players around locations including the Shambles, York Minster and the City Walls. London’s adventures include The Mystery of the Great Coin Robbery and The Mystery of the Holy Grail, while Southampton offers The Mystery of Titanic’s Missing Millions. Nottingham, meanwhile, gets The Mystery of Robin Hood’s Secret Stash.

It’s a clever way of rediscovering places you might think you already know.

A Different Way to See the City

Mystery Guides was founded by Jack Wells in 2019, developing the original concept from his spare room. With a background in history, Wells combined research, route planning, puzzle writing and storytelling to create an experience that uses real-world locations as part of the game.

What started as a single adventure has grown into a collection covering cities across the UK, including Bath, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Canterbury, Cardiff, Chester, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, Lincoln, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxford, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Reading, Sheffield, Southampton, Stratford-upon-Avon, Winchester, Windsor and York.

With three London adventures alone, there’s plenty of scope for repeat offenders.

Perhaps the appeal is that Mystery Guides makes you look up.

In an age of screen-led entertainment, algorithmically selected restaurants and increasingly familiar date-night formulas, there is something rather refreshing about being handed a set of clues and being told to go outside and figure something out.

You get a walk. You get a story. You get to discover a little more about the city around you.

And, if you’ve done it properly, you get the treasure too.

Mystery Guides cost £19.99, with each adventure containing 40 full-colour pages and a gift sleeve as standard. Physical gift cards are also available, allowing recipients to choose their preferred location.

In a streetwear landscape where slapping a logo on a blank hoodie can sometimes pass for a design philosophy, MERTRA is taking a rather different approach. Think technical innovation, unconventional materials, considered construction and a healthy disregard for the boundaries between fashion, art, music and contemporary culture.

Founded in Melbourne in 2022 by then twenty-year-old Aron Williams, MERTRA has quickly established itself as a label with an international outlook and a distinctly independent spirit. What began as a personal pursuit of clothing that Williams simply couldn’t find elsewhere has developed into a global fashion operation, with a million-plus community across Instagram and TikTok and an expanding presence spanning the UK, Europe, the US, Japan and Australia.

And now, the brand is making another significant move, officially opening its US operations and bringing an end to the customs charges, international shipping costs and lengthy delivery times that American customers have previously had to endure.

It’s another milestone for a label that has consistently demonstrated that global ambition doesn’t necessarily require a traditional route to market.

More Than Just a Logo

MERTRA’s appeal lies in its commitment to the details. Rather than relying on familiar streetwear formulas, the brand has built its collections around material experimentation, technical construction and garments that offer something beyond the obvious.

Its product range covers everything from outerwear, fleece and tracksuits to bags, headwear and eyewear. But look a little closer and the real interest is in the design thinking behind the pieces.

Shells that react to heat, water and light, reversible outerwear, convertible bags and caps, alongside carefully sourced fabrics selected for their technical properties and rarity, demonstrate a willingness to explore what clothing can actually do.

There is a functional intelligence to the collections, but equally an appreciation of visual impact and individuality. The result is streetwear that feels informed by the technical demands of performance apparel as much as the expressive possibilities of contemporary fashion.

It’s an interesting space to occupy, particularly at a time when the lines between luxury, streetwear, sportswear and technical clothing have become increasingly fluid.

From Melbourne to the World

MERTRA’s journey has been anything but conventional. Founded in Australia, the brand developed its international audience through direct-to-consumer releases, building demand across multiple markets before establishing a physical operational presence in each.

Now headquartered in London, with offices in Melbourne and China and a team of 23, MERTRA has maintained a distinctly global outlook from the outset. Each release has been available directly to consumers, with drops timed to the minute and accessible to an international audience from day one.

That approach has helped create a community that extends well beyond any single fashion scene or geographical market.

As Williams explains:

“When I started MERTRA in Australia, I was designing clothes for myself that I couldn’t find anywhere else. My outlook has always been cosmopolitan, drawn to art, music, sport, and fashion in equal measure. As the brand has grown, watching people from all over the world connect with what we’re doing has been nuts.

“MERTRA has never been about a single scene or subculture. It’s about a shared outlook and an appreciation for the complexities and crossovers in modern life and self-expression, wherever people come from.”

It’s a philosophy that feels particularly relevant to a generation of consumers who are as likely to draw inspiration from underground music, contemporary art and global sport as they are from traditional fashion institutions.

Collaborations Without Borders

Collaboration has become an increasingly important part of MERTRA’s creative identity, providing an opportunity to explore different perspectives while expanding the brand’s cultural reach.

In 2025, the label partnered with British sportswear institution Umbro on a 17-piece collection, bringing together MERTRA’s technical sensibilities with the sporting heritage of a name synonymous with football and British street culture.

The following year saw further creative partnerships, including a collaboration with British-Nigerian artist Olaolu Slawn. Known for his distinctive visual language, Slawn brought his artistic perspective to a series of hand-painted, one-of-one pieces, blurring the boundaries between wearable fashion and collectible art.

MERTRA also launched its first eyewear collection in collaboration with designer Peter Yee, extending its product offering into another category where material choices, design detail and personal expression are particularly important.

These projects suggest a brand more interested in creative crossovers than simply adding another recognisable name to its portfolio.

Campaigns That Refuse to Stand Still

If the collections demonstrate MERTRA’s interest in technical design, its campaigns reveal a similarly adventurous approach to visual storytelling.

The brand has worked with a diverse cast of cultural figures, including Lil Yachty, SAINTÉ, Mia Khalifa, Giovanna Ramos, iaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnn and Camo!, creating imagery in locations that are a long way from the familiar conventions of fashion advertising.

Campaigns have been photographed on Mont Blanc, across Southern Italy, inside a prison and in a cave 70 metres underground. The visual settings are deliberately varied, reflecting a creative outlook that doesn’t feel particularly interested in playing by the established rules of fashion marketing.

Earlier this year, MERTRA spent a month in the United States shooting campaigns in Los Angeles and New York, while its collaboration with Olaolu Slawn was photographed on Lil Yachty in Atlanta.

There is an interesting contrast between the technical precision of the clothing and the often unconventional environments in which it is presented. Rather than simply showcasing garments against carefully controlled studio backdrops, MERTRA uses its campaigns to construct a wider cultural narrative around the label.

It’s fashion as an ongoing conversation rather than simply a product launch.

America, the Next Chapter

The opening of MERTRA’s US operations marks an important development in the brand’s international expansion.

Until now, American customers have supported the label despite having to contend with additional customs charges, international delivery costs and waiting times that could stretch into weeks. With the new operation in place, US customers can access faster shipping, avoid those additional charges and enjoy the same direct experience already available to customers in the UK, Europe and Australia.

For Williams, the move represents the culmination of a relationship that has developed organically over several years.

“The US supported MERTRA from very early on, despite customers having to pay customs and wait weeks for their orders. Establishing a proper US operation was always a priority, and now our American customers can finally have the same experience as those in Australia, the UK, and Europe. Faster shipping, no additional charges, and full access to our archive and new releases.”

It is a logical next step for a business that has grown internationally through digital distribution and community engagement, rather than following the traditional retail expansion playbook.

America follows the UK, Europe and Australia, markets that MERTRA entered through product releases and an existing audience before establishing a more substantial operational presence. In that sense, the US launch is less about discovering a new market and more about investing in one that has already demonstrated its appetite for the brand.

A Different Perspective on Modern Streetwear

MERTRA’s rapid growth offers an interesting insight into the changing nature of contemporary streetwear. The traditional distinctions between fashion, sport, art and music are increasingly difficult to maintain, while digital communities allow independent labels to develop international audiences without necessarily relying on established retail infrastructure.

Williams’ original ambition was relatively straightforward: to create clothing that reflected his own interests and creative outlook. What has emerged is a brand that brings together technical experimentation, global cultural references and a direct relationship with its audience.

With its growing product range, high-profile collaborations, unconventional campaigns and expanding international operations, MERTRA is continuing to develop on its own terms.

And perhaps that is the most interesting aspect of the brand. In a market where so many labels are competing for attention through recognisable logos and familiar streetwear tropes, MERTRA is making a case for a more considered approach, one where the construction, materials and ideas behind the clothes matter just as much as the name on the label.

From Melbourne to London and now firmly established in the American market, this is a brand with a genuinely international perspective and plenty more territory to explore.

For the man who believes the best journeys are the ones that take him somewhere unexpected, Montblanc is extending its olfactory adventure with Explorer Infinite, the latest addition to its exploration-inspired fragrance collection. Inspired by the vastness of the desert and the magnetic allure of the horizon, this new Eau de Parfum captures the spirit of discovery in a composition that balances luminous freshness with sophisticated depth.

Building on the signature of the original Montblanc Explorer Eau de Parfum, Explorer Infinite takes the story in a new direction, exploring the contrast between the fiery warmth of a desert sunset and the cool mystery of the approaching night. It is an evocative vision of freedom, possibility and the enduring desire to discover what lies beyond the horizon.

Belonging to the Woody Aromatic Musk fragrance family, the composition opens with a vibrant burst of juicy lemon essential oil, bringing an immediate sense of brightness and energy. At its heart, patchouli provides the fragrance with its distinctive magnetic character. Exclusively crafted for the Montblanc Explorer collection, this interpretation moves away from the ingredient’s traditionally earthy associations, revealing refined leathery and cocoa nuances that add complexity and sophistication.

The base introduces refined musks, enveloping the composition in a lasting, sensual warmth and leaving a captivating trail. The result is a fragrance built around contrasts: fresh yet deep, radiant yet mysterious, with a contemporary elegance that remains true to the Explorer identity.

Behind the composition are master perfumers Jordi Fernandez and Antoine Maisondieu, the creative talents responsible for both Montblanc Explorer Eau de Parfum and Montblanc Explorer Extreme. With Explorer Infinite, the duo continue their exploration of the collection’s distinctive olfactory signature, bringing renewed brightness and depth to its enduring appeal.

“Explorer Infinite is about the endless pursuit of discovery. A fragrance that bridges the warmth of the sun and the mystery of the horizon. It’s luminous, captivating, and full of contrast,” explain Fernandez and Maisondieu.

The campaign brings this spirit to life through the Explorer man, once again embodied by Justice, journeying across a breathtaking desert landscape at sunset. Against the vast, ever-changing colours of the horizon, each step represents the courage to venture further, embrace the unknown and pursue new possibilities.

Ultimately, Montblanc Explorer Infinite is a fragrance for the modern adventurer, capturing the thrill of the journey rather than simply the destination. With its interplay of citrus brightness, sophisticated patchouli and enveloping musk, it offers a compelling new chapter in Montblanc’s continuing exploration of the art of masculine perfumery.

Some partnerships make perfect sense. Paul Smith and Grenson is one of them: two British names with a shared belief that great products begin with exceptional craftsmanship, attention to detail and a healthy respect for the people who make them.

The new footwear capsule brings that philosophy together in a four-piece edit, combining Grenson’s traditional Northamptonshire shoemaking with Paul Smith’s unmistakable contemporary eye and signature flashes of colour.

When Paul Smith opened his first shop on Byard Lane in Nottingham in 1970, everything was made locally. His earliest collections were cut and sewn by makers just down the road, establishing a connection with British manufacturing that has remained part of the brand’s DNA as it has grown into a global name.

That appreciation for British-born craftsmanship has never disappeared. If anything, it has become more significant, with the people, processes and skills behind the product remaining as important as the finished article.

Grenson shares much the same philosophy. Founded in 1866, the Northamptonshire shoemaker has been producing footwear in its original factory for more than 150 years, preserving traditional techniques while continuing to evolve its approach to modern footwear.

For this collaboration, the two brands have brought together four distinctive styles, each made using Grenson’s signature Triple Welt construction. It is a method that places craftsmanship firmly at the heart of the collection, while providing the durability and distinctive structure for which Grenson footwear is known.

The materials are equally considered. Carefully selected leathers range from naturally grained French bison to hand-painted calf, giving each style its own character and finish. Then comes the unmistakable Paul Smith touch: flashes of colour appear across the collection, from contrasting stitching and colourful soles to considered details around the heel.

It is a meeting of two approaches that complement rather than compete with each other. Grenson provides the heritage, construction and shoemaking expertise; Paul Smith brings the colour, individuality and contemporary perspective.

And behind every pair is a remarkably involved process. From the initial cut of the leather to the final polish, each shoe takes weeks to complete and passes through hundreds of individual stages. The result is footwear where the craftsmanship is not simply part of the story – it is built into every detail.

This is British shoemaking at its most considered: traditional skills, exceptional materials and generations of knowledge, given a distinctly modern twist.

Take a look behind the scenes at Grenson’s original Northamptonshire factory and discover the craftsmanship, people and painstaking processes that go into making every pair.