What can business leaders wear this autumn? 10 workplace trends for autumn 2026

The start of a new season often comes with a wardrobe dilemma: How do you dress for the office without falling back on the same trousers, shirt and blazer combination every day?

Across the Fall/Winter 2026 collections, tailoring remains prominent, but designers have been playing with proportion, texture and styling rather than simply returning to traditional corporate dressing. Vogue describes the season as a move towards a more expressive approach, where practical wardrobe staples are being combined with richer textures and less predictable details.

For professionals, that creates plenty of room to experiment while keeping things workplace-appropriate.

For women

1. Relaxed tailoring

The trouser suit is not disappearing, but it does not have to look overly corporate. Looser trousers, oversized blazers and waistcoats can create a more contemporary version of traditional office tailoring.

The trend has also been visible in Milan street style, where oversized proportions and softer fabrics have been used to make waistcoat-and-trouser combinations feel less rigid.

For work, try wide-leg tailored trousers with a simple fitted top and blazer, finished with loafers or a low heel.

2. Brown instead of black

Chocolate brown has already established itself as a wardrobe staple, and the colour is continuing into autumn 2026. This season, however, lighter variations including cinnamon, chestnut, camel and beige are also gaining ground.

It is particularly easy to translate into office wear. A brown blazer with cream trousers, a chocolate skirt with a white shirt, or a camel suit offers an alternative to the usual black, grey and navy.

3. The crisp shirt – but styled differently

The button-down is one of the simplest pieces to bring into the office, and it has received considerable attention on the autumn 2026 runways.

Rather than automatically pairing a white shirt with conventional black trousers, it can be worn slightly oversized with a midi skirt, layered underneath knitwear or paired with wide-leg trousers and a belt.

The result keeps the professionalism of the classic office shirt without looking like a uniform.

4. Burgundy and pops of colour

Autumn does not necessarily mean abandoning colour. Burgundy is back among the season's prominent shades, alongside royal purple, cobalt blue, turquoise and red.

For workplaces with conservative dress codes, the trend can be incorporated subtly through a burgundy handbag, shoe, knit or belt. Those with greater freedom could opt for a burgundy suit or coloured blazer over otherwise neutral clothing.

5. The ‘updated lady’

One of Vogue's defining Fall/Winter 2026 trends has been dubbed the “Updated Lady”: classic, polished dressing reworked to feel more contemporary, appearing at fashion houses including Chanel and Givenchy.

For the workplace, think midi skirts, fitted jackets, cardigans, structured handbags and elegant flats – but without necessarily wearing them all at once.

For men

1. The power suit is back – with more personality

For men working in more formal environments, there is good news: the suit is very much alive.

GQ's assessment of office dressing in 2026 points towards a renewed interest in full suits, strong lapels, quality shirts and properly tailored trousers.

That does not necessarily mean reverting to the predictable navy suit and white shirt. Texture, slightly wider trousers, stronger silhouettes and different shirt-and-tie combinations can update the look without making it inappropriate for a meeting.

2. ‘Rugged luxury’

One of menswear's more interesting trends this autumn is what forecasters have termed “rugged luxury” – taking inspiration from practical outdoor clothing while making it sophisticated enough for everyday wardrobes.

Brown, utility shirts and field jackets are central to the look, with interest in field jackets in particular growing ahead of the season.

A smart field jacket over a knitted polo or shirt, paired with tailored trousers and loafers, offers a particularly workable interpretation for a business-casual office.

3. Brown tailoring

Brown is not only dominating womenswear. Chocolate and earthy tones are also significant in men's clothing this season, while browns, khaki and grey appeared prominently across Fall 2026 menswear collections.

A brown blazer, suede shoe or chocolate knit can be introduced individually, while those willing to go further can opt for a full brown or corduroy suit.

4. The smarter chore or workwear jacket

The chore coat has moved considerably beyond its utilitarian roots. GQ identifies chore coats among the menswear trends carrying into early autumn, while field and textured jackets are also having a particularly strong season.

For an office without a strict suit-and-tie requirement, a structured chore jacket can effectively take the place of a blazer. Pair it with a button-down shirt or fine knit, tailored trousers and smart shoes to stop the outfit from becoming too casual.

5. Knitwear as part of the outfit

Autumn naturally means knitwear, but this season it can play a more deliberate role in an outfit.

Fall 2026 collections have featured knits not only as traditional jumpers but as styling pieces, including sweaters worn over the shoulders or around the waist.

For work, a fine crewneck over a collared shirt remains an easy option, while a knitted polo with tailored trousers provides a more relaxed alternative to a shirt. A sweater over the shoulders can also work for a less formal office – and is particularly practical during Malta's autumn, when temperatures may not yet justify a full coat.