20 Essential Wardrobe Items for Men in 2026

January. Here we are. The month of iron-clad resolve. Waistline? The fitness regime is downloaded. Meal plan? Printed and stuck on the fridge door. Alcohol? Banished. Wardrobe? Christmas cash is burning a hole in your pocket, and credit cards are paid up and reporting for duty.

We commend the motivation, but when it comes to refreshing your fits, a more discerning approach will pay long-term dividends. Drawing from Mr Porter’s Menswear Essentials campaign, we’ve curated a selection of luxury investment items that double down on quality.

Think superior fabrics, perfect fits, and timeless aesthetics by the likes of Brunello Cucinelli, Loro Piana and Tom Ford, creating a wardrobe that’s impervious to the whims of trends.

Coats and Jackets

While there are pockets of menswear where prices seem like the decimal place has gone AWOL (branded tees, we’re looking at you), you can at least be assured that when it comes to luxury outerwear, you’re almost always getting more bang for your buck.

Yes, a statement coat or jacket might just be the most expensive thing you buy all year, but choose well, and you’re looking at a garment with a lifespan measured not in years but in decades.

Great outerwear is a statement of intent, and often the first thing that people use to create an impression of you, so it’s not a throwaway decision.

Prioritise natural fibres such as cashmere or virgin wool in flattering silhouettes that layer seamlessly over knits or tailoring. Neutral tones and clean lines will give you versatility, while the longevity will come from choosing brands that champion artisanal craft.

Key picks

Crafted in a tactile tweed woven by the esteemed Italian mill Manteco, NN07’s overcoat will layer beautifully over your chunky knits or a preppy rugby shirt. The neutral tone also allows you to pair it with bolder colour accents for a strong contrast.

Officine Générale have somehow managed to bottle Parisian cool and give each of its seasons a good spritz of it, as perfectly exemplified here with its tan suede Erikson jacket.

Crafted from buttery soft suede and with a relaxed silhouette that riffs on old-school workwear jackets, it will slide into your smart-casual rotation for years to come.

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Knitwear

Provided you take good care of it, a great piece of knitwear can be another well-loved item that keeps providing style, warmth, and comfort when autumn and winter roll around.

Whether you prefer to wear knitwear as a layer or as a standalone piece of outerwear, texture is the defining characteristic you should focus on, as it gives the garment character, tactility, and ultimately adds depth to your looks.

Cashmere is king when you want that super soft feel, while merino wool will give you a little more structure and shape. The V-neck is forever making a comeback, but we’d recommend opting for a crew-neck jumper if you value versatility.

The gauge of the yarn will also play a role in how you wear it – fine-gauge styles are great for layering under tailoring, whereas chunky knits will serve you better as outerwear. Also, we tend to think only of jumpers when considering knitwear, but don’t overlook knitted cardigans that moonlight as short jackets.

As for the palette, mix it up. Bold crew necks are a great way to inject life into an understated ensemble, while neutral tones with flecks of colour add even more depth.

Key picks

This Elder Statesman cashmere crew-neck offers impeccable comfort with a big dose of playful colour. It layers without bulk and ages with grace – an investment in tactile luxury that feels as good in year 10 as it does on day one.

Drawing inspiration from Aran Islands workwear, Inis Meáin’s cardigan blends merino wool and cashmere for warmth and bags of character.

While patch pockets and saddle shoulders underscore the heritage aesthetic, this is still very much a modern piece you can style every which way.

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Shirts

Whether you lean into a modern preppy aesthetic at the weekend or prefer a quiet luxury approach to Monday-Friday dressing, the shirt remains a wardrobe pillar, juggling tailored poise and casual cool with equal aplomb.

For the autumn and winter months, you’ll want to be seeking out fine cotton poplin for smarter styles, whereas brushed cotton and wool flannel work well for more relaxed looks.

Opt for solid tones, subtle stripes or classic checks and vary your collar styles to have a diverse rotation at your disposal – think button-downs, classic spreads, and the odd cutaway to keep things interesting.

Key picks

There are everyday office shirts, and then there are boardroom takeover shirts, and this exquisite Canali number is most definitely the latter, for when you want to level up your sartorial game. Cut from smooth cotton-poplin, it features barrel cuffs and a perfectly proportioned collar, with subtle shell buttons for extra refinement.

Auralee’s ‘Airy’ wool-flannel shirt lives up to its name with a soft handle and crinkled finish that adds lived-in character. The checked pattern keeps things interesting without shouting, delivering a sophisticated layer that pairs well with relaxed tailoring or casual looks alike.

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Trousers

There’s a whole gamut of trousers, from preppy chinos to sartorial double-pleats, but you need only focus on a few core styles as your year-round essentials.

There’s one all-important feature that is non-negotiable: fit. You can style out an oversized coat or a boxy jacket, but poorly fitting trousers are not so inconspicuous.

A solid option for an interesting casual fabric is corduroy. Once maligned as something a geography teacher might wear, corduroy has rightfully re-taken its seat at style’s top table, providing a unique textural and tactile quality to your lower half. For a smarter option, wool suit trousers with a sleek natural taper can be really sophisticated separates, pairing well with a tonal shirt and textural wool coat, for example.

If your aesthetic is more tailored, or your Monday-Friday demands it, having a rotation of precisely fitted trousers that can take you from the office to a bar is money well spent.

Key Picks

NN07’s straight-leg corduroy trousers boast a subtle organic cotton texture combined with effortless versatility. The rich cord offers its unique brand of groovy tactility to casual outfits, while the clean silhouette ensures they sit comfortably within a thoughtful essentials rotation.

The Italian master of understated luxury, Brunello Cucinelli never fails to deliver relaxed elegance using the finest fabrics. These beige slim-fit chinos are crafted from a stretch-cotton twill and are the perfect dance partner for relaxed summer tailoring.

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T-Shirts

The unsung heroes of menswear? T-shirts definitely have a claim to the title. But we’re not talking about branded or graphic styles here; rather, plain tees of superior quality that slide into our wardrobes as essential layers of colour.

First up, the classic white tee, original and best, made famous on the torsos of Marlon Brando and James Dean. There’s nothing a good white T-shirt can’t do. Pair it with jeans or wear it with a bespoke suit; it’s always on the money.

Fabric weight is a key ingredient to the T-shirt holding its shape, especially around the neckline, as is the quality of the cotton. Look for cotton jersey, Supima cotton, or cotton and modal blends for a smooth drape.

Block collar tees are another great option for your essentials arsenal, offering a pop of colour to layered looks, whatever the season.

Key Picks

James Perse’s combed cotton-jersey tee sets the standard for premium basics: smooth, shape-holding fabric with a refined drape that elevates simple layering. It’s the perfect foundation to complement pretty much everything in your wardrobe.

Mr P’s relaxed-fit tee combines organic and recycled cotton for a soft, conscientious essential that holds its form beautifully. Ideal as a clean layer beneath open shirts or knitwear, it brings understated quality to everyday fits.

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Jeans

Jeans are an icon of Americana and come in many different guises these days, from the questionably skinny to contemporary carrot fits. We’d swerve anything too edgy for the purposes of building an essentials wardrobe and opt instead for classic straight or tapered fits cut in selvedge denim.

Selvedge is woven on traditional shuttle looms, which produce a closed, self-finished edge that doesn’t fray and features a signature coloured thread. The fabric is typically of higher yarn quality and boasts superior construction thanks to its tighter weave. Although they can feel stiff at first, selvedge denim gradually moulds to your contours, eventually feeling like a second skin.

For a slightly smarter look, opt for black slim-fit jeans. They can be easily dressed up with loafers or Chelsea boots and relaxed tailoring.

Key Picks

Orslow’s Japanese-made ‘105’ selvedge denim jeans boast a straight-leg cut and signature selvedge edge. With classic proportions and superior construction, this is a pair of jeans that moulds to you over time, developing a unique patina with age.

Frame obsesses over fit, fabric, and feel, resulting in the ‘L’Homme’ slim silhouette that balances modern taper with effortless wearability. Cut from quality denim, these jeans transition seamlessly from casual days to dressed-up evenings, proving why thoughtful denim will always have a place in your wardrobe.

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Shoes

Leather footwear demands an article all to itself, but there are a handful of styles that could be deemed wardrobe essentials thanks to their versatility.

One of these is the loafer, which effortlessly straddles the smart-casual spectrum, bookending your suits or your jeans. A classic black penny loafer ticks all the boxes and is a great year-round shoe with an adaptable aesthetic.

The Chelsea boot is another timeless style that can switch character depending on what you style them with. They add a touch of nonchalance and swagger to tailored looks, while offering a bit of polish to slim black jeans.

Neither of these styles from any of the Northamptonshire heritage brands comes cheap, but again, when looked after and regularly re-soled, the initial outlay looks like good value when you get years and years of joy from them.

Key Picks

John Lobb’s ‘Lawry’ Chelsea boot in black leather is a masterclass in enduring craft: 190 meticulous steps, Goodyear-welted construction, vegetable-tanned soles with rubber tips for grip. Timeless polish from the Northamptonshire legends, built to be resoled and cherished for decades.

J.M. Weston’s iconic ‘180’ loafer features premium black leather, traditional penny slots, and split apron toes. Handcrafted in Limoges, it straddles smart and casual with supreme versatility, complementing everything from jeans and tailored shorts to linen summer suits.

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Sneakers

It wasn’t that long ago that sneakers had transcended footwear to become a tradable commodity. Thankfully, that mania has been consigned to history.

There are still sneakers with hype value, but for a timeless wardrobe that swerves trends, opt for clean, minimalist lines in premium suede or calfskin that you can pair with a suit one day and casual shorts the next.

White tennis pump styles offer the greatest versatility, but neutral tones, especially in suede, can add a fresh, textural element to your outfits.

Key Picks

Tom Ford keeps sneakers classically restrained in this Warwick style, opting for full-grain leather for a subtle pebbled texture. Effortlessly dressed up with tailoring or down with denim, they deliver premium versatility without chasing hype. An investment in clean, enduring lines.

Modelled on 1970s marathon and track styles, Dries Van Noten’s low-profile sneakers blend supple Italian leather with supportive suede trims and flat soles. Understated texture and retro-inspired aesthetics make them a fresh yet timeless addition to any considered wardrobe.

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Bags

Utility used to be the defining characteristic of a man’s bag, but in 2026 it has become equal parts style apparatus and status symbol (of course, women have known this for decades).

Bags merge function with fashion, and are an extremely useful styling device for adding texture or a pop of colour to a look. What you carry and where will often determine the style of bag. A canvas tote is a great everyday carry-all, for example, whereas a leather weekender is better suited to multi-day trips.

Either way, you want to prioritise materials and hardware to ensure your bag can not only withstand the rigours of travel but also develop a unique patina over time. Hence, leather and suede are always outstanding options, as they offer that textural contrast to wool or cotton clothing.

Key Picks

Handcrafted in Italy with obsessive detail, Métier’s nubuck ‘Nomad All Day’ weekend bag offers generous space for multi-day trips while remaining carry-on friendly. Exceptional materials and hardware promise a patina that improves with age.

Loewe’s supple suede bucket bag combines practicality with signature style: adjustable thick strap, movable ‘Anagram’-stamped pebble, and full-grain leather lining for durability. Spacious enough for daily essentials or bulkier items, it’s a wholesale upgrade for the everyday tote.

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Tailoring

Although menswear has become increasingly casual in the last decade, tailoring has continued to evolve, developing a more relaxed attitude.

Many careers still require one to wear a suit in the office, so sartorial one-upmanship hasn’t gone anywhere, but in more casual settings tailoring has become less structured and more relaxed, feeling more like an extension of one’s casual wardrobe than something separate and uniform.

When refreshing your 2026 wardrobe, you should prioritise tailoring that can be worn as both suits and separates to get the most bang for your buck. Navy and charcoal single-breasted jackets cut from merino wool are your go-to styles, but don’t be afraid to mix things up with a double-breasted option in brown or cream that you can pair with smart jeans and loafers.

Key Picks

Canali’s ‘Kei’ blazer in super 150s wool offers polished Italian refinement without restriction. Padded shoulders and satin lining meet an unstructured silhouette for a modern approach to tailoring. Wear it solo or as part of a suit; it brings effortless sophistication to both office and off-duty looks.

With a relaxed aesthetic thanks to its garment-dyed, worn-in charm, Mr P’s cotton-blend twill blazer comes as part of a suit but is also the perfect separate jacket for spring and autumn. Relaxed and unstructured for a natural drape, you can layer it over a striped rugby top with chinos and deck shoes for a slick, modern preppy look.

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