Outerwear designers for the autumn-winter 2026/27 season are prioritizing textured materials and clean, concise cuts while moving away from excessive decoration. The new collections feature versatile silhouettes crafted to combine easily with varied wardrobe styles across formal and casual wear.
Clothing designer Alexey Smirnov, founder and head of an art workshop, told Lenta.ru that jacket designs are increasingly unisex. He explained that a single silhouette can look equally natural on both men and women when styled properly with appropriate accessories.
Smirnov said fashion houses are emphasizing functionality and comfort without giving up aesthetic appeal. Rather than loud ornamentation or complex structures, runways are showcasing clean cuts made from dense cotton, waxed fabric, leather and suede.
Deep natural shades serve as the core palette for the season, according to Smirnov. He highlighted rich cherry, wine, chocolate, milk, olive and complex green tones as foundational colors for autumn dressing.
Leather jackets and structural bombers
Leather remains a primary material for the autumn-winter 2026/27 season. Instead of smooth, stiff finishes, designers are choosing expressive textures, including vintage distressed effects that give garments a worn look.
Fashion labels such as Sportmax, Roberto Cavalli, Tom Ford and Khaite are presenting a wide range of leather options. Their collections span from structured blazers to oversized silhouettes. Bombers, high-waisted designs and high collars stand out in leather finishes, with trending colors focused on deep brown tones and classic black.
The classic bomber jacket, a style originally created for flight crews, is seeing a resurgence for autumn 2026 through more intricate shapes. Designers have reinterpreted the traditional silhouette into sculptural, voluminous garments suitable for layered outfits.
Rather than staying restricted to sport-chic attire, bombers now span basic to refined designs. British luxury fashion house Burberry showcased a cropped bomber jacket with sharp lines in its autumn-winter 2026/27 collection, designed to transition between everyday wear and formal wardrobes.
High-waisted leather jackets reflect a shift away from oversized fits toward more feminine, structured outerwear silhouettes.
These garments support diverse styling options. Italian fashion brand Miu Miu presented high-waisted jackets paired with low-rise trousers on the runway. Alternatively, the cut pairs easily with high-waisted items such as straight wide-leg jeans or midi skirts.
Funnel necks, suede and cropped cuts
High stand collars, also known as funnel necks, represent one of the most prominent autumn details. Funnel necks feature a high cylindrical collar that stands straight up to cover the throat. The detail was featured in the latest collection from Balenciaga, the Spanish luxury house. The design offers wind protection for the neck to replace a scarf while creating a clean, modern silhouette. Exaggerated, oversized collars are particularly prominent for the season.
Suede has re-emerged as a major material for outerwear alongside footwear and bags, offering a softer and more tactile appearance than smooth leather. Soft suede appears in tobacco, rust, chocolate and graphite shades.
American fashion house Coach demonstrated styling contrasts in its autumn-winter 2026/27 show by pairing a dark suede jacket with a bright skirt and sneakers. Suede jackets also pair effectively with simple straight jeans, sneakers or silk skirts for warm autumn days.
Cropped mini-jackets highlight a move away from oversized shapes toward fitted, streamlined cuts. American fashion brand Tommy Hilfiger introduced this silhouette in its latest collection, featuring jackets without shoulder pads or extra bulk.
Shortened hussar-style jackets with defined waists, inspired by traditional military uniforms, are notably popular. Designers recommend pairing them with high-waisted garments such as wide trousers, midi skirts or jeans to create stylistic contrasts.
Capes, quilted shirts and utility wear
Cape jackets provide a classic, elegant option for layered dressing. Designed without sleeves, the wrap-style garment allows thin sweaters, shirts or blazers to be worn underneath without sleeves bunching up into an accordion shape.
Because the cape acts as a focal piece, designers advise pairing it with quiet lower garments like straight jeans or column skirts. Capes range from heavy wool fabrics to lighter materials like heavy cotton, with French fashion house Chloé introducing a longer boho-style coat version in its new collection.
Quilted shirt-jackets offer a versatile, lightweight option for prooximate cold weather layering. Available from retailers such as Japanese brand Uniqlo, options include standard cotton or canvas as well as dressier versions with patterned quilting. These jackets pair effortlessly with jeans.
Workwear-inspired utility jackets feature prominently with multiple pockets, flaps and press studs. Models range from heavy cotton or raincoat fabric with water-repellent coatings by Tom Tailor to refined leather and suede versions by Stone Island, the Italian outerwear brand known for functional design.
Parkas, aviators, shearling coats and anoraks
Parkas are returning as a core outerwear piece. Miu Miu introduced fur-trimmed parkas in its autumn-winter 2026/27 collection, while French luxury house Louis Vuitton presented a red cotton parka featuring a sheepskin collar and contrasting quilted lining.
Runway styling includes pairing parkas with black matte leggings, as seen at Balenciaga and Alaïa, or over satin slip dresses, reflecting layering methods used by Isabel Marant and Saint Laurent for leather jackets and bombers.
Aviator jackets retain their traditional pilot-inspired elements, including short cuts, wide stand collars for wind protection, and contrasting sheepskin or faux fur trim. Sheepskin is a dominant seasonal material across full fur garments, collars and linings.
At Copenhagen Fashion Week, Scandinavia's principal fashion event, Danish brand Baum und Pferdgarten dedicated its Airborne collection to Amelia Earhart, the pioneering American aviator who became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. The brand presented a chocolate-brown leather aviator jacket paired with matching loose leather trousers. For daily wear, aviator jackets can be styled with business trouser suits, casual jeans, or delicate silk dresses.
Shearling coats, known in Eastern Europe as dublenka, are crafted from processed sheepskin with the wool left intact on the interior, making them ideal for late autumn weather. Italian fashion house Prada introduced double-breasted traditional sheepskin coats with classic lapels and rear vents alongside softer, voluminous models with contrasting collars. Burberry presented shearling coats with tassels and raw edges worn over patent leather and silk evening dresses. Coach showcased shearling paired with organza dresses, hoodies and biker boots, as well as tailored trousers and heavy boots.
Sporty pull-over anoraks with hoods and drawstrings at the waist or hem round out the seasonal offerings. Brands like Danish designer Cecilie Bahnsen styled anoraks with silk dresses, lace-trimmed skirts, straight trousers and pencil skirts.
