Throwing on a bold layering piece is, often, all it takes to make a good outfit great and the timely resurgence of the Napoleon jacket — complete with epaulettes and columns of oversized buttons — among popular trends for 2026 just confirms it.
Despite the summer season still underway, I can’t help but notice the faint chill in the air when the sun goes down, which means colder weather is right around the corner and it’s time to start thinking about fall and winter wardrobes. If you’re like me, and prefer to keep your daily uniform easy yet elevated (think, some iteration of denim and a plain tee), then introducing something a little more festive into the mix as the temperature drops can make all the difference, especially when you want a little more flair.
Of course, the military jacket is nothing new and has been through its fair share of trend cycles, coming out on the other end more powerful than before. Named after 19th-century French military leader Napoleon Bonaparte, the cropped uniform silhouette has since been adopted by the style set, with Yves Saint Laurent leading the way in the late 1960s. By the ’90s, Jean Paul Gaultier and Thierry Mugler were among some of the big names to put their own spin on the look.
Cultural icons like Michael Jackson and supermodel Kate Moss also began to embrace the trend, with the former making it an integral part of his stage presence. This only further cemented the jacket’s status within the fashion industry. Today, it’s defined by a strongly defined shoulder, navy, gold, white, and red color combos, and, of course, round embossed buttons (functional or not).
Aside from the likes of Alexander McQueen and Ann Demeulemeester, who have been designing Napoleon jackets for decades, the last few seasons have seen a noticeable influx of brands, big and small, who are influenced by military uniforms. According to fashion psychologist Shakaila Forbes-Bell, this is always a sign of the times, as well as the industry’s current obsession with the indie sleaze aesthetic. “People like to use their style as a way to reflect the current cultural zeitgeist,” she previously told Refinery29. “[Shoppers are] dressing in styles that are a bit more utilitarian and pragmatic.”
Back in February, I sat front row as Cinq à Sept debuted a fitted denim Napoleon jacket, paired with a pussy-bow blouse on its Fall 2026 runway in NYC. While later in the season, R13 offered a super wearable take on the trend in longline and oversized silhouettes emblazoned with the same large, round buttons you’d expect on more traditional styles. Meanwhile, cool-girl brand EB Denim’s “Ford” Jacket feels like a more posh, updated version that has the same versatility as a classic black blazer.
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When it comes to embracing the look IRL, the key is to keep it super simple and straightforward, slipping it over generally unfussy ensembles to let the military-inspired details do all of the talking. I paired the vintage, Ralph Lauren version that I found on Poshmark with dark-wash flared jeans and a Tabi ballet flat for a family dinner, like it was 2006.
Dua Lipa tends to take a more casual approach, wearing bright red and navy cropped styles by Ann Demeulemeester with denim and white T-shirts. Blackpink’s Jennie wore a custom Napoleon jacket by the brand for Lollapalooza in August, opting for a leather triangle bikini top underneath. Whereas, Brother Vellies creative director and founder of the 15 Percent Pledge, Aurora James took a more playful approach, styling her navy blue Napoleon-inspired Chanel Spring 2009 jacket with bloomer pants and mules—before ultimately slipping it over the classic white tee and denim combo, to show the secondhand style’s range.
Whether you opt for an affordable Napoleon jacket for everyday wear or are looking to invest in a luxury piece for your personal archive, there are a bunch of different styles available on the market to choose from, many of which will make even the simplest of ensembles that much more interesting. The endless styling options are just the icing on the proverbial cake.
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