These 6 Trouser Trends Are Coming For Your Autumn Wardrobe

14th Sep 2026

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In the years following the pandemic, the world of comfort-centric design exploded within the high-fashion market, with everything from orthopaedic shoes and practical gorpcore jackets to fashionified sportswear claiming the trend spotlight. The trouser category was, naturally, not immune to this new brand of cosycore, and we saw stretchy waistbands and roomy utility silhouettes holding court in the collections of even the most elevated designer brands. You know when The Row embraces a tracksuit (albeit in cashmere) that luxury is starting to look a little different.

As for those who live by the Karl Lagerfeld mantra that “sweatpants are a sign of defeat”, you’ll be happy to know that polish is making a return to our trouser choices, too. Of course, we can’t ignore the lasting ripple effects of quiet luxury on the fashion landscape, and Pantone’s colour of 2026, Cloud Dancer – which has remained a key colourway for this season’s trousers – certainly has undertones of “I only travel in town cars” about it. From Louis Vuitton’s pristine, slim-cut tailored trousers and Victoria Beckham’s wide-legged satin offering, to Zimmermann’s slouchy front-pleated slacks and Lacoste’s winter-white take on tennis dressing, expect to see this unashamedly high-maintenance hue proliferate for the rest of the year. Our top tip? Invest in stain remover.

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For something slightly more hard-wearing and designed for outdoor pursuits, checked trousers have also emerged as a key player in the autumn/winter 2026 wardrobe. At Dior, checks were layered against one another for a deliberately mismatched effect; at Dries Van Noten, bold-coloured iterations were tucked into knee-high leather boots; while Acne Studios kept things more restrained with slim-cut, high-rise styles. Whether you favour a traditional Prince of Wales check or something with a little more visual noise, this is one way to make a pair of tailored trousers feel considerably less corporate.

Classic grey wool trousers, meanwhile, were a standout on the runways, with Chanel, Bottega Veneta, Missoni and Simone Rocha all putting their own spin on the perennial tailored staple. There’s something reassuringly grown-up about a pair of grey trousers; they work with almost everything already hanging in your wardrobe and, unlike their Cloud Dancer counterparts, won’t have you scanning the dinner menu for the least spill-prone option. Wear them with a white shirt and loafers for a classic approach, or throw them under an oversized knit or leather jacket to take some of the formality down a notch.

But for those who still crave the comfort of their stealth-wealth joggers, fear not, because 2026 has delivered trouser silhouettes that you’ll want to throw on even on the darkest winter mornings. Enter: the equestrian trouser, aka the jodhpur, aka your excuse to wear leggings to work. Championed by the likes of Acne Studios and Mugler, this streamlined look could not be further from the sporty silhouettes of 2025 (whatever you do, don’t call it “athleisure”) – instead, it’s all about minimalist pairings worthy of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Take your cues from the runway and pair heavy-duty leggings – flimsy gym styles are a no-go – or slim-fit trousers with oversized outerwear or tailoring and kitten heels.

Other highlights include buttery leathers in classic black, cherry red and midnight blue spotted at Burberry and Isabel Marant, as well as slightly barrel-leg flight pants fitted with poppers, zips and oversized pockets at Stella McCartney and Chloé. In other words, there‘s a trouser persona for every occasion.

Scroll down to see and shop e’s round-up of the key trouser trends to know – and buy – for autumn 2026.