The Secret To Autumn Winter 2026 Style? Dressing Like The Best-Read Person In The Room

There’s a new kind of status signalling in town. That’s right: looking like you live with your head in a book.

The last few years have seen bags disguised as books, and more recently that’s expanded into entire outfits. 

Earlier this year, Vogue declared “literary chic was the new prep”, with editor Minty Mellon noting “the spring 2026 runways swapped country codes for literary references, grounding the collections with intellectual flair”.

The trend’s showing no sign of slowing. Looking bookish is indisputably in – from chic glasses, to checked kilts, big chunky sweaters, and even the odd blazer – the look gives the vibe you’ve been cooped up in a library for months and are only just coming up for air.

If you want to look like the best-read person in any room, here’s what to shop this autumn.