British Heritage Fashion: Refreshing Your Retro Style For 2026

If you've kept a keen eye on the high street lately, you know the score. Fashion goes in circles, but true style stays put. We're off into 2026 now, and while the trends out there are changing faster than the British weather, the appetite for proper, authentic gear hasn't gone anywhere. In fact, it's stronger than ever.

And it isn't about dressing up like an extra from a film set. It's about taking the best elements of British heritage and making yourself look dapper.

Here's how to take the staples: the jackets, the knits, the shirts, and the accessories, and sharpen them up for 2026.

Classic Vintage Jackets

The jacket is the first thing people see, so you cannot get it wrong. For decades, the Harrington and the bomber have been the heavy hitters of the subculture. That hasn't changed, but the way we wear them has.

The Harrington is still the governor of casual jackets. In 2026, we’re seeing a move away from wearing them strictly with polo shirts. Try pairing a classic bottle  green Harrington with a heavier knit underneath. The key is the fit. It needs to sit right on the waistline. Relco cuts them true to the original sixties spec, which means you get that proper silhouette that creates a broad shoulder and a narrow waist.

Then there's the bomber jacket. The MA-1 style has moved beyond the skinhead uniform and become a staple of British menswear. Perfect for handling the winter and milder spring-summer evenings. 

Retro Knitwear for Men

Knitwear is the unsung hero of the mod wardrobe. It's what ties the whole look together, bridging the gap between smart and casual. This year, it's all about the gauge and the weave.

The rollneck is your best mate when the temperature drops. A black, mustard or burgundy rollneck worn under a wool overcoat could easily become your signature.

For something less formal, the knitted polo shirt is having a massive moment at the minute. This isn't your standard, everyday polo. We're talking about soft, textured knits with vertical stripes or cable patterns. Throw a Harrington over the top, and you have got a look that works for literally any occasion.

Bold Patterns, Proper Collars

A mod is nothing without a decent shirt collection. White and blue are fine for the 9-to-5, but the subculture has always been about the weekend. It is about peacocking.

This year, bold prints are back in a big way. We are steering clear of timid micro-prints and going for confident, loud designs. Relco's paisley shirts are the benchmark here. Whether it is a deep red or a vibrant blue, a paisley shirt adds a psychedelic touch that nods to the late sixties.

The trick to wearing bold patterns in 2026 is to keep the rest of the outfit simple. If you're wearing a loud paisley shirt, pair it with solid, dark trousers and a plain jacket. Let the shirt do the work for you. If you lean more towards the skinhead fashion style side of things, checks are non-negotiable.

And remember the golden rule: if you're wearing a jumper, keep the collar points tucked in. If you are wearing just the shirt, roll the sleeves to the elbow precisely. Sloppy sleeves ruin a dapper look.

The Details: Bracers And Trousers

You can spend a fortune on jackets and shirts, but if your bottom half is messy, you’ve gone and wasted your money. The silhouette starts from the ground up.

Sta-Prest trousers are the backbone of the look. They're durable, they stay sharp, and they don't look like tracksuit bottoms. Relco London's Sta-Prest trousers are the business because they hold that crease like nothing else. In 2026, the fit is slim but not skinny. You want room to move, but a clean line down the leg. The two-tone tonic fabric catches the light and adds a bit of depth to your outfit that flat cotton just can't match.

And let's talk about accessories: Braces. The skinny half-inch brace is the authentic choice. Here is the update for 2026: coordinate, don't just contrast. If your shirt has a red check, go for red braces. It pulls the outfit together and shows attention to detail.

Keeping it Authentic

The beauty of this style is that it doesn't need to be reinvented every six months. You just need to refine it. It's all about respecting the roots while avoiding a caricature.

By sticking to the staples like proper Relco London outerwear, textured knits, bold shirts, and razor-sharp trousers, you're investing in British style at its best: practical, smart, and ready for anything, whether you're heading to a gig, the football, or just down the local.

Explore Relco’s retro-inspired range and gear up for 2026 with some serious clobber!