Are Bodywarmers Still in Style in 2026?

Yes. Bodywarmers are absolutely still in style in 2026 — and for good reason. They've stopped being a trend and become something more reliable: a layering essential that works precisely because it doesn't try to be everything at once.

If anything, the bodywarmer has become more relevant this year, not less. Here's why.

Why the Bodywarmer Keeps Coming Back

Layering for Unpredictable European Weather

Anyone who has spent a spring or autumn in the Netherlands knows the problem. The morning is cold enough for a coat. By noon, you don't want one. By 4pm, you need it again.

A bodywarmer solves this in a way a jacket can't. It adds core warmth — the warmth that actually matters — without restricting your arms or adding bulk to your sleeves. You can layer it over a shirt or knit and still move freely. You can add or remove it in seconds without disrupting the whole outfit.

For practical dressing in a northern European climate, nothing does this job as efficiently.

The Minimalist Fashion Movement

Menswear in Europe has been moving deliberately towards restraint. Fewer pieces, chosen with more care. Less noise, more considered layering. The bodywarmer fits this direction perfectly — it's a clean, contained piece that adds visual interest through shape rather than decoration.

The best bodywarmers this year are the ones that don't announce themselves. Minimal stitching, clean fronts, understated hardware. The silhouette carries the look.

Practical vs Decorative Outerwear

The shift in menswear has also been away from outerwear that performs aesthetically but fails practically. Men are increasingly choosing pieces that justify their place in the wardrobe through use, not appearance alone.

A bodywarmer earns its place by being worn constantly — thrown over a knit on the way to work, taken off and folded over a chair at the office, pulled on again for the commute home. It's an outerwear piece built around actual life, not a photoshoot.

How to Style a Bodywarmer in 2026

Casual Everyday Outfit

The easiest combination: a bodywarmer over a plain crewneck or lightweight hoodie, with straight-leg jeans and clean trainers. The bodywarmer adds structure and warmth without making the outfit feel heavy. Keep everything in the same colour family for a clean, put-together look.

Colours that work best for everyday wear: navy, olive, slate grey, and stone. These sit naturally alongside most wardrobe staples and don't compete with the pieces underneath.

Smart Casual Layering

A bodywarmer can work in a smarter context too — and this is where the modern version has moved beyond its outdoor origins. Worn over a structured shirt or a fine-knit merino layer, in a minimal colour, it reads as deliberate and contemporary.

The key is fit. A smart casual bodywarmer should sit cleanly across the chest and taper slightly at the waist. Avoid anything too padded or technical-looking in this context — the silhouette should be clean and the volume controlled.

Pair with tailored trousers and leather boots or smart shoes for an outfit that moves between working day and after-work drinks without needing a change.

Bodywarmer vs Jacket: When to Choose Which

The honest answer is that they serve different needs, and the best menswear wardrobe has room for both. If you're choosing between them for a single purchase, consider how you'll most often wear it. Regular commuting with temperature changes? Bodywarmer. A single outerwear piece for cooler weather? Jacket.

What to Look for in a Quality Bodywarmer

The right bodywarmer should feel light and sit cleanly against the body without restriction. A few things worth checking:

•       Fit through the shoulders and chest — it should layer comfortably over a knit without pulling

•       Fill quality — down or a premium synthetic fill that provides warmth without excessive bulk

•       Minimal baffling on the front panel — heavy quilting adds visual noise; cleaner lines read better

•       Interior pockets — practical, and worth having if you want to wear it as a standalone layer

Pirloni bodywarmers are built with these principles in mind — Mediterranean simplicity applied to a piece that earns its place through daily use.

Explore the Pirloni bodywarmer collection — practical layering, no compromises.