Universal Works returns to Unit 17 for Autumn/Winter 2026.
The latest delivery has now reached our Cardiff store, with the collection launching online and in-store at the end of this month. It brings together the kind of clothing the Nottingham label does best: practical shapes, distinctive fabrics and versatile layers designed to be worn throughout the colder months.
For anyone discovering the brand for the first time, this is the story behind Universal Works and a closer look at what is arriving at Unit 17.
Who are Universal Works?
Universal Works launched its first collection in 2009. Co-founder and designer David Keyte began working from his kitchen table after spending decades in the British clothing industry, including time with Paul Smith and Maharishi.
The brand takes much of its character from Keyte’s upbringing in the Midlands. He watched his father and uncles wear functional workwear during the week before dressing more sharply at weekends. That combination of utility, comfort and personal style still runs through Universal Works today.
Work jackets, military clothing, sportswear and traditional tailoring all appear in the mix, but the results never feel like reproductions. Familiar garments are reconsidered through fabric, fit and practical details to make them work in a modern wardrobe.
The aim is not to chase trends or overcomplicate clothing. Universal Works focuses on honest garments with a clear purpose, made to be comfortable, useful and easy to combine with the clothes you already own.
Small-scale production and trusted makers
Universal Works champions skilled, small-scale production, working with trusted manufacturers in the UK and overseas.
The brand chooses where each garment is produced according to the fabric, construction and specialist knowledge required. Several pieces from the new Unit 17 delivery have been made in Portugal, where Universal Works has established relationships with experienced manufacturers.
This approach can be seen in the details. Bound edges, carefully positioned pockets, substantial buttons and two-way zips all serve a practical purpose while giving the clothing its recognisable finish.
Why Universal Works works at Unit 17
Universal Works has long fitted naturally alongside the brands found at Unit 17.
Like Carhartt WIP, Hiut Denim and Service Works, it draws inspiration from clothing originally made for work. Universal Works takes those practical foundations in its own direction, mixing them with British tailoring, military references, outdoor clothing and relaxed sportswear.
A cardigan can offer the practicality of a work jacket. A waistcoat can sit somewhere between outdoor equipment and everyday menswear. A collared jacket can feel relaxed enough for daily wear while still looking considered.
These are garments that make more sense when you handle them. The silhouettes may be familiar, but the texture, construction and finishing give each piece its own character.
That is especially clear in the latest Autumn/Winter delivery.
A first look at Autumn/Winter 2026
One of the standout pieces is a deep green button-through layer made from textured wool fleece. Its curved neckline, patch pockets and neatly bound edges place it somewhere between a cardigan and a lightweight work jacket.
It can be worn over a T-shirt or shirt during early autumn, then used as a warmer middle layer once the temperature drops. The dark green works easily with denim, navy trousers, ecru cotton or military-inspired fatigues.
The zip waistcoat takes a similarly practical approach in a mottled brown and stone fabric. Its sleeveless construction adds warmth without unnecessary bulk through the arms, making it easy to wear over a sweatshirt, overshirt or knit. Multiple patch pockets provide useful storage without making the garment feel overly technical.
Another piece from the delivery uses a textured mixture of olive, ochre and stone. Seen closely, the depth and variation in the fabric become the main feature. It is the sort of material that looks slightly different depending on the light and the colours worn around it.
Together, these pieces offer a strong introduction to the Universal Works approach. They are comfortable and practical enough to wear regularly, but each contains details that become more apparent the longer you own it.
Why Universal Works wool fleece stands out
Wool fleece has become one of the fabrics most closely associated with Universal Works.
It offers warmth without the weight of a heavy knitted jumper and has enough structure to hold the shape of cardigans, jackets and waistcoats. Its textured surface also gives plain and muted colours considerably more depth than a conventional sweatshirt fabric.
Universal Works returns to wool fleece across different collections because it works particularly well for layering. It can be worn as outerwear during transitional weather or placed beneath a heavier coat through winter.
The brand changes the colours, textures and garment shapes from season to season, but the principle remains consistent: comfortable clothing that adapts to how people actually dress.
How does Universal Works fit?
There is no single fit across the entire Universal Works range.
Some jackets and overshirts are deliberately relaxed to leave room for layering, while other pieces have a neater and more structured shape. Your usual size is generally the best starting point, but the intended cut and how you plan to wear the garment should also be considered.
Someone wearing a cardigan over a T-shirt may prefer a closer fit, while someone planning to use it as a jacket over heavier layers may want more room.
We will include measurements and fit guidance on the individual product pages when the collection launches. You can also visit Unit 17 in Cardiff to try the pieces on, compare sizes and get advice on how each garment is intended to fit.
Universal Works Autumn/Winter 2026 at Unit 17 Cardiff
The new Universal Works collection launches online and in-store at Unit 17 on the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Shop the collection online from launch day or visit us at 12 Morgan Arcade, Cardiff, to see the fabrics, colours and fits in person.
If you are choosing between sizes or want advice on how to wear a particular piece, speak to Sean in store and he will help you find the right fit.
