Embrace the indie sleaze of the 2010s, starting with these Napoleon jackets

Fashion’s obsession cycle has always favoured pieces that feel referential and rebellious, and the Napoleon jacket is having precisely that moment. Rooted in military tailoring yet softened by Eastern influences, the silhouette sits at the cusp of structure and ease. While indie sleaze nostalgia has brought back skinny scarves, leather jackets, and chaotic layering, it’s this sharply cut, buttoned-up jacket that feels like the unexpected hero of the revival. It taps into fashion’s growing appetite for garments that carry history, symbolism, and a commanding presence. Adding fuel to the resurgence, celebrities like Dua Lipa have been spotted leaning into the silhouette, styling the jacket with an off-duty ease that makes it feel less like a costume and more like a piece I am dying to purchase!  

Much of the renewed fixation can be traced back to a moment the internet couldn’t look away from: Adidas’ Tang-style jacket, released as part of its limited-edition Lunar New Year capsule. Available exclusively across select Asian markets, including China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, the jacket blended traditional Chinese design codes with sportswear credibility. Its structured silhouette, stand collar, and knot-style fastenings struck a nerve instantly, proving that cultural specificity paired with today's styling has undeniable global fanfare. 

Here are some of the coolest Napoleon jackets you should buy.

Shanghai Tang Velvet Ribbed Mandarin-Collar Jacket, ₹1,29,056 approx. 
 

Arohi Noir Mandarin Jacket, ₹24,975

Adidas Ctt Chinese Track Top 3.1 Gender Neutral Jacket Collegiate Burgundy, ₹22,199

Shiatzy Chen Libre Collection Mandarin Collar Cotton Jacket, ₹4,01,903 approx.
 

Free People x REVOLVE Tsarina Jacket, ₹25,999

LIONESS Luminous Jacket, ₹13,120
 

Cord Kiera Shacket Black Cat Applique, ₹11,200

AK-OK Black Mandarin Collar Blended Designer Jacket, ₹26,350

What makes the Napoleon jacket’s return so compelling is how seamlessly it moves between worlds. Luxury labels like Amsterdam-based Róhe have leaned into the silhouette with refined interpretations, swapping conventional buttons for traditional pankou closures and elevating the jacket into something quietly powerful. As fashion continues to look to archives for inspiration and pop culture for attitude, the Napoleon jacket stands out as more than a fleeting obsession.

Lead image: Getty

Also read: The Devil wears Dolce & Gabanna, Balenciaga, and Chanel

Also read: Inside Jaipur’s 'PDKF Artisan Collective' and the women rewriting craft