Literary chic emerged in 2026 to describe dressing stylishly with an intellectual flair. Office-wear, preppy dressing, and the figure of the librarian all feed into it. Pencil skirts cover the bottoms. Crisp button downs go above them. Blazers and cardigans layer over the top. Oversized sunglasses and loosened neckties finish it, with pops of color set against an otherwise neutral palette.