Style guru Nicky Haslam has released his annual 'Common List' for 2026, adding beards, Diet Coke, and 'being thin' to his curated collection of what he deems unfashionable or undesirable.
The 87-year-old socialite and interior designer, who has been issuing such declarations for nearly 30 years, also included quails' eggs on this year's list, a point of surprise given their availability in higher-end supermarkets. Other additions include the terms 'nuanced' and 'no-brainer,' and the word 'foodstuffs.'
Haslam, who has been documenting his judgments on tea towels since 2018, also stated that the Hay Festival, a literary event, is 'common in its entirety.' He further criticized people who 'want to show photos on their phone... then can't find them,' birthday cakes for those over 14, 'frills on cushions downstairs,' and folding-in wing mirrors.
The list also touches on cultural references, noting 'Still finding The Goons funny' as common, a sentiment that could be interpreted as a jab at King Charles, a known fan of the 1950s radio show. Haslam, however, maintains that his lists are not meant to be taken too seriously and are based on taste rather than class.
Despite his assertions of not being snobbish, Haslam noted that he would never redecorate for David and Victoria Beckham. He also commented on Prince William and Prince Harry sporting beards, and referenced a ban on beards in the US Armed Forces.
Haslam's 'Common List' tea towel, featuring his latest pronouncements, is available for purchase on his website for £60 and includes a CD from Haslam himself. The designer, whose social circle includes royalty and prominent figures, first gained wider public attention in 1999 for declaring 'jet lag' and 'being ill' as common.