Nicky Haslam's 2026 Common List: Quails' Eggs and Diet Coke 2026

Nicky Haslam's 2026 common list has arrived, and it's sparking conversation by labeling quails' eggs, Diet Coke, and being thin as "common." The interior designer's annual tradition, now in its eighth year, puts his provocative take on modern life onto a tea towel priced at around £50.

This year's list also includes beards, the word "nuanced," and the phrase "no-brainer" (because, as Haslam reasons, you wouldn't call anything a "brainer"). It's a playful yet pointed commentary on class and taste that has evolved from a 2000s newspaper column into a sought-after household item.

What Is Nicky Haslam's Common List?

Nicky Haslam, a well-known figure in British high society, began his "common list" in the 2000s with a column in the Evening Standard called "How Common." The list catalogs things he considers "common"—a British term that traditionally implies lower-class taste or lack of refinement. However, Haslam's usage is deliberately ironic and slippery.

Each year, he updates the list with new entries that reflect current trends and behaviors. The 2026 edition includes items like quails' eggs, Diet Coke, and being thin. These are not necessarily things associated with the working class; in fact, many are markers of affluent lifestyles. That's part of the joke.

The Evolution from Column to Tea Towel

After his column ended, Haslam turned the list into a tea towel, which has become a collector's item. The £50 price tag itself is a statement—affordable only to those who can comfortably spend that on a kitchen accessory. The tea towel's success shows how a satirical take on class can become a commercial product, blurring the lines between critique and commodity.

Why Quails' Eggs and Diet Coke Make the List

The inclusion of quails' eggs and Diet Coke might seem random, but each item carries cultural baggage. Quails' eggs are often associated with upscale dining and dinner parties—a delicacy that signals sophistication. Diet Coke, on the other hand, is a mass-market beverage, but in certain circles, it's a diet staple associated with weight consciousness.

Being thin is also on the list, which is particularly provocative given that thinness is often idealized in high society. Haslam's point may be that the pursuit of thinness has become so ubiquitous and predictable that it's now "common" in the sense of being unoriginal. As he told the Times, "It's nothing to do with class. It's common in the sense of being universal."

The Contradiction of Universality

Haslam's claim that the list is about universality rather than class doesn't quite hold up. If it were purely about ubiquity, regular eggs would appear before quails' eggs, since they are far more common. The list is selective, targeting specific markers of taste and behavior that Haslam finds tiresome or overly trendy. It's a way of signaling distinction—by calling out what he sees as pretentious or overdone.

The Class War Behind the Joke

Haslam's list is a form of class warfare, albeit a playful one. By labeling certain things as "common," he positions himself as an arbiter of taste, someone who can see through the pretensions of others. Yet he denies any class motivation, insisting it's all in good fun. This denial is part of the joke: to take offense at being called "common" is itself common.

The foundational irony is that the list operates in a hall of mirrors where meaning collapses. If you object to any item, you're missing the joke. But if you don't object, you're implicitly accepting Haslam's judgment. It's a no-win situation that keeps the conversation going year after year.

Who Is Affected by the List?

Ultimately, the list affects anyone who cares about taste and social standing. It's a reminder that class distinctions are still alive in Britain, even if they're expressed through irony and humor. The £50 tea towel is a tangible symbol of this dynamic—a way to own a piece of the provocation, if you can afford it. The background to this story is set out in Working-Class Musicians Priced Out of Classical Music. A related thread runs through Charles Burnett on Chronicling Black Working-Class Life. Earlier coverage in Black Middle Class Britain: Time for a Rethink on Class and Race shows how the argument developed.

What to Watch Next

As Haslam's list continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see which new items make the cut. Will beards remain common in 2027? Will "nuanced" fall out of favor? The list is a barometer of cultural shifts, reflecting what Haslam and his followers find eye-rollingly ubiquitous. A closer look at the same subject appears in Celebrity: latest articles. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Blockhead Review: Novelist Embraces Inner Monster in Comic Thriller. The same theme surfaces in Bob Davenport: Folk Singer and British Folk Revival Icon Dies at 94, which takes a different angle.

For those who want to keep up with the conversation, the tea towel is available for purchase—though at £50, it's a purchase that might itself be considered common by some. The list's enduring appeal lies in its ability to provoke, amuse, and make us question our own tastes and assumptions. Context on how this played out before sits in Britten Serenade Review: Wilson Explores British String Music. A companion piece, Roy Moxham: Tea Planter Who Wrote The Great Hedge of India, approaches the same subject from another angle.