How To Take Inspiration From the Menswear Runways This Season
If anything, men's and women's fashion have become more communicative than ever. And the spring 2026 collections were filled with ultra-contemporary pieces that can be worn across any gender. At Saint Laurent, Anthony Vaccarello has found great success reinvigorating bold-shouldered suiting for women and electrifyingly editorial over-the-knee leather boots for men. At the men's show in Paris on Tuesday, Gabbriette, who attended as a guest, was the embodiment of the sultriness that the original le smoking evoked. These sartorial translations were also seen at Jonathan Anderson's highly anticipated debut at Dior last Friday—the iconic New Look and Delft dress were reinterpreted into subtly shaped structured jackets and voluminously pleated cargo shorts.
But the biggest current trend on the men's spring 2026 runway? Easy styling that combines a multitude of high-low elements, whether it be pairing a pajama short with a designer jacket or a casual shoe with a brocade blazer. The message was less about a single, unattainable piece of luxury and more so how to interpret this season's brighter and bolder color palette. 'We saw collections rooted in beauty, certainly, but also grounded in real clothes designed for real lives—pieces to covet, wear, and ultimately keep,' says Simon Longland, the fashion buying director at Harrods. Wales Bonner was a beautiful example of this, as designer Grace Wales Bonner unveiled her classic interpretation of that grounded-in-reality aesthetic. Track pants (also everywhere this season) were paired with beautifully cut jackets and sheer blouses tucked into low-slung baggy jeans, a styling mix representative of real life.
Thanks to freshly debuted designers like Julian Klausner at Dries Van Noten, who is beautifully honoring the legacy before him, prints (and clashing them) are coming back in newly exciting ways. Oversized silk scarves were tied like sarongs both over pants and bare legs. Junya Watanabe also played with the item, incorporating one into an asymmetrical draped blouse. This motif is something that can be immediately applied to any wardrobe as an exciting visual addition to simpler outfits. Plus, if you still have an Alexander McQueen skull scarf from back in the day, Charli XCX just wore one as a top during her performance at Glastonbury.
For more than a few designers, mid-calf socks were paired with penny loafers and teeny-tiny microshorts that sometimes bordered on bloomers, cementing a popular styling choice already seen on both men and women on the streets today. Same with barely-there minimalist flip-flops (which are really having a moment thanks to brands like The Row)—when styled with baggy jeans or oversized chinos, like at Ami Paris, the look becomes OG The O.C., perfect for the summer heat waves.
Prada, Dior, and Saint Laurent favored chunky color blocking that immediately brightened up the runways and nodded to prep's new-wave revival. Grass green, mustard yellow, navy blue, and burgundy were prominent across many of the collections. If previous seasons refrained from 'loud' dressing, all inhibitions in that regard have finally been shaken. Whether it be large stripes or huge swaths of interrupted color, vibrant hues—complemented by even brighter, oversized accessories—were the key to leaning into this aesthetic.
Even though September has yet to come, menswear has quickly become a mid-season mood board inspiration. Take it from the runway experts: boldly colored dressing, funky yet minimalist footwear, and casual styling are here to stay.
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Cosmopolitan
2 days ago
- Cosmopolitan
6 super easy styling hacks to borrow from Men's Fashion Week, from statement necklaces to slouchy socks
It's been a mega couple of weeks for men's fashion. And while having separate, designated gender-based fashion weeks seems like an archaic idea (especially when most designers now present co-ed collections, and all clothes are really unisex anyway) that doesn't mean inspiration isn't there for the taking. While the British Fashion Council announced it was cancelling the men's edition of London Fashion Week back in April, Martine Rose hosted a show in a disused Marylebone job centre and flew the flag for UK-based designers. Then it was Milan's turn, where Prada creative directors Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons invited guests to a cavernous warehouse, covered in giant, flower-shaped rugs. And finally, to Paris, where designer Jonathan Anderson presented his first and much-anticipated collection as creative director for the house of Dior. Celeb guests including Sabrina Carpenter (who unveiled a surprising new look), Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, Robert Pattinson and many more showed up and showed out for this major fashion milestone. Content creator and fashion commentator Lyas even hosted a viewing party for the show's livestream at a Parisian bar — our kind of Super Bowl tbh. While these were all Spring/Summer 2026 shows, you don't need to wait until next year to test out the trends. We've rounded up some easy styling tips lifted straight from the catwalks that you can use to update your wardrobe right now. One for all the cyclists out there! Tuck your trousers into thick sporty or slouchy socks to instantly give your outfit a fashion-forward feel — make sure they are a contrasting colour. Take inspiration from the likes of Dior, Willy Chavarria and Kiko Kostadinov, and finish off with a loafer or smart lace-up style shoe. This is really easy way to add interest to any outfit. Hermès opted for bright poppy colour neckerchiefs against neutral toned ensembles, Saint Laurent went for sheer shirts with matching neck-tie details, and almost every look at Dior featured a cravat or bow-tie in a fabrics ranging from denim to silk (bare chest optional). This probably isn't one for trying right now given the heatwave looks so good! Make sure to go for contrasting textures and colours, like Louis Vuitton which styled a blue crocodile skin hoodie with a buttoned-up denim workwear jacket. Junya Watanabe went down a similar route, with one look layering a short black leather jacket over a longer beige trench coat, and Craig Green clashed a green and yellow chore jacket underneath a voluminous parka. Why wear one jacket if you have two good ones? An oldie but a goodie styling hack, statement jewellery goes a long way. It was the turn of the necklace this season, with Jacquemus showcasing chunky gold styles alongside its monochromatic looks. Dries Van Noten took a more DIY approach, with models wearing giant seashells on knotted shoe laces about their necks. And Vivienne Westwood went all indie sleaze, with slogan necklaces reading 'Chaos' and 'Truth' in heavy gold letters. The menswear catwalks proved that the boxer-shorts-as-actual-shorts trend will continue well into next year. Martine Rose went for ultra-feminine, lace-trimmed versions, worn with heavy outerwear and sportswear for a contrasting clash. Saul Nash, who usually shows in London but has decamped to Milan, chose traditional checked styles. And finally, at Louis Vuitton, creative director Pharrell Williams put his own spin on the traditional blue-and-white striped boxer shorts, by covering them with embroidered zebras, rhinos and palm trees. Layering pieces are a quick and easy way to elevate your outfits — so it's time to welcome the humble turtleneck. Seen on almost every look at the Prada show, they add a pop of colour underneath jackets, shirts and even T-shirts. Saint Laurent took the base layer and made it front and centre, with mustard yellow and caramel styles tucked into pleated suit trousers. At Wales Bonner, they peeked out underneath workwear style jackets, polo shirts, and delicately beaded dresses. Rebecca Jane Hill is the Senior Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan UK. She has previously contributed to publications including Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar, Refinery29, The Face, Glamour and Stylist. She started her own magazine, Sister, in 2012 whilst at university. Focused around feminism, fashion and culture, it went on to produce 12 globally stocked print issues, as well as countless events and partnerships. She closed the magazine in 2023. Rebecca has been an associate lecturer at London College of Fashion since 2018, where she teaches on the Fashion Journalism course. She is a passionate second-hand shopper and is constantly on the lookout for new design talent.
Elle
3 days ago
- Elle
How To Take Inspiration From the Menswear Runways This Season
Once a shyer younger sibling to its glamorous September counterpart, men's fashion week has increasingly become a moment to watch. In recent years, women-led menswear labels—including Wales Bonner, Martine Rose, Bianca Saunders, and Bode—have increasingly set the tone for a new wave of masculine dressing. Before his departure from Gucci, Sabato De Sarno often showed complementary looks between each category. Not to mention Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons's continued co-creative directorial collaboration at Prada, which has made both the men's and women's shows equally compelling events to watch. If anything, men's and women's fashion have become more communicative than ever. And the spring 2026 collections were filled with ultra-contemporary pieces that can be worn across any gender. At Saint Laurent, Anthony Vaccarello has found great success reinvigorating bold-shouldered suiting for women and electrifyingly editorial over-the-knee leather boots for men. At the men's show in Paris on Tuesday, Gabbriette, who attended as a guest, was the embodiment of the sultriness that the original le smoking evoked. These sartorial translations were also seen at Jonathan Anderson's highly anticipated debut at Dior last Friday—the iconic New Look and Delft dress were reinterpreted into subtly shaped structured jackets and voluminously pleated cargo shorts. But the biggest current trend on the men's spring 2026 runway? Easy styling that combines a multitude of high-low elements, whether it be pairing a pajama short with a designer jacket or a casual shoe with a brocade blazer. The message was less about a single, unattainable piece of luxury and more so how to interpret this season's brighter and bolder color palette. 'We saw collections rooted in beauty, certainly, but also grounded in real clothes designed for real lives—pieces to covet, wear, and ultimately keep,' says Simon Longland, the fashion buying director at Harrods. Wales Bonner was a beautiful example of this, as designer Grace Wales Bonner unveiled her classic interpretation of that grounded-in-reality aesthetic. Track pants (also everywhere this season) were paired with beautifully cut jackets and sheer blouses tucked into low-slung baggy jeans, a styling mix representative of real life. Thanks to freshly debuted designers like Julian Klausner at Dries Van Noten, who is beautifully honoring the legacy before him, prints (and clashing them) are coming back in newly exciting ways. Oversized silk scarves were tied like sarongs both over pants and bare legs. Junya Watanabe also played with the item, incorporating one into an asymmetrical draped blouse. This motif is something that can be immediately applied to any wardrobe as an exciting visual addition to simpler outfits. Plus, if you still have an Alexander McQueen skull scarf from back in the day, Charli XCX just wore one as a top during her performance at Glastonbury. For more than a few designers, mid-calf socks were paired with penny loafers and teeny-tiny microshorts that sometimes bordered on bloomers, cementing a popular styling choice already seen on both men and women on the streets today. Same with barely-there minimalist flip-flops (which are really having a moment thanks to brands like The Row)—when styled with baggy jeans or oversized chinos, like at Ami Paris, the look becomes OG The O.C., perfect for the summer heat waves. Prada, Dior, and Saint Laurent favored chunky color blocking that immediately brightened up the runways and nodded to prep's new-wave revival. Grass green, mustard yellow, navy blue, and burgundy were prominent across many of the collections. If previous seasons refrained from 'loud' dressing, all inhibitions in that regard have finally been shaken. Whether it be large stripes or huge swaths of interrupted color, vibrant hues—complemented by even brighter, oversized accessories—were the key to leaning into this aesthetic. Even though September has yet to come, menswear has quickly become a mid-season mood board inspiration. Take it from the runway experts: boldly colored dressing, funky yet minimalist footwear, and casual styling are here to stay.
Hypebeast
5 days ago
- Hypebeast
Jonathan Anderson Is Ready to Recode the House of Dior With His Debut SS26 Men's Collection
Summary It was a breath of fresh air atDior. Ringing in a new era withJonathan Andersonat the helm of Dior, the luxury fashion label debuted a new vision under the designer with itsSpring/Summer 2026menswear collection. Showing atParis Fashion Week, Anderson began his new role at Dior with the reveal of a new but old logo change. Speaking toVogue Business, the designer commented on the importance of drawing inspiration from Dior's heritage. Anderson revealed that he first began with the Dior branding label, reaching back into the house's archives to refine the block letter aesthetic. Refining the text, he brings the old with the new, as the Irish designer attempts to rebuild the house. Expectations were high for Anderson's menswear collection as it set the tone for the future of the house of Dior. An event poised to redefine the codes of the venerable Parisian house, the industry is keenly watching how his unique blend of conceptual artistry and modern craftsmanship will intersect with Dior's storied legacy of elegance and precise tailoring. His debut collection is a play on history and affluence, as he decodes the language of the house before he attempts to recode it. While the show had a miles long attendance of A-listers, the set was a nod to the importance of art. In a room modeled to mirror the velvet-lined interiors of Berlin's Gemäldegalerie, featuring two beautiful paintings by Jean Siméon Chardin (1699-1779). An understated commentary on creating art o display, the museum room setting fuels a sense of liberation and joyfulness amongst masterpieces. Joy is brought from the art of dressing. As the collection unfolds, all eyes are on how Anderson navigates Dior's foundational principles—the New Look silhouette, the exacting tailoring, the subtle luxury—through his distinctive lens. Will we see his characteristic play with proportion and volume? How will his love for tactile, artful textures manifest within Dior's sophisticated fabrics? His past work often subverts expectations, offering garments that are both familiar and entirely novel. For Dior Men SS26, expect a collection that dialogues with history while speaking a distinctly contemporary language, setting a compelling new direction for the brand's future. Anderson reimagines the Bar Jacket in an an Irish Donegal tweed—a nod to his own heritage. A common theme in the collection saw the designer deconstruct formality, with ties worn backwards and cape-like overcoats paired with short trousers and sporty tube socks. Tuxedo shirts and waistcoats were paired with denim, with some even with silk evening scarves. Historical references are given a contemporary twist, bringing 18th and 19th-century French menswear a modern silhouette. Even accessories spoke volumes: the Dior Book Tote received a masculine makeover, featuring literary covers like Charles Baudelaire'sLes Fleurs du Maland Truman Capote'sIn Cold Blood. Smart pastel knits, round-toed CD loafers, suede logo-emblazoned slippers, and elegant sandals showcased a readiness for the market.
