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If you subscribe to Mark Twain’s belief that “clothes make the man,” the Men’s Spring 2026 runways asked: which man, and whose money? Across Paris and Milan, this season designers turned their attention to the aesthetics of wealth and the contradictions of elite masculinity—poking fun, pulling apart and re-styling the codes of classic upper-class clothing. Nowhere was this more apparent than at Dior Menswear, where Jonathan Anderson made his much-anticipated debut as creative director. Known for his eccentricity at Loewe, Anderson brought a delightfully odd mix to Dior: regency cravats, plaid waistcoats, preppy ties, leather trousers and couture-inspired cargo shorts. But beneath the charm and clash, his collection revealed something sharper—a satirical take on how class and masculinity entwine. Gender, after all, is a social construct shaped by culture, psychology, and performance. Add class to the mix, and the performance of masculinity becomes even more layered. Think stealth wealth versus rugged workwear: two aesthetics, two masculinities, both with distinct social codes. [instagram-oembed url=”https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLe2x8wMt51/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MWZkemRzYTZ3NDhtYQ==” /] Anderson challenged these conventions, Frankensteining different sartorial archetypes until they collapsed into one uniform look. The romantic Mr. Darcy morphed with the ever-problematic tech bro. The 2000s skater dude merged with a 19th-century British soldier. You get the idea. This pairing of opposites also showed up at Giorgio Armani, where flip-flops were worn under thousands of dollars of suiting. Dolce & Gabbana and Amiri played with house-husband tropes with silky pyjamas and ‘70s loungewear. And at Prada, short shorts were reimagined as anti-power dressing—a soft rebellion against masculine dominance. Of course there were other trends that popped up as well. Bomber jackets, dresses for men and nostalgic neck ties also made an appearance. As did luxe layers and leather pants. But whichever economic echelon you fall into, the message was clear: it’s fashionable to poke fun at the rich. Below, we break down the top Spring 2026 menswear trends.
Toe Teasers
So. Many. Toes. Prepare your eyes for a season of foot cleavage because this Spring 2026 is the season of men’s flip flop. And while the sole message was clear, the styles had a surprisingly wide footprint. Dolce & Gabbana made a strong case for staying in bed and slipping into decadent day slippers that say “do not disturb.” Dries Van Noten wants you to toe the line between Bali and the boardroom, pairing slides with suits and sarongs in looks that are both business and barefoot. But it was Louis Vuitton, Hermès and Auralee who really nailed the trend, showing that the humble flip flop shines brightest when kept heel-to-toe simple.
Do Not Disturb
You can tell a lot about someone by their pyjamas. A vintage tee? A nostalgic soul. A lacy slip? Perhaps newly in love. A silk set? Well, that person obviously just has good taste. Menswear Spring 2026 fashion week brought these bedtime personas and more to the runway. At Dolce & Gabbana, models looked fresh from a Lake Como suite decked in silky pastel pjs. Amiri was similarly decadent, albeit with more ‘70s-flair, throwing on ties and coats overtop patterned robes. And Saint Laurent’s short shorts catered to those who roll out of bed at 8:50 and head out by 9.
Skirting the Issue
In 2025, dresses for men should not shock you. (After all, RuPaul’s Drag Race is basically an international sport). But, with LGBTQIA2S+ rights hanging by a fragile thread, the inclusion of the garment on the runway feels downright radical, dare we say rebellious. And this season, no one did it better than LGN Louis Gabriel Nouch, with its padded shoulders, blazer accents, and floor-grazing lengths. Coming in a very close second are Prada, which created a workwear mini, and KidSuper, which presented a real-life paper doll.
Regency Regalia
What is it about period dramas that make the leading men so damn sexy? The restraint? The manners? Or perhaps the answer lies in the humble necktie. For Jonathan Anderson’s much anticipated debut at Dior Men, he took a cue from Mr. Darcy and accessorized nearly all his models with ascots, answering the question “What would Mr. Darcy look like in 2025.” Going down a slightly different path, Hermes went more boy scout than Bridgerton with its scarves, DSquared2 combined disco with Y2K silhouettes and Kenzo borrowed from the ladies, adding pussy-bow blouses to it suits. Insert hand flex (IFYKYK).
In Short
If the Zoom era was defined by statement tops paired with quietly complacent sweatpants, consider Spring 2026’s exaggerated shorts trend its antithesis. Legs, once politely out of frame, are now front and centre. For instance, at Hed Mayner, voluminous handkerchief-hemmed shorts demanded the spotlight. Comme des Garçons proposed culottes so wide that they all but transitioned into skirt territory. And at Dior Menswear, the humble cargo short was elevated with sweeping couture-inspired pleats—proof that even utility can aspire to drama.
Everything but the kitchen sink
How many jackets is too many jackets? For designers like KidSuper, Kenzo, Louis Vuitton and more, the limit did not exist. On days when you’re paralyzed with outfit indecision, take your cues from the Spring 2026 and wear it all. A quilted blazer with a red and yellow cardigan over a bow blouse? A staple at Kenzo. A croc print puffer over a jean jacket and white button-down? Consider it Pharrell Williams-approved at Louis Vuitton. You may even be able to work your way up to elite level à la KidSuper — a leather jacket, suit blazer, polo and tee all in one ensemble.
Top Gun Reloaded
Whenever there’s a notable resurgence of bomber jackets—as we’ve seen this past season—tribute must be paid to the enduring legacy of Top Gun. Tom Cruise’s Maverick epitomized everything that this outerwear stands for: adventure, action and just a general bad-ass mentality. With those guiding principles in mind, Acne presented the best military lookalike, accessorized with oversized aviators and skinny black pants. Hermes went more refined than rugged with buttery-soft leather jackets paired with silk scarves. And Louis Vuitton expanded the bomber jacket’s colour range, showcasing styles in baby blue, cherry red and avocado green. Continue Reading
