From breezy pyjama sets to retro seventies micro shorts, SS26 men’s fashion trends turn effortless ease into statement style. Loose cuts, relaxed fits, and a touch of luxury designer flair make the heat feel effortlessly wearable. Here is Esquire’s edit of the standout trends that every man should adopt this season.
STRIPED TROUSERS
Pinstripes return, liberated from corporate formality. At Dolce & Gabbana, they appeared softened and fluid, while Walter Van Beirendonck introduced colour with a rebellious twist. Louis Vuitton presented liquid chinos in dusty turquoise with cinnamon stripes, paired with a silk shirt and supple leather outerwear. Who said stripes were boring?
KNITTED SWEATERS AND POLOS
Knitwear slides effortlessly into the season. Sweaters and polos arrive light, relaxed, and subtly refined. Ribs, mesh textures, dropped shoulders, and confident colour give them presence without excess. Paired with wide trousers and secured with a belt, the knit stands as a considered centrepiece rather than a casual layer .
FULL DENIM
Once a supporting player, denim takes centre stage. At Gucci, led by Demna, it carried street-informed energy; Dior offered a sharper take, styling denim even with a tie. Across the collections, total denim looks prevailed. This season, think Beckham in the ’90s pulling off head-to-toe denim on the pitch.
PYJAMA PARTY
Dolce & Gabbana brought the bedroom to the runway, showing that pyjamas belong everywhere. Bottega Veneta paired them with fluid outerwear, Amiri refined the robe silhouette, and Etro leaned into pattern.
Soft in fabrication yet bold in attitude, pyjamas make a persuasive case for daywear with zero compromise. Bedtime is over.
BOHO CHIC
Freedom, but make it tailored. Bohemian influences return for SS26 men’s fashion trends, drawing on 1970s ease while maintaining a tailored edge. Zegna and Emporio Armani focused on washed neutrals, relaxed knitwear, and natural textures in shades of brown, beige, and cream. The result feels lived-in yet vibey, balancing freedom with refinement.
BOLD COLOURS
After pink’s dominance, the SS26 men’s fashion trends spectrum explodes. This season favours saturation over subtlety. Fendi proposed sharp lime and yellow, Paul Smith embraced vivid orange, and Saint Laurent reinforced the power of unapologetic pink and purple. Blending in is no longer an option. Stand out, or step aside.
MICRO SHORTS
Legs out, confidence up. What began last season now asserts itself with authority. Shorts are cut high and worn without apology. At Prada, the shorts were cut decisively higher, while Dior, in Jonathan Anderson’s debut collection, kept every silhouette firmly above the knee.
Louis Vuitton, under Pharrell Williams, continued its sun-washed narrative, and Dries Van Noten, guided by Julian Klausner, followed with equal assurance. Styled with tucked knits, oversized shirts, and school socks, micro shorts leave little room for hesitation.