5 Trend Takeaways from the FW26 Menswear Shows

One of the more novel emerging trends from this season is the use of the shirt cuff as an intentional styling device. Specifically at Prada and Saint Laurent, visible cuffs were layered beneath chunky knits, peeking out from under sharp tailored jackets, and spilling from outerwear sleeves with a deliberately relaxed finish. The effect is anti-formal; it’s purposefully undone. By leaving cuffs visible, and loose, even when embellished with cufflinks, something familiar is turned into something new — a little louche, a little laissez-faire, effort without effort.

Leather has been menswear’s material fixation for a couple of seasons now, but FW26 saw some collections shifting the palette decisively lighter. Designers leaned into tan, camel and soft brown leathers, reframing the category away from biker-black severity toward something more tactile and less rebellious. The result felt warmer, more wearable and more luxurious in an everyday way.

Bold headwear has been bubbling for over a year, but this season it tipped into full commitment territory for a lot of designers. Prada and Paul Smith sent out jaunty, characterful caps, while Dries Van Noten leaned into Peruvian-inspired silhouettes that felt deliberately conspicuous. Headwear is very much no longer a finishing touch but an outfit topping focal point. FW26 has further positioned very bold hats as an expressive styling move, not an afterthought.

The biggest move for 2026? An embraced unapologetic color. Bright red, yellow, blue and green cut through otherwise neutral looks, sometimes as the hero piece, sometimes as a sharp spike that catches you by surprise. Auralee and Louis Vuitton both had bright yellow puffer jackets walk down the runway, while other houses threaded bold tones through knitted layers, exuberant outerwear and accent accessories. It felt less like seasonal novelty and more like a knowing juxtaposition of expressive color sitting against the more mature and structural elements of menswear that have been emerging.

Folksy and traditional patterns made their presence felt very strongly within this season's shows. Most clearly around the neck and shoulders. Small checks, tartans and plaids appeared repeatedly on scarves, from Ralph Lauren, AMI Paris, Auralee and Dries Van Noten while Fair Isle knits were worn slung around the shoulders at Paul Smith. The styling cue was consistent: texture and pattern as a layering tool that aids in adding depth to the more pared-back outfits without overwhelming them. Or, as an additional maximalist-mode injection of flair.