Top trends for men from Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2019

Now that the menswear presentations at Paris Men’s Fashion Week have concluded and we have an overabundance of looks suggested by designers and brands, it’s time for us to chart out the most promising trends for the approaching Spring/Summer 2019 season.

There always exists a synchronicity in terms of recurring trends when it comes to the major shows at London, Milan, and New York, but surprisingly, Paris has a habit of inducing fresh and outlandish trends all on its own merit – and this season was no different.

Shorts, which have been persuasive throughout the fashion capitals, came with a twist at the Parisian runways, whilst a new update was suggested to the classic pattern of stripes.

The vacation wardrobe continues to be on an expedited rise with a surge of print-on-print looks and holiday inspired tropical prints taking centre-stage. It is an exciting time to be in menswear – the walls are blurring and the rigidity is giving way to more fluid concepts with men being open to embracing experimental fashion.

Read on to discover the top trends from the menswear shows at PFW SS’19…

SOLO SUITS

While suiting is a regular at men’s fashion weeks, this season presented a slight twist to the classic.

If the designer showcases are anything to go by, then it is suggested that the way to wear the blazer in Spring/Summer 2019 is bare chested- with absolutely no article of clothing underneath. Instead of layering them under multiple layers of outerwear coats or over shirts, the targeted look was about going solo.

The trend was prevalent across the fashion capitals, signalling a shift in the way the consumer is preferring to dress.

PRINT MASHUP

From pairing florals alongside abstract geometrics, to pairing graffiti inspired patterns alongside sixties mod art prints, a heavy dose of uniquely bold print-pattern-clashing was in full effect at the Parisian runways.

Whether over long jumpsuits, a three-piece set, shirts, track pants, jackets, robes or bags, designers and high fashion brands alike injected a dose of bright, unapologetic and statement patterns to the menswear offering for SS’19.

Prints dominated the growing menswear segment this season, with designers opting for head-to-toe print-on-print variations, rather than focusing on separates. Each designer’s individuality was communicated through the choice of pattern mixes they presented within their collections.

METALLICA

Whether presented in terms of small sequins or embellishments, or a much larger spanning metallic fabric that served as an entire piece, bling was in for next summer.

The trend can be attributed to the mega influx of cosmos and space inspired influences that have been at the top of the womenswear market since the past two seasons, now filtering into the menswear segment as well.

Streetwear king Virgil Abloh, who debuted his first collection for Louis Vuitton, emerged as the bravest of the lot by taking the trend a notch further and presenting it in holographic tones as well. Other variations include incorporating pops of metallics into sleek black designs, metallic shoes, and futuristic neons.

BERMUDA SHORTS

Having already garnered fame for itself as the ‘Key Trend’ this season, shorts took on a new stance at the Paris shows. Over the past few seasons, menswear has evolved considerably and tailoring has become a lot less conformed. Keeping the same dynamics in mind, designers such as Louis Vuitton, Dries Van Noten, Thom Browne and, Dior Homme presented shorts paired with tailored suiting.

Shorts in various shapes, sizes, colours, and materials, sometimes as ultra-short bum-skimmers and at times as bermudas, were up for display for SS’19.

THE NEW LENGTH

Outerwear is reaching for new lengths this season. From long and crisp formal coats, to printed and flowing casual jackets, to muted technical performance wear, lengths that grazed the knees or hit the calves, were a norm adopted by the fashion fraternity.

Designers experimented with a variety of materials and techniques ranging from solids, dual fabrics, checks, plaids and even embellished details for Summer 2019.

GLO*LIGHTER

One of the unifying trends this season (apart from bermuda shorts) has to be a burst of the neon colour palette. Bright, over-the-top neons could be spotted everywhere, right from simple cotton and polyester fabrics to heavier PVC, and gabardine materials.

The trend showcases vibrant, neon colours that are usually not worn together. Mostly paired with washed out, earthy tones or dark complementary colours such as black or grey, designers jumped on the happy bandwagon, unleashing a surge of popping bright excitement just in time for Spring 2019.

Blue and highlighter yellow emerged as the most common neons.

NEW AGE STRIPES

Though stripes are now termed as a classic in the fashion industry, we would be at a loss for words if you were to ask what is symbolic of Parisian fashion more than these linear patterns.

If the menswear shows at PFW are anything to go by, it is to be noted that the classic striped pattern is being updated with an artful twist. Stripes of various widths and angles were juxtaposed with large motifs or graphic prints such as logos, illustrations, or an abstract design. Presented vertically, horizontally, or clashing against one another, stripes seem to be undergoing a shift in the print department for the approaching season.