A fashion editor dissects the key menswear trends for Spring/Summer 2026.
Or at least, retailers believe so; spring/summer collections tend to arrive in stores within the first weeks of February, allowing the organised shopper to prepare for the dog days that are yet to come.
But what should those garms be? Colorful or neutral? Baggy or slimline? Patterned or not? Elite Traveler can guide you in the right direction, having distilled the season’s trends into a concise recap that’s worthy of investment.
Color blocking
Designers’ usual penchant for earthy tones (sand, olive, terracotta – you get the gist) were nowhere to be seen last June, as 2026 marks menswear’s move into bold colors. Not only did the catwalk’s have retina-burning oranges, turquoise, and pinks on display, but they were styled with other equally bright shades.
Versace was the biggest culprit, leaning into an eighties vibe by pairing complimentary colours of that vintage patina with each other: canary yellow with royal blue, or tomato red with jade green. Jil Sander had a slightly more subdued take, layering different shades of blue with one another, while Alessandro Michele’s Valentino collection felt like a middle ground between the two, as salmon pink trousers were styled with a faded baby blue shirt.
Check two-piece
While this print is a staple within many men’s wardrobes, this year, you should be wearing it differently. Amiri layered an Argyle cardigan over a knitted tank, Acne styled a white check shirt with shorts made of the same material, while Auralee opted for a chore jacket and trouser combination. When it came to checks this season, we were seeing double.
Pyjama suits
No longer are bed-bound silhouettes just for nighttime, as plenty of pyjama suits walked down the catwalk last June.
Dolce & Gabbana models appeared with shirts undone and one panel tucked into their trousers, as if they’d rushed out of bed without a moment to think of wearing anything else. Etro clashed prints, opting for a paisley shirt and dressing gown against a more subdued navy trouser, while Saint Laurent had knees with their shirt and shorts design, poking underneath a double-breasted blazer.
Knotted scarf
While the tie has been having a renaissance as of late, the spring/summer shows proved that a new more informal neck accessory is making a scene. Silk scarves twisted like bandanas are being worn with the knot loosely tied at the front, elevating daytime ensembles.
At Hermès, an emerald style was the pop of color against a neutral outfit, Ami Paris kept it tonal to the look, while Giorgio Armani went for printed styles.
