It is officially a new season – Chinese New Year marks the arrival of spring – and this means you need to pay attention to the latest rotation of fashion trends.
What’s cool in menswear this time around though? For one, short shorts are somehow still a big thing.
Having been a talking point since last year (when actor Paul Mescal wore a pair to attend a fashion week show), the fixation with such thigh-baring designs is not going away.
From tailored to sporty ones, the industry can’t get enough of men showing off their legs.
There is also the focus on utilitarian wear. This is seen on the Spring/Summer 2025 season’s runways, which were presented in September last year.
Chore jackets (named as such because they were once favoured by labourers, rail workers and farmers) are a huge trend. Not to mention parkas, which are not just something for athletes anymore.
Technical materials – fabrics traditionally used for outdoor wear – are being co-opted for slightly more formal garments. You can see this in shirts, as well as trousers.
From the red carpets, you have the metallics trend. Female celebrities are seen wearing gowns that look like liquid metal.
One way to adopt this and make it relevant for men is to play up non-jewellery accessories that mimic metal.
For example, choose sunglasses with highly reflective lenses – gold-coloured being the most ideal. They will definitely help draw all eyes and make you stand out.
In the shoe department, opt for non-descript designs. The current zeitgeist calls for plain designs that your grandfather would love to wear.
Called “grandpa core”, this aesthetic often involves footwear like chunky sneakers and classic loafers.
Read more: Grandpa shoes or cool kicks? Sneakerheads fawn over retro footwear designs
If you have any doubts about this being a real thing, know that even Loro Piana introduced a pair of sports sneakers last year (it was in collaboration with New Balance).
In terms of bags, look to bigger bags – long gone is the era of cross-body pouches and tiny sling bags. Like for the ladies, a ready-for-anything bag design is the new cool kid on the block.
Baseball caps are also now back in fashion. After taking a back seat to bucket hats for a few seasons, the headwear is seen making rounds worn by celebrities.
A baseball cap can be worn with a suit or workout clothes, which highlights its extreme versatility as a fashion accessory for guys.
