Neckties, cargo pockets and slim silhouettes look to be making a comeback in menswear this year. Photo composite (from left): Hugo Boss, Willy Chavarria, Prada
There is no permanent falling out in fashion. When something loses popularity, it often makes a return.
One good example is the necktie, which has been written off more than once, only to re-emerge each time with renewed vigour.
On the Spring/Summer 2026 runways, fashion labels presented the accessory in less conventional ways. Hugo Boss draped it untied over the chest, Tom Ford wrapped it loosely like a scarf, and Dior knotted it into origami-like forms.
The styles were met with equal measures of praise and criticism.
At the same time, the sneaker hype appears to be waning, making room for a renewed appreciation of classic footwear – with the loafer emerging as a quiet frontrunner.
Stuart Weitzman’s latest campaign puts the shoe firmly in the spotlight.
The images show a model moving through various urban settings, with one common denominator: how impeccably shod he is in the brand’s latest loafers.
Loafers are taking back the spotlight, possibly edging out sneakers. Photo: Stuart WeitzmanRead more: The 2026 fashion conversation: Expect a return of thoughtful, timeless designs
Millennial-era trends are also making a comeback. After several seasons of being told to avoid skinny fits, the silhouette is showing clear signs of reclaiming its place at the top of the fashion hierarchy.
Notably, trousers are less spray-on and more streamlined slim, yet they still represent a clear shift away from the baggy, billowy proportions Gen Zs have been championing.
Prada’s Spring/Summer 2026 menswear show featured suits that were noticeably more fitted than anything seen recently.
Gucci, meanwhile, sent male models down the runway in super-tight T-shirts – a move that would likely leave the TikTok crowd gasping in horror.
Also, it seems the crewneck is on the way out, with deep V-necks making a strong comeback. This adds a sharper, more daring edge to menswear silhouettes.
Denim-on-denim, a Y2K favourite as seen worn by Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears back in 2001, is likely to become a thing this year.
Pharrell Williams is showing a lot of the material in his collections, which can signal that it is back in fashion.
The Spring/Summer 2026 Marine Serre collection walks the same line.
Women’s Wear Daily reported that the designer regularly buys old denim, tears it apart and pieces it back together for her collections. It is her way of paying ode to the old, worn-out and discarded.
“There’s enough material out there to last for years,” she said – or enough to fashion an entire outfit, at least.
Read more: Have sneakers been left out in the rain? What happens when fashion’s hype slows
Another clothing piece from the 2000s that is becoming a big hit is the cargo pants.
Much maligned for its bulky pockets and utilitarian look, it has been reimagined with braver cuts, and sometimes even modern fabrics or more tailored proportions.
Willy Chavarria unveiled XL cargo shorts for Spring/Summer 2026. He even added the same pockets to vests in his collection.
Kartik Kumra took a similar approach, using linen for his designs.
This is a striking contrast to the stiff fabrics traditionally used for cargo pants. Some pieces were even adorned with embroidery, adding an extra touch of style.
All of this shows that fashion constantly reinvents itself, proving that what was once old can always feel excitingly new again.
