Unlike the womenswear shows that can sometimes feel impossible to avoid on social media, if you don’t actively pay attention to or cover menswear, you might not have even known that the fall/winter 2024 shows just ended—apart from Loewe, where all the “baby girls” plus Taylor Russell played dress-up in high-waisted corduroys, fuzzy suede boots, and sparkly blazers. That’s where I come in. Even if you weren’t watching every livestreamed show as they took place like I was, you’d want to know the trends that debuted there and steal them.
From rugged work coats at Louis Vuitton and Prada (you might remember their lauded appearance in the spring/summer 2024 womenswear collection) to fashion-friendly, undeniably chic groutfits seen at Valentino and Sabato De Sarno’s first menswear show for Gucci, the eight trends ahead include a little bit of everything cool right now in fashion. Scroll down to meet them all.
Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images for Bottega Veneta
Any fashion historian would tell you that the concept of men wearing handbags isn’t groundbreaking, but within the past year, this trend has bubbled up in ways that I haven’t seen in recent memory. My theory is that we’ve seen a rise in the popularity of the “man purse” because it directly reflects how fashion is used to challenge cultural norms. It’s no secret that style has always been used as a way to subvert gender conformity, racism, and sexism, but it feels incredibly fresh at this moment, as we’ve seen a slew of political policies passed around the world that erode the rights that women and members of the LGBTQ+ community have over their bodies within the last few years. From the overturning of Roe v. Wade to the countless pieces of legislation proposed to police drag performers and individuals dressing in a gender-nonconforming manner, there’s no shortage of legislation aimed at degrading ideas of bodily autonomy.
In a way, one could argue that the degradation of rights has given rise to a counterculture that centers on positively reframing ideas and values around traditional femininity. One only needs to reference the box-office numbers for the Barbie film, the virality of the “girlhood” fashion trend, and even men donning handbags as proof of such efforts. While art forms like film and fashion can not be held at the same level as other forms of political protest, they’re still imperative because they are a source of solace in times of uncertainty. After all, what’s more refreshing than seeing famous men embrace something as “feminine” as a handbag? Nothing, in my humble opinion.
While good-ole misogyny has reared its ugly head, seeing men carrying their little bags has acted as a cultural reset. It’s the receipts, proof, timeline, and screenshots I’ve needed to be assured that not all hope is lost. Although it might seem melodramatic, I know I’m not the only one feeling this way. With so much buzz on social media surrounding all the celebs spotted wearing designer bags, plus the continued allure of the quiet luxury movement, it’s safe to say this trend carries significant weight. If you’re still dubious about this trend, you’ll want to keep scrolling to see the examples of men wearing handbags on the runway and in real life that I’ve rounded up.
The fashion world is currently enamored with watches, especially ones designed for and worn by women. Instagram is loaded with them, showcased on wrists and stacked alongside sculptural bracelets or in a decorative box to show off a growing collection. In a retail space once dominated by men, women are embracing these meticulously crafted and categorically luxurious investment items with open arms.
In the past, celebrities like Victoria Beckham, Rihanna, and Jennifer Lopez dabbled in larger timepieces, but this time around, most of the watches that are trending among women are rather dainty in size. Think smaller Tanks and Baignoires and Lady Datejusts. While I am nothing if not smitten with all three of the aforementioned styles, I’m also someone who spent her early 20s in a men’s Seiko stolen from her father, which is why I’ve always had a soft spot for bigger, more substantial timepieces when time is taken to choose the right one and, of course, it is styled just right.
One trick to styling a men’s watch is to stick with cases that are 40 millimeters or below. Anything larger than that tends to be overly showy, a trait that’s best avoided, especially for an everyday watch. (Luxury watches are expensive and sought after, so you don’t want to draw an abundance of attention to yours. In 2022, nearly 7000 Rolexes were reported stolen or missing, according to data from The Watch Register.) I also prefer to go for classic color options and minimal designs that can be dressed up or down and will fit seamlessly with my existing jewelry collection and wardrobe.
Not to be dramatic, but for fashion people, the holidays are basically our form of the Super Bowl. Hear us out: it’s the season of shopping. All of those bi-annual sales? We’re ready to make a run through those aisles. All of the forthcoming trends for the new year? We’ve already pre-grieved what we’re parting with to make room for what’s to come in our closets. And, of course, there are the holidays themselves, for which we want to find the best presents for our loved ones. In short, it’s shopping season, baby!
And while many might derive joy from this time of year, that doesn’t mean everyone does. Finding holiday gifts has its fair share of challenges—especially when shopping for a boyfriend. Finding the perfect present for a friend or family member? Easy. But your lover? It’s a whole different story. Whether you’ve been together for a few months or a long time, finding something that feels special enough for your special person can be stressful. Sure, you could get them socks, but do you really want to? Probably not. No one wants to gift their loved one something cliché, but it can be challenging to find gifts for men that are actually chic.
Luckily for you, we live to make shopping so much more enjoyable. We’ve rounded up the 36 best gifts for boyfriends at every price point. No matter their style or hobbies, there is undoubtedly something that will surprise and delight them to be found ahead.
For as long as I’ve been with my husband, there’s been the debate: Who is more fashionable? And while I’d like to say, as someone who works in fashion, that it’s me, he really knows his stuff when it comes to men’s style. He’s an avid NBA tunnel ‘fits observer, a quiet luxury aficionado (before it was a thing), a streetwear connoisseur, and a little bit of an Adam Sandler follower. (It’s called balance.) You can find him in anything from a shirt by fashion-crowd-beloved brand John Elliott to a niche hoodie by an up-and-coming designer. While he used to be hard to shop for, having been with him for almost six years, I’ve gotten pretty good at finding holiday gifts that suit his picky taste. Curious to see what I mean? Keep scrolling. And if your S/O is “throwing ‘fits,” as the infamous podcast would say, they might like these picks, too.
Here at Who What Wear, we talk a lot about women’s fashion, whether it’s worn by editors, influencers, or celebrities. We rarely, however, discuss the style decisions made by men. But lately, I have found myself being more and more inspired by the men I see littering page after page of paparazzi images, from film actors to musicians to athletes. Props to stylists like Eric McNeal, who works with Lewis Hamilton, and Storm Pablo, Bad Bunny’s longtime outfit maker. Their work is not going unnoticed.
Still, both the clients and their stylists behind the curtain rarely get the level of attention they deserve for the outfits worn on red carpets, in Formula One paddocks and NBA tunnels, at fashion shows, and, of course, on the streets of their respective cities. That’s why I thought it only right to dole out some praise to the best dressed men, well, ever—or, at the very least, the ones dressing the best right now. Scroll down to see who made the cut.
Though they’re home to the same revered fashion houses as every womenswear season, the menswear shows rarely get the same amount of attention or buzz. The shows are attended by a niche selection of editors, stylists, and industry professionals; cut in roughly half compared to the women’s shows; and timed right before couture week, so the biannual unveiling of menswear collections simply (and sadly) gets overshadowed in many ways. But in my mind, they are, more often than not, a treasure trove for outfit and trend ideas.
Don’t just take my word for it, though—that would be irresponsible. Instead, read up on, scan photos of, and shop the eight most alluring menswear trends from the spring/summer 2024 shows, all of which you can conveniently do by scrolling down just a few notches. While the trends are from the men’s department, the shopping isn’t. (You’re welcome.) Without further ado, get to know the menswear trends that’ll be everywhere next spring and pick out every one that you’ll be wearing yourself.
There are so many clichés when it comes to Father’s Day gifts—my favorites include anything related to grilling or golf. But this year, I was inspired to look for things that felt inherently “cooler.” No offense to the aforementioned activities, but my gift-shopping expertise falls under the fashion and beauty categories, so I’ll stick to what I know. I had a bit too much fun exploring the men’s sections of my favorite retailers’ websites, so with far too many tabs open, I decided to narrow down my findings and create a shopping list for you. Below, you’ll find the latest Adidas sneakers, upgraded button-down shirts, skincare sets he’ll actually use, and an under-$200 David Yurman bracelet that can’t be missed. Keep scrolling to shop the gifts that are guaranteed to please this year.
If you speak with any fashion historian, you’d know that androgynous clothing is not a trend that’s emerged these past few years. Though, the uptick in nonbinary dressing by celebrity couples and men donning jewels doesn’t hurt. Some of the most prolific designers (Coco Chanel, Yohji Yamamoto, and Phoebe Philo) built their reputations on challenging the gender binary through crisply tailored clothing. Of course, any designer can create clothing that challenges the rules of gendered fashion—suiting has stayed trending on the runway for a few seasons now, and unisex clothing can be, well, anything. But what makes nonbinary clothing great moves beyond just labeling it as such. It requires true skills.
Any brand can drop a collection of “androgynous” sweatpants and say it’s inclusive, but that doesn’t mean it’s stylish. I’m not trying to be gauche or bash anyone’s love for sweatpants (you do you), but the point is that dressing in a nonbinary way doesn’t mean you don’t want crisp tailoring, luxurious fabrics, or sultry pieces. And luckily for us, there is a wave of contemporary fashion brands that understand just that. These 14 androgynous fashion brands continue to move beyond the boundaries, one garment at a time.
When I first met my boyfriend, he was just like most men in their late-20s and using the bare minimum when it came to grooming products. The first time I went to his apartment, I peeked in his shower and saw a three-in-one shampoo—cue horror music. Luckily, all of his other qualities were good enough to look past his minimal self-care routine.
Now that we’ve been dating for over three years, I credit myself with single-handedly transforming his routine. My apartment is essentially like my own personal Sephora since I constantly have so many products to test, so I’m able to give him products I think he’ll like. I asked him to give his uncensored opinion on the products I’ve given him that he actually uses. Let’s just say we’ve come a long way since his three-in-one shampoo days. Keep reading for the products he loves and snippets from our conversation on why he loves them.
Imaxtree/Lgn by Louis Gabriel Nouchi; Imaxtree/Jordanluca; Imaxtree/Emporio Armani; Imaxtree/Officine Generale; Imaxtree/Issey Miyake;Imaxtree/Courrèges; Imaxtree/Dries Van Noten
For some, February marks the last stretch of winter. Spring is on the horizon, and with that leap forward comes the prospect of new trends and warmer temperatures. But if you can believe it, fashion veterans aren’t thinking about spring; they’re thinking even further ahead to next fall. We don’t prefer winter as much, as it’s the beginning of fashion month when designers worldwide show their fall/winter collections. While there’s no telling what trends will take off, following the runways can give clues about what’s coming. It’s why as editors, we spend the entire month devouring lookbooks, staring at street-style images, and running from show to show in Copenhagen and New York in search of what’s next. And while we’re still in the throws of fashion month (Paris and Milan’s fashion weeks are still to come), I feel one week has already set the tone for the season: menswear week.
Admittedly, as a fashion editor primarily covering womenswear, following menswear week wasn’t always my top priority. But, as collections were released and two other cities’ fashion weeks concluded (and London is happening now), I’ve found that I can not stop thinking about menswear week. For me, it felt like designers were able to capture what many brands have failed to do as of late: meld function and fashion in a forward-thinking way. It wasn’t about sending oversized t-shirts down the runway and claiming they’re “androgynous” but instead using tailoring, styling, and accessories to push the envelope.
The looks spotted in menswear collections, in my mind, will set the tone for the rest of the year. And to prove that point, I’ve rounded up eight trends from the Fall/Winter 2023 menswear collections worth knowing about and shopped them out in both departments. Keep scrolling to see what trends will define women’s and men’s fashion for the rest of the year.
