FALL / WINTER 2025 TRENDS
SOBER CURIOUS
If fashion can be reduced to design for a consumer’s life stage, then we’re witnessing a shift: consumers are stepping away from the quiet luxury hustle and embracing a simpler, more rustic revitalization. This generation is redefining what personal optimization—and by extension, personal style—truly means. Modern consumers, burdened by macroeconomic pressures and overwhelmed by product overstimulation, are adjusting their spending habits and seeking a guilt-free response to anxiety-ridden flows. Whether your full-time employed or unemployed friend on a Tuesday, they’re likely seeking the same thing: sobriety. This natural pushback is evident in Men’s FW25, which flirts with a therapeutic laziness, attempting to create space for individuality that’s less dependent on fleeting trends and more rooted in personal style. Consumers are now looking for fashion that significantly improves their daily lives—clothing that nurtures them in a tangible way and delivers real value for money. Consider the quietness of this season: no Gucci, JW Anderson, Loewe, or Fendi. The carousel of creative directors has become almost incomprehensible. Men’s fashion feels lethargic, struggling to keep up with the relentless pace of womenswear and its ever-turning trend cycle. This distillation to the basics signals new, goal-focused needs—almost as if a core group of consumers has entered a slow modernity phase, seeking orientation in simpler, more mindful ways. In this third-degree consciousness, the viral microtrend cycle that dominated womenswear over the past three years falls flat. Menswear shoppers now value peer influence, the hunt for the perfect product, and making informed, premium financial decisions based on product longevity—often choosing items that last several seasons due to the natural staticity of menswear. After all, there are only so many ways menswear can be tailored, reimagined, and reconstructed. When done right, it can offer timelessness, as brands like Auralee master so well. FW25 showcased this evolution through seamless, floor-skimming trousers at Ami and intricate, niche knits at Zegna. We also saw a return to durable fabrics with long life cycles: leather, denim, and corduroy—natural, high-quality materials that endure. The reemergence of fur reinforces this shift, signaling that the fashion pendulum has swung back, with fur now seen as a timeless piece to keep rather than a point of controversy. Color plays an essential role here too. Shades like 2026 Jelly Mint, Cherry Lacquer, and Cocoa Powder grounded the collection in a contemporary, lab-like design—pragmatic yet personal in expression. As Grace Wales Bonner aptly put it during her presentation, “Clothes are collectibles, and the modern male consumer is creating an archive.” For the FW25 man, self-care is singularity. That and whatever Lindsay Lohan got done.
CRITERION CLOSET
FW25’s heavy hitter was the reimagination of the rich textures and heritage of 1970s coding. Particularly, velvet and corduroy, which exclusively grasped the fair share of rent in Dolce & Gabbana and Amiri’s collections. The resurgence of cultural nostalgia is cementing itself as an antithesis to the sartorial man recent menswear seasons have been pushing. It’s a nod towards what could either be a pushback towards a newfound wave of constraints in an absolutist political environment or, in favor of lightness, a celebration of the rhythmic, progressive man in history that had the ability to seamlessly segue from career to downtown life in functional, charming fashion. The “thinking man” or, in our climate, “the man who’s back to the office to navigate rising living costs” blends everyday comfort and refinement without sacrificing practicality. This romanticized redux has been flirting itself back into men’s fashion after a few silent seasons but has nonetheless catapulted back into the mainstream with brilliant modern styling and flare jean cameos that launched the internet into hysterics after Super Bowl LIX. Color is everything here. It’s rich, earthy, and compelling. Ochre yellow with a mocha, burgundy on an even richer burgundy. Future dusk, both moody and intriguing. It’s all totally encapsulating. FW25’s key colors are reflective of the long-term sway towards the power of transformative colors: emotionally driven evocations that activate all the senses. FW25’s color opts for impact on lustrous fabrics that carry a similar weight of importance: cashmere, corduroy, denim on denim, and this season’s hero, velvet. Velvet’s energy was spurred back into foresight by powerhouses Amiri, Lanvin, and Willy Chavarria, not as a suggestion, but as an agenda in elevating the narrative of elegance, sensuality, and, most definitively, soft rebellion. True homage goes to the flight jacket, whose aviator shearlings went hand in hand with womenswear’s keen interest. The biggest praise goes to buckle-belt denim in FW25, notably when paired with a chunky knit and capped by waist-enhancing silhouettes. Flared jeans, corduroy trousers, tailored wide-leg trousers—cinched shapes exude effortless confidence and sophistication. Jordanluca did it best with their bomber-to-corduroy blending, and Auralee gave it refined sculpting for sharp, quiet appeal. FW25 is a playful tête-à-tête for a man who trophies the nitty-gritty of the archives, racing today towards what will singularly place him both apart in his circle and deeply embedded in niche culture. Ultimately, he is reaching for what will define him as the most esoteric man in any room.
NOT BEEFING WITH A WOMAN WHO HAS NEVER BEEN FEATURED IN THE CUT
Menswear’s growing infatuation with feminine archetypes and its role in the ongoing redefinition of masculinity are emblematic of a larger cultural shift, one that’s mirrored both in the FW25 runway and across the global landscape. As traditional gender norms continue to blur, old clichés increasingly seem out of place. In today's society where voices are interconnected globally, the cultural conversation is actively challenging identity roles that once felt rigid, exposing them as remnants of outdated constraints. FW25 embodies a new vision of the contemporary male role model—one who is not only empowered, pragmatic, and functional but also beautiful, sensual, and delicate. This shift challenges the notion that vulnerability is an attribute exclusively reserved for women, suggesting instead that soft and nuanced expressions of self are not a handicap for male fashion, but an evolution of it. Dior, in particular, serves as a perfect signpost of this shift, skillfully blending gender fluidity with a modern vision that calls for a realignment of traditional notions of elegance and timelessness. Their approach exemplifies how the modern male wardrobe can merge the sensual and the sophisticated, as fluidity becomes central to rethinking masculine style. Drawing inspiration from Dior’s FW54-55 collections, FW25 introduced haute couture pieces for the modern man: satin blouses, opera coats, and ruched-and-bowed cropped jackets in powder pink. This moment marks a significant shift, echoing the period when female fashion reclaimed its voice, and now, men’s fashion follows suit, adopting similar sensuality and sophistication. Similarly, Jacquemus brings a fresh interpretation to male styling by embracing the intimacy of salon tailoring—showcasing nipped waists and dramatic balloon-like proportions in sleeves and trousers. This more delicate, sculpted approach challenges the rigid, utilitarian structures traditionally associated with menswear. Masculinity itself is being redefined through a more inclusive lens, profoundly affecting the way men both see themselves and interact with the world around them. This evolution is not just seen on the runway but felt socially, where concepts of identity, beauty, and emotional expression are being reconsidered. In a world where the W.H.O. has declared loneliness a global health threat, social connectedness has never been more critical. Menswear, recognizing this cultural shift, has begun to tap into realms traditionally seen as outside its scope—such as beauty, wellness, and grooming—reflecting a broader societal interest in self-care and emotional well-being. This shift in menswear also coincides with a reckoning of the male ‘pack mentality,’ particularly in a generation increasingly siloed by technology. Fashion, embracing its role as both a mirror and a catalyst, plays a pivotal part in reshaping the conversation around male self-care. The stigma surrounding these topics is being broken down, making room for discussions of fashion as a tool for nurturing the mind, body, and soul—ultimately elevating the importance of mental health. This evolving formula highlights the transformative power of product development and assortment, illustrating how fashion can serve as a barometer for broader societal shifts towards fluidity. As we continue to see gender roles blend and expand, it’s essential that men engage with traditionally ‘feminine’ spaces—such as beauty, wellness, and emotional expression—to encourage a more inclusive, nuanced conversation. Let's keep these men in women's fields.
MIDNIGHT COWBOY
All eyes are on the West for FW25, where NYC's biggest voice, Mexican-American designer Willy Chavarria, delivers a sharp debut. Chavarria does more than set bold rules; he empowers self-expression. American cosplay has emerged as a maverick, leading this generation’s interest in rustic revitalization. In a time when burnout, hustle culture, and crushing living costs are squeezing a generation, consumers are unplugging from oversaturated media and traditional values, instead embracing an ethos rooted in supportive collectives, rurality, and a return to rudimentary identity. This shift can be summed up as a manifestation of strong identity and pragmatic optimism. What is Paris when turned on its head by a wave of American cowboys? What is fashion when it’s stripped of hierarchy? Is it the loudness of Americana that threatens, or the introspection about human nature it invites? Prada, of course, is the house that dares to explore the latter, presenting a surrealist take on how we dress for our everyday routines. FW25 Prada unpacks the routine experience with a mix of mismatched outfits, American West-inspired indigo denim, ochre brown tones, snap buttons, star motifs, and scuffed paisley boots for the urban cowboy. Bluemarble adds rich context with Western logo tees, patchwork, and skillful layering—checkered flannels, suede calfskin trousers, and leather blousons supercharged with oversized tailoring and printed suiting. Together, they render a frontier worth advancing from the rustic, equestrian-influenced namesakes like Ralph Lauren and Hermes. FW25 embraces decorative items with a cheeky indulgence in texture and Western embellishment. The deeply loved American West is alive with community, sustainable lifestyles, and hearty attitudes in the face of societal expectations.
THE MOTO IN YAMAMOTO
Gorp deserves esteemed veneration for evolution this season, stepping away from outdoor-facing technical gear and maturing into robust luxury. FW25 moto-Gorp revises technical aesthetics and sporty layering, moving away from the somber, pre-apocalyptic styles of past seasons—representing a generation shaped by climate change and protectionism (both political and personal)—and instead embracing a moto-infused, dynamic character who is adventurous, rebellious, and rich with narrative. FW25 Gorp embodies a supplemental “f*ck off” attitude—a giant leap for the post-Gorp era. Alongside this, Gorp taps into the broader consumer desire for worn-in, personality-driven wardrobes. The FW25 Gorp man has elevated his functional, pocket-heavy pieces with monochrome leather, streamlined silhouettes, and bespoke details like embossing, bold hardware, and unexpected styling choices. He’s a soft adventurer, ageless in spirit. The biker emerges as the dominant figure in FW25’s athletic offerings, with mid-70s influences creeping into the tech runway, as motorcycle motifs appeared at Courrèges, Rick Owens, and Sacai. Major names like Louis Vuitton, Maison Margiela, and the culturally significant collaboration between NYC powerhouse Willy Chavarria and Adidas emphasized this performance-driven, instinctual vibe. Consumer desire for products that satisfy real needs is met with offerings that are practical yet surprisingly cutting-edge and romantic in their tailored FW25 delivery. Gotta hand it to gorp! She really does bring it.