How to rock 6 fashion trends seen at men’s spring/summer 2024 shows, from halter neck tops and mini shorts to all black and denim everything
- Move over, ‘quiet luxury’ – June 2023’s menswear shows in London, Milan and Paris offered classic tailoring contrasted with softer, androgynous aspects
- Consider a blazer worn with thigh-revealing shorts, black everything, a white tank – or adding a twist to a suit by swapping the shirt for a halter neck top
Much of 2023 has been dedicated to discussions of “quiet luxury”, especially in light of the success of HBO show Succession and the muted palette presented by fashion brands such as Zegna and The Row.
There is a sense of change in how luxury’s top creative directors, from Saint Laurent and Dolce & Gabbana to Louis Vuitton, are approaching menswear.
Instead of a suit or a shirt and a pair of trousers or shorts, high-waisted suit trousers are being paired with one-shoulder tops, and monogrammed jackets are being worn with pleated skirts, ankle socks and loafers.
The convergence between men’s and women’s fashion is by no means a new phenomenon, but the concept has gained traction in recent years as brands embrace the shift in masculinity and gender norms.
We take a look at six menswear trends spotted in June, and provide ways to include them in your everyday looks.
1. Suits and shorts
On the face of it, pairing a suit jacket with shorts sounds relatively traditional, but the shorts are shorter and more thigh-revealing for spring/summer 2024 men’s fashion.
This was one of the most accessible trends seen on last month’s runways, and is one of the most versatile pairings to come from Milan and Paris, as it offers variety when it comes to proportions and silhouettes.
2. Halter necks enter menswear
The style has gradually made its way into menswear through young designers such as Ludovic de Saint Sernin and Egonlab, who have incorporated it into their androgynous collections.
To follow suit, pair a halter neck top with a stylish suit jacket, straight-cut evening trousers and boots à la Saint Laurent – or lose the blazer and simply wear it as is with a slim silver necklace and mini-shorts, the Fendi way.
3. Black everything
One of the more chic – and quintessentially European – trends to come from last month’s runways is head-to-toe black. According to data from the fashion search engine TAGwalk, black was the most popular colour during the men’s fashion weeks in London, Milan, Florence and Paris.
While it deviates from the typically lighter wardrobes that we see in the warmer months, the shade’s enduring appeal is hard to resist.
Keeping it simple goes a long way: wear a black, loosely cut linen shirt with baggy trousers and black slip-on clogs. The pairing, best represented by the French brand Lemaire, oozes effortless confidence.
4. The white tank top’s comeback
One of the most functional garments that made its way down the men’s runway was the white tank top, which was invented in the 1910s.
Its beauty lies in the fact that it can be worn with or under absolutely everything. While the tank – popularised in the ’50s by films such as A Streetcar Named Desire – was embraced by both genders in the ’70s, it has seen a renaissance within the menswear space in recent years.
5. Revealing collarbones
Traditionally, revealing your clavicles, or collarbones, has been considered a near-exclusive sultry look in womenswear.
Own the look by baring your chest underneath a structured long jacket or oversized trench coat, as displayed by designers Rick Owens and Hed Mayner or, alternatively, rock it with an asymmetrical one-shoulder top, as exhibited by the Berlin-based brand GmbH.
6. Denim
The all-American staple is as beloved as ever, and returned in all its forms to make an unequivocal mark across the European fashion capitals.
