Fashion for men has evolved dramatically over the past few decades. While men’s fashion trends tend to change more slowly than women’s, there are still new styles, fabrics, colors and fits coming out every season that influence what fashion dictates men should wear.
Understanding the latest fashion trends can help men build a stylish, put-together wardrobe. Classic staples like suits, button-down shirts and jeans will always have a place in men’s closets, but keeping up with emerging looks can take your style to the next level.
Key Elements of Men’s Fashion
When determining what to wear, men should focus on a few key elements of an outfit:
- Silhouette – The cut and shape of clothing, from loose and flowing to slim and tailored
- Fabric – From rugged textures like tweed and denim to smooth fabrics like silk
- Color Palette – Which hues and color combinations are stylish each year
- Patterns & Prints – From polka dots and stripes to plaids and florals
- Styling Details – Buttons, zippers, embroidery, and other embellishments
The current fashion landscape dictates certain trends across each of these facets of men’s outfits. By understanding these trends, men can curate their wardrobe to align with the prevailing men’s style direction.
Silhouettes & Fits
Some popular silhouettes for men’s fashion include:
- Slim-Fit – A narrow, body-skimming silhouette, especially for suits and trousers
- Athletic/Muscle-Fit – A tapered fit that contours to an athletic build
- Oversized/Relaxed – Baggier, looser items like wide-leg pants or oversized tops
- Cropped – Shorter hemlines showing more ankle, especially on pants and sleeves
Suits
For suit jackets and blazers, some current stylish details include:
- Notched lapels
- Soft shoulders
- Single button closure
- Flap pockets
Suit pants should be slim-fitting with a cropped hem to show off more of your shoes and socks.
Casual Tops
Stylish casual tops for men include:
- Slim-fit crew neck t-shirts
- Henley shirts
- Hoodies and sweatshirts
- Oversized and cropped button-down shirts
- Bomber and trucker jackets
Casual Pants
For casual pants, men should have these essentials in their closet:
- Slim or skinny dark wash jeans
- Chino pants in khaki, olive, navy and black
- Joggers and track pants
Fabrics & Textures
The fabrics and textures you choose make a big impact on any outfit. Some top options include:
- Denim – A menswear staple, especially dark washes without heavy distressing or embellishments
- Cotton – An all-season natural fiber used in everything from t-shirts to button-downs and chinos
- Wool – A polished fabric for suits and cold weather like peacoats and overcoats
- Knits – Sweaters, cardigans and sweatshirts made using comfortable, flexible knit constructions
- Leather – Leather jackets add an edgy, rugged vibe and leather accessories like belts and boots finish a look
- Velvet – Having a velvet blazer or bomber adds texture and elegance for going out
Colors
The dominant colors in men’s fashion include:
- Black – A neutral that’s classic, sharp and pairs with everything
- White – Crisp, bright white looks great in summer button-downs and t-shirts
- Gray – From light heather grays to charcoal, gray shirts and suits are wardrobe staples
- Earth Tones – Rich browns, olive greens and camel shades for pants, sweaters and overcoats
- Pastels – Soft hues like blush, mint green and pale yellow for knits and casual button-downs
You’ll also see bolder colors like cobalt blue, burnt orange and mustard yellow popping up each season – feel free to experiment with these in accessories or statement pieces.
Patterns & Prints
Patterns and prints also evolve regularly in men’s fashion. Some current options include:
- Plaids – Crisp gingham, buffalo plaid or tartan on button-down shirts or suits
- Stripes – Breton stripes on long and short sleeve shirts
- Polka Dots – Playful yet sophisticated pattern for pocket squares, shirts, shorts or ties
- Floral – Floral print button-downs, camp collar shirts or short sleeve shirts
You can also find graphic prints, paisleys, checked patterns and more coming down the runway each fashion month.
Styling Details
Some popular embellishments and accents for men’s fashion include:
- Contrasting or colored thread on seams and hems
- Logo embroidery
- Chest or shoulder patches
- Distressed details on denim and knits
- Metal hardware like grommets, snaps, zippers and buckles
These small styling touches can really make your basics and statement pieces feel fresh and modern.
At the end of the day, fashion is about feeling confident and expressing your personal style. Follow the trends that appeal to you rather than completely overhauling your wardrobe each season. Build your closet around well-fitting versions of classic pieces like jeans, t-shirts, button-downs and suits, then incorporate some trendier silhouettes, colors, fabrics and details based on your personal taste.
Keeping up with magazines, social media and style blogs can help you determine what fashion dictates for men’s wear each year. But don’t be afraid to break the rules and wear what makes you feel your best!
