The essential menswear trends for fall with key styling tips for each
How to work these bold looks into your wardrobe, even if your look is more classic or minimalist.
Oversized shapes, allover logos, bold patterns, and plenty of statement accessories. The designer menswear trends this season are both exciting and adventurous, but the reality is that it can feel challenging or bewildering to incorporate most fashion-forward runway looks directly into real-life scenarios, especially if your personal style leans more classic or minimalist.
If you want to refresh your look for fall but are not sure where to start, take the time to distill the top trends and themes into discrete styling ideas and must-have items that feel new, but will still make sense when mixed in with your existing wardrobe. The key is to go for pieces that complement your lifestyle and go-to outfits, but are inspiring enough that they serve to update your look for the new season, too.
If you love plaid, go for pinstripe
Classic and yet slightly subversive, the updated pinstripe suits shown on the fall/winter 2018 runways at Alexander McQueen, Versace and Maison Margiela have interesting, slightly fitted proportions and are styled with unexpected accessories such as white sneakers and work boots. Invest in a pinstripe suit in timeless wool cashmere, and you'll have a whole new way to dress up your favourite rock t-shirts and merino knits.
S.2018 Suit, $999, tigerofsweden.com
If you love logo tees, go for logos all over
The monogram print is back, big time. Wearing a designer piece with a single logo is one thing, but doubling or tripling down with an OTT allover print jacket or head-to-toe logos is another — as seen at the Louis Vuitton and Fendi menswear shows. To successfully pull this trend off, consider sticking with a monochromatic palette, and definitely don't mix your labels.
Champion Diagonal Type Logo Sweatshirt, $80, simons.ca
If you love denim, go Western
American Southwest-inflected looks ruled at Calvin Klein 205W39NYC and Dsquared2 this season, and for good reason. It's the perfect time to trade in those plain shirts and blazers in your closet for something a little bit more current. Namely: a cowboy shirt or western jacket, ideally to be worn with square-toed cowboy boots or a great pair of ever-so-slightly cropped trousers.
Colorblock Button-Down Western Shirt, $72, urbanoutfitters.com
If you love the bucket hat, go for a designer baseball cap
If the bucket hat was ubiquitous on the spring runways, the fall runways were all about the baseball cap. Gucci did an actual collaboration with Major League Baseball, while Balenciaga designed logo caps (and other pieces) that benefit the World Food Programme. Here's to not worrying about bad hair days this season!
A.P.C. Alex Houndstooth Cotton-Blend Baseball Cap, about $143.04, mrporter.com
If you love a fanny pack, go for a crossbody bag
A stylish fanny pack (sleek, spacious) is still essential, but men's crossbody bags and purses made an appearance in many collections, including at Dries Van Noten. A crossbody keeps your hands free and makes commuting by bike a breeze, and adds visual interest to any outfit. Look for a structured, boxy shape with a strap that's not too long for your torso.
L.12.12 Business Vertical Leather Bag, $195, lacoste.com
If you love utility boots, go for a hiking boot
True, '90s-era boots like Timberlands and Dr. Martens are comfortable and look great with virtually everything you own. But for something a bit more out there, take the next step and grab a pair of clunky hiking boots. Italian label MSGM had some great styles in its fall collection, but virtually any outdoors-inspired boots with great treads will do.
Cryos Hiker, $499.99, thenorthface.com
Truc Nguyen is a Toronto-based writer, editor and stylist. Follow her at @trucnguyen.