Men's Spring/Summer 2018 Trend Report

01

80S DAD LOOK

Demna Gvasalia of Balenciaga takes the stereotyped look of the 80s Dad and turns it upside down, giving an updated spin to otherwise uninspired pairings of white and striped shirts, oversized blazers with structured shoulders, pleated trousers and straight-cut jeans. The trick is to mix and match, and Fendi has it down pat with its own line of caps, utility outerwear, leather slippers and high-waist flat-front trousers.

02

COLOUR YOUR WEEKEND

Don't shy away from pastels - the runways were awash with them. Pink, for one, successfully made the crossover into androgynous territory - popping up in suits at Ermenegildo Zegna, casual jackets at Fendi and Dunhill, and jeans at Tom Ford. Pale mustard was a recurring pastel at Berluti - seen on zip-up jackets, trousers and everyday tops - while baby blue pairings look sharp at Fendi and Acne Studios. Hone your styling prowess and work your pastels with a colour-blocking theme as seen at Dries Van Noten.

03

WORK & PLAY BASICS UPDATED

Make room for baggy trousers this spring. Hermès and Perry Ellis pair theirs with crewneck sweaters for a fuss-free approach. At Lanvin, Lucas Ossendrijver styles wide-legged trousers using out-of-the-box layering techniques - note the polo shirt under a high-neck top, and an oversized sleeveless mesh top worn over a white T-shirt. Slim trousers are a perennial favourite but make them on-trend with a high waist. Prada showed off how you can make it work in the boardroom, while Lemaire and Issey Miyake presented more laidback options. As for tops, 70s-style military-inspired shirts with double breasted pockets are back in demand. Look for a slouchier shape like those at Hermès and Dries Van Noten for a more contemporary vibe.

04

EVENING WEAR FOR MEN

It's not unusual to wear pink, and it's perfectly fine to wear a brocade suit or an embellished shirt. Welcome to the new normal in menswear. A man's evening jacket is akin to a woman's evening dress and this spring, the options are plenty - from couture-worthy textured floral tufts and silk-fringed versions at Alexander McQueen, to a silver brocade suit at Y/Project. Balmain, a house known for its over-the-top designs, presents its signature tasselled style design by way of a sweatshirt with an asymmetrical hemline. But if you're looking for something super extravagant, look no further than Dolce & Gabbana's decadent suit options decorated with sequins and embroidery.

05

SPORTSWEAR JACKETS ON CASUAL FRIDAYS

Get out of the corporate attire box and swap the relaxed blazer for a casual sports utility jacket. Everything stays the same - the crisp tailored shirt and trousers as illustrated by Silvia Venturini Fendi who presented a masterclass of looks accentuated with reversible suede sportswear jackets. For the adventurous few, why not skip the shirt and tuck your sportswear jacket into your work trousers ala Balenciaga?

06

BEACHWEAR GOES TO TOWN

It's been trending for a few seasons now, but the Hawaiian shirt looks set to stay. Interestingly, rising hemlines are a dominant feature this Spring, as seen from the shorts on the catwalk. But how do you make beachwear city-worthy? Do like Louis Vuitton and pair the shirt with baggy knee-length slacks and leather loafers, or with jeans and a trench coat like Balenciaga. Of course, you can keep it classy and pair the colourful floral shirt with a suit as seen at Paul Smith. As for shorts, count on Thom Browne's preppy shorts suit or opt for a baggier fit as seen at Salvatore Ferragamo, and match it with a sweatshirt and masculine loafers.