Menswear Highlights from the SS22 Runways

Key Takeaways

Blazers and Short Sleeve Button-Downs: Timeless Staples with a Modern Twist

Blazers and short sleeve button-down shirts emerged as fashion bets for SS22, reflecting their ongoing popularity among edgy and trendy consumers. The short sleeve button-down, with its casual, vacation-ready appeal, gained traction thanks to its versatility in styling—often worn unbuttoned with nothing underneath. Meanwhile, blazers, a year-round favorite, were reimagined with bold colors and unconventional pairings, such as Marni’s blazer with no shirt underneath. Both garments are set to experience a moderate growth rate of 10-11%, making them must-haves for SS22 collections.

Blurred Lines Between Menswear and Womenswear

The SS22 season highlighted a growing trend: the blurring of gender distinctions in fashion. Traditionally feminine elements like cut-outs, low-rise bottoms, dresses, and sheer fabrics made significant appearances in menswear collections. Designers like Molly Goddard and Thom Browne incorporated these details into menswear looks, signaling a shift toward more gender-fluid fashion. Dresses for men, in particular, gained traction, breaking boundaries and challenging conventional notions of masculinity.

Outerwear: Reinventing Classics for an Edgy Appeal

Outerwear continued to dominate SS22 runways, with classic silhouettes like trench coats, blazers, and bomber jackets being reinterpreted for a modern audience. These timeless pieces, however, are most favored by edgy consumers, reflecting their adaptability to experimental designs. Bomber jackets, for example, appeared in unexpected colors like Lanvin’s purple version, while trench coats were offered in various fabrics and colors beyond the traditional beige. Despite a slight decrease in visibility (-3% to -8%), these garments remain safe bets due to their enduring popularity.

Utilitarianism and Theatrics in Accessories

Utilitarian trends, driven by the need for practicality, continued to shape SS22 menswear collections. Rainproof outerwear and purposeful accessories, such as wearable cases and bottle carriers, aligned with the growing demand for functionality. Simultaneously, accessories like big pendant necklaces, delicate scarves, and body pieces brought an element of theatrical flair to otherwise functional wardrobes. These accessories, favored by trendy and edgy consumers, add a layer of expressiveness, balancing the utilitarian focus with eye-catching details.

Emerging Color Trends: Blue, Green, and Orange

Bright and bold colors dominated the SS22 menswear collections. Blue and green, two of the most prevalent shades, were applied across all garment categories, from pants to outerwear. Kelly green was particularly notable, continuing its rise in popularity thanks to brands like Bottega Veneta. Meanwhile, bright orange, often styled in head-to-toe ensembles, emerged as a statement color. Despite stable behavior on social media, these colors are considered safe bets for SS22, offering a fresh and optimistic palette for the summer season.

By analyzing these key menswear trends, brands can better understand the evolving preferences of their edgy, trendy, and mainstream consumers and strategically plan their SS22 collections accordingly.

 

Other useful resources on 2022 fashion trends:
- Lululemon spring 2022 athleisure trends
- Mens crops tops spring 2022 trend
- Spring 2022: tenniscore trend forecast