From Paris to Milan, every runway trend to bookmark for the warmer months.
What makes up the ultimate summer wardrobe? At this year’s spring/summer 2026 menswear season, some of the world’s foremost ready-to-wear designers made their cases. From Paris to Milan, the runways boasted a bevy of different looks, styles, and imitable summery vibes. But amid all the variety, a few key trends broke through to define menswear for the warmer season to come.
While slouchy, relaxed tailoring continues to be the M.O. when it comes to suits, regardless of the weather, a new colour scheme of playful pastels and brighter shades speaks to the desire for a little lightness and whimsy in what we’re going to wear in the coming months. Summer classics—from crochet knits to exotic embroidery—evoke vacations and sunnier times, while bold silhouettes and shorter and shorter hems signal that, men, it’s time to take a risk.
Between the eccentricities of Prada and the sleekness of Saint Laurent, below, GQ pulls out the key spring/summer 2026 trends you should know about.
Slouchy suiting
Roomy, oversized tailoring pulled straight out of the ’70s has been trending since Anthony Vaccarello started with the slouchy suits last year for Saint Laurent. Sending more relaxed yet impeccably cut sets down the spring/summer 2026 runway, Saint Laurent’s signature style continued to imprint its stamp. Others, from Giorgio Armani’s slinky versions swimming on the frame to Zegna’s draped blazers and free-flowing slacks, also proved that this is the power suit of the season.
Playful pastels
While last season looked to a lot of dark, monochromatic colours, the new spring/summer presentations called for playful pops of pastel palettes. Just ask Miuccia Prada, Anthony Vaccarello, and Pharrell. Across all three shows, pastel greens, pinks, blues and more gentle shades were used for pants, knits, blazers and suits. Other runways joining the lightly colourful trend included Giorgio Armani, Zegna, Dolce & Gabbana and more.
Flip flopped
Summer’s in, and the dogs are out. At Lemaire, Prada, Hermès and Armani, flip flops reigned supreme. At the presentations of Auralee and The Row, more open-toed sandals popped up. A classic footwear choice for the warmer months, this season, the traditionally casual shoe has been elevated with warm leathers, unique strap designs and woven embellishments, so that you and your toes are as dressed up as possible.
Shorter shorts
The shorts are getting shorter on this season’s runways. No doubt riding off the back of the micro shorts trend that has been dominating womenswear collections for the past couple seasons, now, menswear is getting the rising hem treatment. At Wales Bonner, Zegna and Saint Laurent, relaxed tailored shorts were paired with everything from blazers to hoodies. In London, Martine Rose brought back denim short shorts for men, and Prada kicked off its runway with the shortest of them all.
Collarless cuts
Men, it’s time to cut the collars. From collarless bombers at Hermès to Mandarin collar suits at Giorgio Armani, jackets, coats and blazers of all kinds are getting the streamlined treatment this season. Whether they’re silk, suede, plaid or leather, the designers are making the case for a no-collar summer. More befitting balmy weather, and effortlessly elevated yet inherently casual, it’s a seasonal silhouette we can get behind.
Stripes on stripes
Add some stripes to your seasonal wardrobe, then add some more. From the striped suits at Louis Vuitton, to the wide array of striped shirt variations—from business to tees and polos—at Dior, Hermès, Junya Watanabe, and Craig Green, it’s pretty clear that while polka dots are dominating womenswear, stripes are the menswear pattern of the season.
Silky sleeves
If there was ever a time to don a silky, maybe even sheer, blouse, it’s spring/summer 2026. Saint Laurent served a series of crisp see-through blouses in bright colours, while Wales Bonner brought paisleys and florals into the mix with silky ones, and Hermès finished its runway with a couple of neutral, draped tops. Extra points if—like on all three runways—your silky top comes with a neck scarf or tie of some kind.
Crocheted up
What is the best kind of knit for summer? An open-weave crochet one, of course. From Zegna to Armani, Études Studios and more, the airy wool design was spread out across loose jumpers and shawl-like tops, polos and even vests. Be they in earthy neutrals or bright pastels, they’re already proving the perfect breathable cover-up for the warmer days ahead.
Kooky knits
For the cooler spring days when a crochet knit doesn’t cut it, though, why not turn to the bright, kooky statement sweaters that went down the runways of Dior, Wales Bonner and Junya Watanabe? In vibrant shades and eclectic grandpa-core silhouettes and knit styles, this trend is proof that some pieces are just too cool to be refined to the colder months only.
Embellished and embroidered
How do you dress up your summer knits, coats and shirts? From Louis Vuitton to Dior and Kartik Research the answer is embellishments and embroidery. Between knitted roses, bohemian florals, and a colourful zoo of exotic animals and plants, this technique makes any garment fit for the summery season. A call to embrace a bit of whimsy come the warmer months, too, nothing says vacation like a palm tree-covered jacket, after all.
