The world of menswear is entering a period of paradoxical but interesting transformation, where traditional masculine images of muscular bodies and classic suits coexist with the return of lace, florals and ruffled collars. For Fall/Winter 2026, men may no longer be defined by a single silhouette, but rather a spectrum that ranges from instinct to expression, from fierce competition to theatrical extravagance.

If a few seasons ago, it was easy to see that a softer, even more feminine image of men's fashion was on the rise, then by Fall-Winter 2026, a new wave is likely to rise, glorifying traditional masculinity. This trend was clearly predicted during the Fall-Winter 2026 fashion conference, chaired by trend forecaster Edwin van den Hoek.
Think of the bodybuilding craze, the muscular physique, the tattoos and the desire to survive in the wild. This return to the &ldquo;original&rdquo; male model has many causes, one of which is the expansion of the &ldquo;manosphere&rdquo; on social media. A community that opposes feminism believes that men are being treated unfairly. This phenomenon was further encouraged by former US President Donald Trump&rsquo;s public denial of the existence of genders other than male and female and his desire to eliminate a series of words such as &ldquo;feminist,&rdquo; &ldquo;transgender,&rdquo; &ldquo;disability,&rdquo; and &ldquo;diversity&rdquo; from everyday life.

A spirit of resistance

The &ldquo;competition&rdquo; this season has two nuances. One is the confrontation with technology, as advances in robotics and 3D printing open up new design languages. Shoes from Oxman or Taware Kicks are proof: made from biopolymer and completely biodegradable.
The other side is the spirit of speed. Racing, from F1 to motorcycles, is ubiquitous on the runways, fueled by brands like Reiss x McLaren and Louis Vuitton x Formula One. The cultural boost comes from the big screen too - the movie Formula One starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris helped bring the look onto the fashion scene.

Primitive Pride

The second theme Van den Hoek introduces is &ldquo;Disconnection,&rdquo; where men return to their survival instincts. Outdoor-inspired pieces are upgraded: zip-off pants in version 2.0, a Nike Ispa cape transformed into a tent. This style makes technical details like cargo pockets, drawstrings, and buckles the centre of attention.
Nature is also present through materials and patterns: fur (real and faux) covered the Dior and Todd Snyder runways; new-style camouflage, no longer military patterns but colour-blends that simulate tree bark and moss.

The Nostalgia Enchantment

Fashion is constantly nostalgic. &ldquo;Rebirth&rdquo; is a greeting from the past, where traditional patterns such as checks and stripes are renewed by enlarging, blurring or distorting proportions. Along with that is the spectacular return of the suit: lighter, more flexible and not as rigid as before the pandemic.

Dramatic and luxurious

The historical flow continues in the theme &ldquo;Drama&rdquo;. Ruffled shirts and classic scarves are interpreted in modern materials, creating a theatrical and exaggerated beauty. This is the realm of unbridled luxury. Where Jacquard embroidery, Baroque patterns, Corsage, pearls, jewelry cover the body.
&ldquo;This is how men show class. Not metaphorically, but overwhelmingly,&rdquo; Van den Hoek said. A clear example was the 2025 Met Gala with the theme &ldquo;Black Dandyism,&rdquo; where fashionistas did not hesitate to highlight themselves with all the most brilliant things.

Although the conference began with a bleak picture of the times, Van den Hoek believed in the light behind the clouds. That next season, men won’t have to choose between tough and soft, because they can be both. And fashion has room for that flexibility.

Fall/Winter 2026 Runways: The Transformation of Masculinity in Contemporary Fashion

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