5 stylish trends I’m stealing from the boys at Paris Men’s Fashion Week

By Erin Lindsay
22nd Jan 2020

5 stylish trends I’m stealing from the boys at Paris Men’s Fashion Week

From colours to silhouettes to micro-trends we can’t wait to try, Paris Men’s Fashion Week has provided us with lots of inspiration

We love Fashion Weeks here at IMAGE, and poring over street style and catwalk snaps of the season’s upcoming key looks is one of our favourite pastimes. But one such week we sadly don’t give enough attention to is Men’s Fashion Week. In our excitement to view the feminine take on 2020 fashion, we overlook what menswear has to offer — and in 2020, it’s a lot.

For the first Fashion Week of the year, Paris Men’s Fashion Week offered inspiration everywhere from silhouttes to colours to textures, and gave us a lot of styling inspiration that can easily be transferred between men and women’s pieces. Thankfully, fashion (although the industry still has a long way to go) is becoming more inclusive and progressive by the year. Unisex styles that work on any body type are becoming more mainstream — which means more options for men, women and non-binary fashion lovers.

Perusing through the snaps of this year’s Parisian fashion fest, we spotted these five styling tips that will serve us well into 2020.

Half-zip knits

Hermés AW20

Half-zip jumpers and polo-neck knits are taking both men and womenswear by storm this season (as seen on the Hermés catwalk above) and is fast becoming our practical fashion favourite. Think of it as golf-course chic — don’t be afraid to pair with some wide leg check trousers and Stan Smiths to complete the look.

We love…

Knitted jumper, €19.99 from H&M

Slouchy silhouettes

J.W Anderson SS20

A slouch fit is in on everything from trousers to outerwear this year, and it has a lot of benefits — suits any and every body shape, comfortable, and perfect for layering in the cold winter months. The trick is to cinch the piece to one area of the body to create definition and shape, so that you aren’t just a floating head on top of a mass of material. This could mean anything from a cuffed ankle on slouchy trousers, to a cinched waist via a chain belt like J.W Anderson above.

We love…

ASOS DESIGN hybrid check trench coat, €131.34 from ASOS

Vintage patchwork

Vintage-inspired designs were everywhere during Men’s Fashion Week, from the ’70s faux fur and sunglasses at Dries Van Noten to the punk-tastic print clashing at Commes Des Garcons (although their choice of wig for the mostly white line-up of male models should have been considered more). One designer that did the vintage look deliciously well was Emily Adams Bode, who, through her eponymous label, served us patchwork dreams in ’70’s autumnal colours. The best part about a vintage look? The easiest place to buy it is vintage.

We love…

Vintage shag patchwork jacket, €147.20 from Etsy

Embellishments for day or night

Who said sparkles are just for night time? A dash of party-ready extravagance is an excellent addition to any outfit — it’s a mood-lifter, an eye-catcher and is easier to pull off than you would think. Dior Homme’s intricate coat is a whole other level, but there are plenty of embellished pieces on the high street to jazz up a work outfit. Start with the shoes and work your way up.

We love…

Silver embellished pointed toe sandals, €60 from River Island

Neutrals are your friend

If you think beige is boring, you better rethink your wardrobe for 2020. Muted caramels and toffees (which are just much nicer words than beige) are about to become the backbone of your wardrobe this year, and not just for basics — beige can be a stand-out piece and top off an outfit better than any pop of colour. Go head to toe biscuit like Jacquemus, or enhance the look with chunky gold jewellery.