New menswear trends you need to know

From London and Milan to Paris and New York, the Autumn/Winter 2016 menswear provided plenty of different takes on how guys should dress. Now that the season is finally upon us, we take a look back at what some of the designers showcased on runways and distilled them into five solid trends.

Here is the roundup of the styles you must absolutely have in your wardrobe.

Check mate

The print is nothing revolutionary. Plaid, check or tartan – no matter what you call it – has already been used and abused numerous times. That said, the motif is witnessing a renewed fervency in the world of menswear.

Dior presented checks to a maximum effect in a range of outerwear. Bottega Veneta similarly channeled masculine elegance, but with structured and tailored pieces. Fendi however, kept the use to a more relaxed and casual manner.

From left: Fendi, Dior Homme, Bottega Veneta.

Knit wit

You can’t run away from knits when it comes to Autumn/Winter. Whether in the form of sleek ribbed designs or more crafty, handmade creations, they add a certain sense of must-have cosiness to the season.

Prada presented knits in the form of quilt designs – colourful and clashing. This was a far cry from Ermenegildo Zegna’s interpretation, which was neutral and urban.

Missoni, on the other hand, saw the appeal in the earthy and luxe.

From left: Missoni, Emernegildo Zegna, Prada.

On the bright side

Pink is in – once again. Whether you like it or hate it, the colour is making a definite comeback for men. Runways are seen awash with bright shades such as fuschia, flamingo and magenta – each jostling for attention amongst rich designs.

Gucci’s eccentric reference to the seventies for instance, was an overload of pink. While Kenzo made a powerful statement by pairing it with graphic prints, Moschino went for supersaturated clothes using the colour.

Bombs away

The bomber has emerged as the undisputed king when it comes to wardrobe essentials. Whether worn loose in a casual manner or shrunken ala 1990s style, the jacket is a “one design fits all” kind of clothing item.

Either choose from Givenchy’s modernised bombers with graffiti accents, or opt for Burberry’s classic designs in muted colours. The ones from Emporio Armani however, have a more athletic, almost military feel to them.

From left: Givenchy, Burberry, Emporio Armani.

The shining

In fashion, being flashy is not necessary a bad thing. Don’t think of it as being a showoff, but more in the sense of making a statement. Metallics has always been a favourite trend, and it is making a comeback.

Versace paid tribute to sports and space, with the themes melding into one futuristic collection. Foiled nylon in gold, platinum and rose-gold framed the bodies of Calvin Klein’s model on the runway. Dsquared2 was seen sending out oversized coats lined in metallic silver.