All the looks I'll be wearing to the AW/26 Menswear shows
Ahead of Florence and Milan, here are the outfits I plan to pop whilst on the road
A new year in fashion means only one thing: the menswear shows are about to roll their way through Florence, Milan, and Paris.
As always, they’re unconscionably early in the calendar - when even getting dressed to pop to the shops feels like a Herculean task, let alone assembling looks polished enough to face the fash pack. So this season, I’ve decided to take the stress out of the equation by planning my outfits well in advance.
So here, to keep myself organised (and hopefully inspire you along the way), are a few key looks I’ll be wearing during my time on the road.
1 | The Failsafe Look
Just before Christmas, I treated myself to this Bottega Veneta jacket - a festive gift from me to me. After spending the better part of the holidays debating whether to return it, I’ve decided it’s not just a keeper but possibly the most TEO garment I’ve ever owned.
The jacket’s beautifully long sleeves and crisp silhouette make it special. It’s perfect for layering on colder days but just as sharp over a T-shirt indoors - versatility, after all, is the holy grail.
A$AP Rocky wore this jacket with matching trousers, a shirt, and a tie at the Fashion Awards in December, but for me, it shines brightest paired with complementary navy separates. Think an insulating knit from Studio Nicholson (Florence in January demands warmth), some easy Issey Miyake sweatpants, and a scarf neatly knotted at the neck to keep the jacket collar popped.
As for footwear? My new pink Nike Cortez trainers will add just the right zing of contrasting-yet-harmonious colour to offset the blues
2 | The Day-Into-Evening Look
For the days when I won’t have time to change before dinner, this is the look I’ll be relying on. The Dries van Noten blazer, with its oversized cut, doubles as an outer layer, offering all the warmth of a coat without compromising on eleganza. To up the insulation game, I’ll throw on a fine tonal scarf, adding both cosiness and texture.
Instead of predictable grey trousers, I’ll go for a pleated pair in a rich brown which will harmonise with the blazer’s roominess while avoiding tonal monotony. A black sweater underneath will provide that crucial sense of contrast and depth.
As for shoes, I’m still deliberating. It’s between The Row’s film-soled loafers, which bring a sleek, polished finish, or a pair of Clark’s slippers - more budget-friendly but equally viable, provided most of the upper stays hidden beneath the trouser hem.
3 | The Last Day Look
You might have noticed that I have a soft spot for Bottega Veneta jackets, and this pyjama-style iteration is no exception. With the subtle thread of red running through the fabric, I plan to highlight that touch by pairing it with this surprisingly affordable cashmere sweater from Massimo Dutti.
To balance the look, I might layer an officer-collar shirt beneath the sweater, adding a crisp edge that pairs perfectly with these white trousers I scored in the Zara sale (honestly, the cut rivals far pricier options). Rounding it off are my grey deerskin suede boat shoes from Saman Amel - any excuse to wear them, really - which complement the hue of the jacket.
4 | The Cold Day Look
This oversized tweed Prada blazer is undeniably a suitcase hog, but there’s no way I’m leaving it behind. Being an attention seeking piece, it calls for understated, countryside-inspired separates that complement the tweedy texture.
I’m thinking a soft grey lambswool sweater, crisp regatta-ready white jeans, and a pair of chunky apron-toed shoes.
The blazer made its runway debut during Prada’s AW/24 show paired with a brightly-colored swim cap, which I’m nodding to with my own twist: a bright orange Our Legacy beanie. Not only will it add an essential pop of color to the look, but it’ll also keep me warm when the Milanese winds start to bite.
5 | The Sleek Look
I’m completely smitten with this band-collared, double-faced jacket I picked up from Massimo Dutti last week - not least because it’s finally solved the puzzle of how to style the Bottega trousers (pictured below) that had been leaving me sartorially stumped.
To avoid the outfit veering into overly monochromatic territory, I’ll add a rich burgundy neckerchief (cashmere, of course, to keep out the chill), a pair of suede Loewe slippers, and tortoiseshell sunglasses from Sunspel for an extra touch of warmth.
And there you have it: my shows wardrobe. Now, if only packing it all were as easy...
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Good article btw
Good cord trousers have been really hard to find for the last couple of years but I finally found some really good ones in Arket for a very reasonable £77.oo in Navy.