de trend ‘zachte mannelijkheid’ en voorspellingen voor key items

The SS27 menswear shopping season kicks off on June 16 with Pitti Uomo 110 in Florence, followed by the menswear shows in Milan and Paris. One of the defining themes shaping the season is the continued rise of “soft masculinity.” This is an aesthetic that moves away from rigid, overtly aggressive styling in favor of a more tactile, expressive and emotionally charged approach. What was once a niche subculture has now become mainstream.

This shift is fueled by a growing resistance to increasingly flat, screen-dominated digital life. Consumers experience what psychologists describe as a ‘haptic deficit’, a desire for physical and sensory stimuli. As a result, a simple cotton shirt is no longer enough to attract attention in a retail environment. Shoppers are looking for a sensory reward.

Designers and brands are responding with richly textured fabrics, tactile surfaces and visually appealing patterns. Tactile materials, dimensional finishes and vibrant checks play a key role. They appeal not only to the eye, but also to the desire for a more immersive, physical experience.

Here are ten key items to keep an eye on all season long.

The checked shirt with matching tie

Seen at: Pitti Uomo SS26.
From Thrash Bespoke, a short-sleeved tattersall check shirt with a matching, integrated tie. Available in muted earth tones, including olive green, dark brown and soft tan.

The jacquard sweater with half zipper

Seen at: Louis Vuitton SS26.
A striped jacquard sweater with half zip and fringe details in purple and cream colored 100 percent wool, with coarse jacquard stitches.

The geometric knitted spencer

Seen at: Hermès SS26.
A bright green, geometric knitted spencer with alternating plain green checks and textured, openwork moss green zigzag panels.

The mixed knitted sweater with elbow patches

Seen at: Wales Bonner SS26.
A textured, heathered gray and white mouliné knit sweater with contrasting cream canvas shoulder and elbow patches.

The short suede utility jacket

Seen at: Kidsuper SS26.
A structural, multi-textured short suede utility jacket with patchwork panels in cream and beige, and asymmetrical pocket details.

The cotton patchwork jacket

Seen at: Paris Fashion Week Streets SS26.
A KAPITAL Boro Drizzler zip-up jacket, featuring a distressed patchwork design and sashiko stitching.

The madras check utility suit

A half-zip hoodie jacket and matching knee-length shorts in a multicolored madras check.

The slim-fit trousers with glen check

Seen at: Junya Watanabe SS26
Slim-fit trousers in glen check with a seam that runs slightly up over the knee for an anatomical, pre-shaped fit. Shown with a matching slim-cut jacket.

The relaxed trousers with texture

Seen at: Louis Vuitton SS26.
Printed cargo trousers with wide legs and an abstract, cloud-like tie-dye motif, mixed with fine checked and block patterns.

The patchwork duster coat

Seen at: PDF SS26.
A floor-length, oversized, deconstructed patchwork duster coat with front panels in olive green check and a back panel and sleeves in dark washed denim.