As an online retailer, staying ahead of the fashion curve is crucial for capturing your audience’s attention and driving sales. With S/S 25 on the horizon, it’s time to start planning your men’s collection. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into the essential details that will set your range apart, using invaluable insights. From stylish stripes to tactile textures, discover how to justify higher price points and create a sustainable, standout collection.
Table of Contents
1. Stylish stripes to harness #WorkExperience and resort themes
2. Tactile textures for practical, investment-worthy pieces
3. Weathered textures for a modern, dystopian aesthetic
4. Eye-catching embellishments to redefine masculinity
5. Mixing materials for a sporty, retro look
6. #Openwork for lightweight, textured appeal
7. #Workwear aspects for utilitarian sophistication
8. Minimal approach for quiet luxury and sustainability
Stylish stripes to harness #WorkExperience and resort themes
Stripes are a perennial favorite, but for S/S 25, it’s all about making them bold, impactful, and #NotSoClassic. Look to nature-inspired versions or colorful iterations that are loud and fun. Reinvent preppy stripes for a new context, updating classic styles while keeping simple stripes as a staple. Be optimistic with color and lean into texture to make your designs stand out.
To capitalize on this trend, select commercial stripe variations that align with the #WorkExperience and resort themes. Google Trends data shows that searches for stripes are up +27ppt YoY, with ‘Hickory stripes’ emerging as a top related search topic at +100% YoY. Key brands to watch include S.S Daley, Rainmaker, CDG Shirt, Çanaku, Silage, Botter, and Gucci.
Tactile textures for practical, investment-worthy pieces
Texture is king for S/S 25, with #ContemporaryQuilting, #HyperTexture, and fringing taking center stage. By focusing on the hand-feel of your designs, you can create practical, tactile, and fun pieces that affirm #MainCharacterEnergy. Opt for #3DTextures, unique #Quilting patterns, and tactile fibers to rework familiar styles and encourage customers to invest in your products.
Google Trends data also shows a +140% increase in searches for ‘Quilted vest pattern’ and a 35% YoY rise in searches for embroidered shirts. Key brands to watch include MACKAGE, Chet Lo, ERL, Eckhaus Latta, Fulan, and Feng Chen Wang.
Weathered textures for a modern, dystopian aesthetic
As festival culture and #90sGrunge themes continue to attract contemporary consumers, #DistressedTextures are a must-have for your S/S 25 collection. Combine #AcidWash and #BleachedDenim looks with #AgedAppeal and #DistressedTextures to create a modern dystopian aesthetic. Rely on garment-dyed, stone-washed, faded, sun-bleached, and over-dyed fabrics to achieve a weathered look.
Google Trends data shows a +78% YoY increase in searches for garment-dyed items, reflecting global consumer interest. Searches for ‘ripped jeans’ and ‘ripped shirt’ are also up +100% and +41%, respectively. Key brands to watch include Badson, Eckhaus Latta, Café Mountain, Études, Acne Studios, and Levi’s.
Eye-catching embellishments to redefine masculinity
Invest in eye-catching embellishment techniques to channel the #RedefiningMasculinity and #DarkNights themes. Choose unusual placements for embroidery, crystal ornamentation, and found items, looking beyond tees and shirts to capitalize on the trend. With the #Embellishment tag well-populated on the Fashion Feed, this trend is growing and becoming more elaborate.
Intentional positioning is essential, as all-over embellished pieces can become expensive and less commercial. Find a unique and memorable way of detailing your garments to make an impact. Key brands to watch include Dior Men, Amiri, Aimé Leon Dore, MSGM, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Igor Dadona.
Mixing materials for a sporty, retro look
Use paneling and color-blocking to capitalize on sporty and retro themes for S/S 25. Pair contrasted colors with lightweight materials to achieve a mature, considered look. Use two shades of one color story in different qualities, and employ clever placement to create intrigue and give your pieces personality. Move on from generic geometric shapes and design playful ways of combining fabrics.
Pinterest data also shows a +76% search interest in patchwork, with a +4ppt increase YoY. Key brands to watch include Sacai, AMBUSH, Junya Watanabe, CDG Shirt, adidas Originals, Martine Rose, and Tommy Hilfiger.
#Openwork for lightweight, textured appeal
Continue to source and develop meshy, open structures that draw on the trend for texture and the #RedefiningMasculinity and #RetroResort themes. The variances in gauges of yarn or the spacing between stitches will inform the complexity of your pieces. Source open textures that are correct for your market level and use 3D knitting technology to push this category towards superfine and complex seamless products.
To enliven your offering, opt for #GelatoPastels and #DopamineBrights, as neutrals tend to dominate this category. Google Trends data shows a 98% search interest in ‘pointelle’ and a 95% search interest in ‘mesh’, up +20ppt YoY. Key brands to watch include Bode, Drôle de Monsieur, Botter, Honor the Gift, LGN Louis Gabriel Nouchi, Aknvas, and Baziszt.
#Workwear aspects for utilitarian sophistication
Add #workwear details to your range to capitalize on the enthusiasm for utilitarian features. Rely on these details as a grounding aspect to familiar pieces, such as cargo pockets with rivets, flap pockets with double-needle stitching, gussets, and contrast stitching. Apply these details to unexpected places and use modern tech materials, pre-washed fabrics, or leather for a sophisticated look.
Opt for mid-weight cotton canvas, bast fibers, and wax-coated fabrics for natural weather protection. Google Trends data shows a significant increase in searches for ‘contrast stitching’ (+41% YoY) and ‘patch pockets’ (+29% YoY). Key brands to watch include Sacai, Carhartt, Junya Watanabe, Haven, Randy’s Garments, and Ben Davies.
Minimal approach for quiet luxury and sustainability
Lean into clean and pared-back design to harness the spread of #Minimalism and quiet luxury across product categories. #EnhancedNeutrals, #ToneOnTone outfits, and #LowKeyLuxury elements are the foundation of minimal detailing. Clean up seams, hide buttons under a placket, or cover a zipper. Quiet fabrics will accentuate the form, while combining voluminous silhouettes with in-seam pockets and blind hems.
Create simple transseasonal pieces that appeal to sustainability-focused consumers looking for investment purchases rooted in quality and garment development. Google Trends data shows a +27% YoY increase in searches for ‘hidden plackets’ and a 72% rise in searches for ‘covered buttons’. Key brands to watch include Studio Nicholson, The Row, Dior Men, Zegna, Nordisk, and Auralee.
Conclusion
By incorporating these key men’s details into your S/S 25 collection, you’ll be well-positioned to capture your audience’s attention and drive sales. From stylish stripes and tactile textures to eye-catching embellishments and minimalist approaches, these trends offer a wealth of opportunities to elevate your range. As you plan your S/S 25 collection, keep these insights in mind. By staying ahead of the curve and offering a mix of trendy and timeless pieces, you’ll create a collection that resonates with your customers and keeps them coming back for more.
