The Milan Fashion Week Men’s Spring/Summer 2026 (SS 2026), taking place from June 20th to 24th, 2025, once again proved why Milan is considered the global hub of menswear. Esteemed brands such as Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, and Giorgio Armani were joined by emerging designers and international innovators, creating a vibrant mix of heritage, innovation, and worldwide narratives.
Spanning the city’s iconic buildings and cultural landmarks, this season’s presentations were more than just fashion shows; they were thoughtful reflections on the evolving definitions of masculinity, minimalism, and adaptability in a rapidly changing world.
Photo credit: Wallpaper Magazine
Legacy Brands Define and Refine Menswear
1. Prada: A Quiet Revolution
Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons’ SS 2026 collection for Prada was all about finding tranquility in the midst of madness. The show’s setting, a strangely minimalist space within Fondazione Prada, set the stage perfectly. The clothes? Think clean lines, stretchy micro-shorts, crisp cotton shirts, richly textured knitwear, and relaxed tailoring; each piece whispered a subtle rebellion.
Earthy tones took a backseat to softer hues like pale pink, lime, and icy blue, with fabrics that draped and moved rather than being stiff and structured. Prada’s not about jumping on bandwagons; they’re crafting the emotional heartbeat of modern menswear, where strength comes from embracing softness.
2. Dolce & Gabbana: Lounging in Luxury on the Milanese Runway
Dolce & Gabbana dubbed them the “Pyjama Boys,” and the name said it all: comfort was the star of the show. Their fun yet sensual collection took luxurious loungewear from the bedroom to the streets. Picture loose-fitting pajama sets, delicate silk shirts, crinkly suits, and fake croc materials in cheerful pastels. The models strutting down the runway embodied a cool, effortless vibe – think lazy Sunday mornings steeped in espresso, sunshine, and pure elegance.
Sunglasses, slippers, and vintage accessories added a touch of classic Riviera charm, ideal for men who want to feel both carefree and decadent.
3. Giorgio Armani: A Journey Through Desert Landscapes and Worldly Pleasures
Even as he bounced back from some recent health problems, Giorgio Armani’s creative spark shone through brightly. His long-time partner, Leo Dell’Orco, unveiled a collection bursting with a sense of wanderlust: think flowing tunics, roomy trousers, linens in warm desert hues, glimmery touches, and practical crossbody bags. The designs nodded to Moroccan tiles and Berber motifs, bringing in a burst of character while still keeping that classic Armani understatement.
The Emporio Armani and EA7 labels, shown alongside, echoed this theme with their sporty, tech-driven clothes that really captured that globe-trotting spirit.
Photo credit: Instagram
International Designers & Fresh Talent Set New Standards
1. Paul Smith: Travel Diaries Turned into Threads
Paul Smith, a fashion luminary with over half a century in the industry, transformed his Milan debut into a heartfelt tribute to global wanderlust. Models navigated a space reminiscent of a bustling marketplace, complete with scattered suitcases, postcards, and an array of keychains. The collection was a vibrant tapestry of lightweight, printed, colorful, and playful pieces, showcasing wearable tailoring, artistic touches, and the signature whimsy we’ve come to cherish from the British design icon.
2. Setchu & Saul Nash: Cultural Bridges
Setchu, under the direction of Satoshi Kuwata, a Japanese native based in Milan, kicked off fashion week with a collection that featured fishing-vest tailoring, soft technical trousers, and minimalist accessories imbued with the spirit of martial arts and Zen aesthetics.
Saul Nash, a London-based designer and former dancer, presented athletic yet emotionally charged designs deeply rooted in movement, bodily fluidity, and his Afro-Caribbean background. These burgeoning talents perfectly encapsulated the blending of diverse cultures and philosophies, a concept Milan is increasingly proud to champion.
3. Stone Island: Techwear for the Future Nomad
Stone Island, a brand synonymous with innovation, unveiled a collection that was a fusion of maritime and utility styles: think along the lines of reflective jackets, heat-reactive denim, oversized windbreakers, and intricate mesh layering. Drawing inspiration from California’s Mono Lake, the collection fully embraced a function-forward aesthetic tailored for the modern explorer.
4. Ralph Lauren Purple Label: High-End Adventurism
Ralph Lauren fully embraced the persona of a “luxury explorer” with offerings like safari jackets, embossed leather bombers, desert scarves, and flowing linen separates. Earthy tones, natural dyes, and handcrafted accessories, all produced via his Authentics Foundation, came together to create a sense of refined adventure.
Photo credit: Fashionably Male
The 5 Defining Trends of SS 2026
1. Loungewear Goes Luxe: Pyjama tops, rumpled silk suits, and even slippers started showing up in everyday men’s fashion. Dolce & Gabbana were ahead of the game, offering up their soft-hued “bedroom couture.”
2. Shorts Get Shorter: It’s official, short shorts are back for men! Prada showed off shorts with a very brief cut, while Ralph Lauren gave us silk shorts that were ready for a holiday. For SS 2026, shorts that show off a lot of thigh are now a must-have for guys.
3. Global Flavors: Designers drew inspiration from places like North Africa, Japan, and the Caribbean. This brought a mix of intricate embroidery, flowy shapes, tassels, and cultural motifs to the forefront of men’s styles.
4. Subtle Sophistication: Armani and Setchu showed us that luxury doesn’t have to be flashy. Their collections featured simple lines, muted colors, and understated design details, ideal for the man who prefers to make a quiet statement.
5. Sustainable Tech: Stone Island proved that you can have performance fabrics that are also kind to the planet. Their innovative, heat-reactive, and sustainable materials show that eco-friendly fashion can be high-performing, too.
Photo credit: Milano Fashion Week
Social Media & Digital Coverage
Instagram, TikTok, and Threads were buzzing with live runway moments, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and street style videos. Some of the major hashtags used were:
#MFW2026
#MilanMenswear
#PradaSS26
#PyjamaBoys
#TechwearTrend
Live-streamed fashion shows and NFTs related to fashion also became popular online additions, showing that Milan’s influence extends far beyond those sitting in the front row.
Photo credit: CRASH Magazine
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Milan Fashion Week SS 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Milan Fashion Week SS 2026Q1: When did Milan Fashion Week Men’s SS 2026 happen?
The Spring/Summer 2026 edition took place from June 20th to 24th, 2025, spread out across various locations in Milan. The week featured live runway shows, exclusive presentations by invitation only, and also some digital experiences.
Q2: Who were the big-name designers at the event?
Fashion powerhouses like Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, and Emporio Armani topped the bill. New and exciting designers such as Setchu, Saul Nash, and Paul Smith also contributed a worldwide viewpoint.
Q3: What made Dolce & Gabbana’s show stand out?
Their “Pyjama Boys” collection was unique in bringing the coziness of home wear out into the streets. Silk pajama sets, softly crumpled pastels, and bedroom slippers were all reimagined as high-fashion pieces.
Q4: Was Giorgio Armani there for his show?
Unfortunately, no. Mr. Armani was in the hospital during the fashion week. However, his long-time collaborator, Leo Dell’Orco, presented the collection in his absence, making sure it aligned with Armani’s original ideas.
Q5: What were the major trends for the season?
Some of the most prominent trends included very short shorts, environmentally conscious and functional fabrics, sharply tailored minimalist looks, designs inspired by a nomadic lifestyle, and luxurious sleepwear.
Q6: Is Milan still considered the best place for menswear?
Without a doubt. Milan continues to be the leading city for menswear, perfectly blending its rich fashion history, new and innovative ideas, and a diverse range of styles.
Photo credit: Prada
Final Insights: Milan Rewrites Modern Masculinity
The Milan Fashion Week Men’s SS 2026 wasn’t merely about showcasing clothes; it was a thoughtful exploration of the modern man’s approach to dressing and living. Each show reflected themes of emotional harmony, a thirst for adventure, gentleness, and practicality. Instead of seeking attention with bold statements, the fashion presented was intentional, sophisticated, and radiated a quiet self-assurance.
Milan demonstrated that men’s fashion can transcend mere attention-grabbing pieces by cleverly blending tradition with innovation, legacy with eco-consciousness, and beauty with moral integrity. This approach elevated fashion into a realm of meaningful expression.
From Prada’s understated yet subversive designs to Stone Island’s cutting-edge techwear advancements, Milan continues to stand out, proving its unique ability to progress while staying true to its core identity.
Photo credit: Pause Mag
Blog Author: Raja Bahar Khan Soomro
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