The Biggest Men’s Fashion Trends 2025 Has in Store, According to GQ Staffers

Looking for more of the freakiest, flyest men’s fashion trends 2025 has in store? Swing by our New Arrivals shop, and then check out what our editors are buying right now.

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The trend cycle moves at a breakneck clip, and keeping up can be a royal headache. From runway to social media, the fashion cognoscente to the millions of microtrends, the whiplash is real. It’s a good thing we’ve got the cure. Below, you’ll find a not-quite-comprehensive list of all the weirdest, wildest menswear moves we’re still itching to make as the summer season starts to wrap up—along with a handful of brands doing them best—hand-picked by the GQ Recommends squad.

To predict the can’t-miss men’s fashion trends 2025 has in store, we scour runway stills, street style shots, and our very own mood boards to make sense of where the state of our highly specific union is headed next. Are these the only things we’re going to wear for the next six months straight? Probably not. But they’re definitely the only things we want to wear right this very minute.

As temperatures this fall dip, the one upside of the cooler clime is that we can actually get dressed again. After a summer that was mostly about wearing less, our fall weather style predictions see an all-out embrace of Western-coded flannels, a big return of rugby shirts, not to mention premiere-worthy leather jackets and whooshy nylon windbreakers. If this is all reading a little classic, that’s because it is. Embrace this season’s return to prep and seductive practicality. For the rest of our fall-y insights, keep on scrolling.

8 Fall Trends for Prime Cuffing Season

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Neo-Prep Rugbys

As it turned out, the secret to looking hot this summer was dressing in a striped polo like it was 2005. So naturally, this fall, striped rugby shirts—the warmer, burlier brother to the summer polo—are where it’s at. Get cropped with Abercrombie, preppy with Polo, or head back to campus with Kotn, which just partnered with heritage Ivy league athletic outfitters Barbarian for a range of collegiate Ruggers.

Western Flannels

In cooler temperatures, a reliable flannel shirt is more than a wardrobe essential: it’s a no-brainer. (The added bonus is that the best of them feel substantial enough to double as a light jacket, thanks to their lightweight wool or thick cotton make.) This fall, we’re especially bullish on Western-leaning flannels: Think two chest pockets, snap buttons, point collars. They’re a true cheat code: The grandpa comfort of soft flannel, combined with the young buck edge of a capable ranch hand.

A-List Leather Jackets

You want to know what Austin Butler, Jacob Elordi, and Harris Dickinson all have in common? (Aside from the wildly successful careers…and the sculpted-by-god bodies…and all that money.) A great leather jacket. Why? Because they’re luxe and lush and simply scream movie star. Pro tip: Grab one in a classic style that’s cropped right at the waist. It’ll lengthen your legs, accentuate the butt, and sync up oh-so-well with some high-waisted pants or a pair of classic Levi’s 501s.

Blue Plaids

The Western Flannel isn’t the only shirt trend in town. If anything, it has a cerulean sibling—this fall, we’re seeing a ton of specifically blue plaid shirts being proffered by our most reliable good menswear suppliers. My favorite, though, is Polo Ralph Lauren’s red-infused take (bottom right) which combines this particular trend with another one you’ll discover a little further down.

Armani, Our Man

Giorgio Armani’s legacy was already all around us, but when the Italian maestro passed away this month, evidence of his indelible influence on the look, shape, and feel of modern menswear was even harder to ignore. Not sure how to pull off his signature deconstructed tailoring—or the new generation of louche, elegant suits it inspired? Look to the man himself, who remains his own best advertisement.

Contrast Stitching

Sometimes trends are colors. Sometimes, they’re patterns. Sometimes they’re prints, or particular cuts, or a certain resurrected style. But sometimes—and we love these times—they’re as simple as a tiny but effective tweak to a garment’s construction. Like, in this case, using a contrasting thread for fabric stitches, rather than one that blends right in. The nice thing about owning these pieces is they show you like clothes, but without screaming it.

A Flash of Red

In January, I went to Paris to see a preview of some of our favorite independent designers’ fall collections. And almost everywhere I went—even to brands with typically black, white and gray palettes—a shot of red would appear right there on the racks. Now those collections are all dropping, and it appears the buyers eagerly bought in to the romantic shade.

Nylon Windbreakers

Light, technical jackets were once the exclusive remit of dads and crunchy climber types with tips on sleeping in a Subaru’s trunk. Those folks have our gratitude—limbering up in a practical jacket is one of the kindest things you can do for yourself durin the unpredictable forecasts of fall. And this fall especially, our heads are being turned less by the Gore-Tex’d, ready-for-Everest jackets, and more by the humble nylon windbreaker, which slips into a back when not needed, but then completely saves your ass when it is.

Thrashable Caps

A beat-up baseball cap has long been the sign of a life—or at least, multiple summers—well lived. But these days, it’s also been coopted by the fashion set to show their appreciation for fabrics, no matter the state they’re in. Think of it as the hat equivalent of leather guys being into “patina.”

Belted Bags

A funny thing is happening towards the luxury end of the daily carry landscape. Suddenly, every bag has a belt on it! What makes this something to celebrate, rather than mock, is the added practicality—few tote straps have been resizeable thusfar. And also, the extra hits of metal do add a certain heft to bag styles that beforehand might have been a touch too dainty for some.

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More Trends to Watch in 2025

We first came out with our highly accurate trend predictions at the beginning of the year. And while we trust that our team of menswear Nostradamuses are infinitely wise, we may not see every fortune told until the season is ripe. But mark our words, these are the rest of the trends you can expect to see for the rest of the year.

Sporty Shades

Oakleys: No longer just for shredding the gnar. Today, chart-toppers from Billie Eilish to Troye Sivan, Bad Bunny and Charli XCX refuse to shield their pupils in anything less than sporty wraparound shades. Naturally, that’s now trickled down to the culture at large. This is really a win though: Wraparounds are not just the lightest style of sunglass, but typically are polarized for better views and far less eye strain.

Flip-Flops Era

Fashion’s been flirting with the idea of a full-on flip-flop comeback for a few summers, and we’re glad to say that it’s finally here. Banish your fear of putting the full set of piggies out on, and with it the notion that flip flops are just for the beach. Lean into the SoCal getup and prop them up with cargo shorts and a striped polo, or bring them into high society with slouchy slacks and a linen button-up. You know what—just replace your loafers and wear ’em on the daily with your regular fits.

Shorts That Look Like Boxers

The war on inseams has fractured into a handful of camps, but the real trend in shorts is maybe about the fabric than the length. More and more, we’re seeing shorts rendered in stripes, checks, and tartans. They’re preppy, they’re ’90s revivalist, they also look like boxers. Wearing actual underwear and bloomers as fashion swept through womenswear a few seasons back, so it only makes sense that the guys get a swing at it too.

Cargo Shorts

As the preppy mall brands of the aughts come all the way back, they’re bringing cargo shorts with them. Don’t fight it: After multiple depressing summers of five vs. seven-inch short length anxiety, there’s something truly freeing—not to mention practical—about letting good old, six-pocket cargos sway gently across your knees.

Striped Polos

If you put a lot of these summer trends together, you might notice something. It’s basically an OC redux. Adam Brody-core, if you will. Think nascent indie sleaze, with palm trees. To complete the look, get yourself a slutty striped polo and throw it on with the cargo shorts above, or slim jeans and Chucks. Californiaaaaaaaaa!

Beaded Jewelry

Short of puka shells, we’re leaning into the beach-y brohemian vibes withe candy-coated beaded jewelry round our necks, wrists, and even our ankles. Summer got us wearing a whole lot of nothing, so we had to get our fashion where we can get it. Beaded jewelry gives us the texture and layering we’re missing from the cooler months and is just that cherry on top of your hot-weather outfits that brings everything together.

Orthopedic Sneakers

As the slim, flat sneaker continues to torpedo its way through the zeitgeist, a rival faction of footwear enthusiasts—unsettled by that style’s lack of support—are going the entire opposite direction, and doubling down on health and safety, with some far more robust pairs. To be clear, these trending styles aren’t cushy like Hokas or bouncy like Ons. They’re simply supportive, stable, and let’s be honest: Kind of great-looking, too.

Torpedo Shoes

Sleek, slim, and aerodynamic, what we call torpedo shoes will contininue to add momentum against the chunky shoe agenda. From Puma to Prada, the paper-thin sneakers will bring fashion lovers back down to earth, paired with wide-legged trousers, big shorts, and even bigger jeans. Oftentimes, torpedo sneakers are designed to be unstructured and crushable, further separating it from the over-the-top energy of Gen-Z.

Accountant Glasses

What do E-40 and your accountant have in common? Rimless glasses. Ditch the acetate frames outright and opt for some rimless or semi-rimless eyewear. Tap into a geek-chic moment with a button-up shirt, pleated pants, and loafers, or try a Y2K look with a tight vintage shirt, big jorts, and Birkenstocks.

Voluminous Totes

Jackets, tees and sneakers might be getting smaller, but somehow, at the very same time, totes are flying in the other direction. Which is handy for transitional seasons that require endless on-call layers.

Little Denim Jackets

Denim jackets become extra relevant every transitional season, but this year they feel even more so. Call it the general dominance of denim these days, or the fact that no other item straddles workwear and style as confidently—either way, this season’s trending cuts tend to be a little more cropped, and closer to the body. Which, we should note, can also be achieved by just ordering a size down.

Mellow Yellow

Typically, men’s and women’s color trends orbit each other but don’t land at quite the same time. Not this year! This spring, designers across the binary were dishing up buttery yellow basics to help you match those blooming daffodils and buttercups in your neighborhood.

Clasps on Fire

I’m seeing classic styles—peacoats, truckers, waxed jackets–get updated with clasps reminiscent of vintage fireman jackets. (Mfpen has a beautiful, denim fireman clasp jacket that even Adrien Brody has worn.) I dig it. The simple change gives a workwear edge to more formal pieces, meaning you can still enjoy the classic style’s functionality, but without the associations that come with, say, a big Barbour zip, or some giant rounded peacoat buttons. There are some very special finds on eBay and Depop, but here are a few if you want to go new.

Crewneck Cardigans

There’s plenty of swervy knitwear moves you can make right now, but the best one this season is the most simple. The rise of the crewneck cardigan is here, and like the demure assurance of a grandmother, it can support your fits like no other sweater can. The simple tweak of the neckline gives you more occasions to wear them than your standard cardi, whether open or buttoned all the way up for a purposeful take on the classic crewneck sweater. You don’t have to add pearls, but we wouldn’t be mad if ya did.

Little Pins

The newest frontier in the whole “Men wearing more jewelry” universe? Broaches and pins. Drew Starkey’s been rocking a simple pin, Jacob Elordi has a fun frog on his lapels, Kendrick’s in on the action… hell, the entire Oscars red carpet was a glinting wonderland. The joy of wearing this style? Like all jewelry, it can be removed and added to any of the existing fits in your rotation.

Cuffless Beanies

For more than a decade, cuffed beanies have dominated the male dome. This has inspired starter pack memes and endless rips into the stereotypical tiny beanie guy who rocks a thick mustache, itsy tattoos, and a tote bag. But we’re finally seeing a shift toward more streamlined, low-profile alternatives. Say hello to a brave new, cuffless beanie world. Brands like Arc’teryx have shone a light on the skull cap agenda and with guys like Timotheé Chalamet and Central Cee on board, we don’t envision the trend going away any time soon.

Zippy Sweaters

Zippers and sweaters are an uneasy alliance to be sure—snags are catastrophic in the teeth of a zipper and the mechanisms by which they’re affixed to knitwear are often tenuous. I don’t care about any of these things, though, and it seems like others agree with that sentiment—zip cardigans are popping up in the wild in place of the button kind, track jackets, quarter-zips and the like with increasing frequency. And while it might be uneasy, the alliance is fruitful: when the zipper is bulky or shiny, it contrasts a knit in a more dramatic (re: interesting) way than buttons do, and when it’s low-profile, the placket fades away to an extent that buttons simply can’t. (I’ve been wearing an old one for two months and can’t stop.

Pants With a Literal Twist

What could possibly be in store for the big pants agenda in 2025? Instead of worrying about fit, you should think about construction. And if there’s one thing to keep a close eye on, it’s pants with twisted seams. Delinquent seams—whether curling around the front or back of the leg—have all the makings of enjoying a breakout year: They’re an approachable touch of roughed-up freak with a healthy dose of Y2K nostalgia. If you’re looking for your next swerve, go curved.

Rough Rings

Shiny silver has been getting more and more scuffed up, and with retailers like SSENSE and Harrod’s stocking up on designers like The Ouze, I don’t see it stopping. It tracks to me—I’d never worn jewelry before as I didn’t want to attract that kind of glinty attention, but have loved the rougher pieces I’ve picked up over the last few months.

Gentlemanly Gorp

If round one of Gorpcore was all about technical fabrics, round two is for guys who no longer want to just be outdoors. They want to be outdoors in fabrics that their great, great, grandfather could have worn. If he was, say, an Austrian shepherd. I’m talking corduroy, boiled wool, felt, fleece. No ‘-Tex’ in the mix.

Bulked-Up Boat Shoes

Boat shoes roared back in the past couple of years, so I understand that declaring any vertical of the polarizing style to be “back” or “trending” isn’t all that helpful. But within the category, the bulkier, more sturdy, more structural ones are infinitely more interesting—and more utilitarian—than the classic two-eye, flat-soled iterations. As such, I’m seeing them everywhere, worn with everything, in every context. Maybe this one is less of a trend and more of a mainstreaming, but either way it’s happening.

Clean, Crisp Denim

In the years since the last raw denim renaissance, we’ve seen bold blue jeans trends from threadbare shredded options to tripped-out colorways to overdyes and acid washes. But 2025 has been a reset back into a cleaner, simpler aesthetic. We’ll incorporate the unadulterated, deep, inky indigo back into our wardrobe to anchor every outfit. We may not be approaching it like the selvedge-obsessed fade-it-yourself denimheads did back in the 2010s. Instead, it’ll be more of a sobering up or a denim detox.

Tiny Tickers

One of the best things I bought this year was a teeny-tiny Seiko bracelet watch from the ’70s, which is definitely more bracelet than watch and all the better for it. It’s a women’s model, but I have dainty wrists—and these days, the gals are beating the guys at their own game, anyway. If the coos of delight my new watch-let elicits are any indication, small watches will only be getting bigger in 2025.