Menswear has gone through many iterations over the past several years, from athleisure and loungewear during the COVID-19 pandemic to post-lockdown revenge dressing, which ushered in a return of tailoring and suiting. Now, the latest trend to emerge from the Paris Men’s Fashion Week runways is the “soft masculine” era.

Some editors and other fashion industry insiders have wondered whether this era of “soft masculine” energy is a countercultural rebellion. In an age of power suits and tech-bro T-shirts and sneakers, where does that leave men who don’t want to dress like today’s oligarchs?

Keep in mind, the Paris Men’s Fashion Week runways weren’t aiming to reinvent the wheel but rather to bring some cheer to a world currently wrought with headlines of war, tariffs, and political upheaval—seemingly more so than usual, perhaps because the 24-hour news cycle is now attached to our hips via our phones. Pieces that helped define the soft masculine trend included bright yellow sweaters at Saint Laurent, bloomer tops from Saint Laurent, and sarongs worn over tailored trousers at Dries Van Noten.

Historically, there has been more restriction on how men were allowed to style clothing, with little room left for eclecticism. Dries Van Noten tossed this notion out the window with their Spring 2026 collection, featuring beaded skirts and tanks paired together, coats worn like dresses, and high-waisted pants cropped to reveal plenty of ankle.

The Paris Fashion Week runways offered an alternative to power dressing, as fashion explores how those who want to redesign traditional power structures might choose to dress. These are the kinds of men who aren’t taking fashion cues from the world’s wealthiest individuals or politicians. They subvert every notion of the typical man in the rat race to the top of the corporate ladder—or the office of the President or Prime Minister.

Minimalism and quiet luxury have been trending for the past several years. While there will always be a market for such brands—with The Row, Loro Piana, and Brunello Cuccinelli being among the most successful luxury labels in the business—brands that weren’t previously known for paring things down are now having their moment to shine.

Even brands like Giorgio Armani, long a pinnacle of men’s power dressing, have embraced their soft masculine era. At Giorgio Armani Men’s Fashion Week runway show, the brand opted for bright blues and bold purples, paired with breezier, more relaxed fabrics.

Menswear has entered its soft life—one that looks more like a celebration of living than a stroll to the office. A mere pop of color won’t be enough come next year. It’s time to embrace the bold and the bright.