Slouchy separates shine across the Milan runways, while timelessness remains central.
When you live in Milan and designers show across the city’s most celebrated corners, your mind naturally fires with the stylistic codes that define Italian fashion. It’s impossible not to notice the polished way many locals live — the glorious food, the unhurried post-work rhythm, the effortless aesthetic. At the same time, you’re immersed in a rich history of elegance and contemporary cool.
On the second day of shows, as Milan Fashion Week picked up pace, much of the crowd’s buzz centred on Mr. Armani’s health. An official statement issued Friday noted his “home recovery” and “absence” from both the Emporio and Giorgio Armani shows. “Leo Dell’Orco, Head of Menswear Design, will greet the audience at the end of the shows,” read the press notes, which added, “Mr. Armani has worked with his usual dedication on the collections that will be presented.”
Paul Smith SS26
Paul Smith SS26
Paul Smith SS26
Paul Smith SS26
Minimalist dressing still held strong — tailored trousers and jackets appeared from the first day onwards. From Setchu to PDF, Pronounce to Paul Smith, looks were done in lightweight cotton with pants cut on the bias for an occasionally more flattering drape.
One light-brown overcoat turned out to be crafted from a crisp technical fabric, its lining embroidered in warm-toned details — a nod to the subversive undercurrents running through many of the season’s menswear collections.
Pronounce SS26
Pronounce SS26
Pronounce SS26
Pronounce SS26
Pronounce stood out with a thoughtful dive into the cultural significance of Chinese kites, creating a heritage-inflected tribute to the influences that surround the brand.
Ease was a defining element in many designers’ work this season: fragility, lightness, and tension — qualities of a kite — translated into silhouettes and the floating quality of fabrics, lending a sense of fluidity throughout the lineup.
Dolce & Gabbana SS26
Dolce & Gabbana SS26
Dolce & Gabbana SS26
Dolce & Gabbana SS26
Dolce & Gabbana’s collection followed that breezy thread, paying homage to the pyjama with surprising combinations and an unexpected twist. The result? Casual yet cosmopolitan — cool, poised, and polished. The refined colour palette moved through neutral tones, punctuated by iconic polka dots and leopard prints.
In Milan, ease never seems to go out of style. Styled with eclecticism, this season’s shows traced the journey of a worldly traveller — one who assembles looks from remote markets and hidden streets, inventing new combinations as he goes. Tailoring was relaxed, evoking the 1950s with cropped jackets and high-waisted trousers, reinforcing a quietly preppy aesthetic. Understated luxury that still makes an impact? Look no further.
by Chidozie Obasi