AW19 Menswear Trend Report

The AW19 man is taking a walk on the wild side, experimenting with texture and looking to the afterlife for inspiration. The runways gave us Frankenstein’s monster, knitwear that doubled up as wall art and coats from a Frank Miller graphic comic. 

The colours range from day-glo neons to vantablack, the prints dare to be different and outerwear is large and in charge. Sportswear wasn’t as much of a dominating force this season despite the occasional ‘90s references still carrying through.

Giving you a head start on the trends for AW19, our menswear buying teams have picked their favourite key looks for the new season.

Your Dad's Coat
Remember being a kid in your Dad’s giant coat? Proving that fashion is truly cyclical, the look of your yesteryear is now right on trend. Oversized trenches, longline parkas and chunky duffels; outerwear is big news - literally. Requiring minimal layers underneath, complete the look with AW19’s favourite larger-than-life accessory, the Lenny Kravitz-esque scarf. Embrace Frankenstein’s monster shoulders with Balenciaga, take style cues from Offset with Off-White’s lilac puffer, or live the Mod lifestyle with Burberry’s cosy duffel coat.

Wild For The Night
‘The wild boys are calling’, an accurate premonition from Duran Duran in 1984, as this season saw menswear embrace its animal instincts with a full leap of leopard print. Not to be feared, this roaring trend is tacky yet timeless. Channel J.M. Barrie's the Lost Boys in a head-to-toe look from Sacai, be bold in an iridescent jacket and panelled sneakers from Dior Homme, or keep it subtle with a muted jumper from Saint Laurent.

Paint By Knit
Avant garde, but make it knit. This season sees designers creating wearable art in the form of AW19’s knitwear offering. Using digital intarsia knits and prints, the jumpers for this season feature everything from Monet-style landscapes to Cezanne’s optical illusions. Hypnotise those who pass in Koché’s magic eye jumpers, remember summer days with Sunnei and tell a story with Valentino’s collaboration with Jun Takahashi from Undercover.

Leather Drench
With echoes of neo-noir, the leather jacket is set to be replaced with the full length wet-look leather coat this season. Referencing Sin City and Blade Runner, AW19 runways were awash with oversized leather trench coats and matching leather trousers. Go incognito with Balenciaga’s half mask trench, experiment with an oil slick finish from Prada or go straight to the leather experts with Bottega Veneta’s luscious parka style.

Men In Black
R.I.P trusty grey suits as this season we are going back to black for AW19. A style favoured by WWE’s ‘The Undertaker’ Mark William Calaway, the all-black suit has been resurrected as the key tailoring trend this season. Be a modern-day dandy in Dior Homme’s tapered trousers and longline jackets, belt the jacket and raise the trouser hem in Prada and add a punk edge with Versace’s safety pin styles.

Bovver Boots
The rebellious bovver boot is back with a vengeance to stomp its way into your autumnal wardrobe. Make the ground move with the Herman Munster styles from Versace, add some military styling with Dior Homme and try out the ‘90s square toe trend from Balenciaga.

Bear Essentials
The one time you don’t mind getting fleeced, ‘90s nostalgia continues to gain momentum and has gone full-scale camping dad with plenty of fleece for AW19. Not to be underestimated, the humble fleece is lightweight, breathable and a transseasonal hero. Working alongside the wider great outdoors trend that also featured heavily this season, we will be pairing ours with cargo pants and hiking boots. Give yourself a warm hug with Stand’s teddy borg jackets, go oversized with Rick Owens and add a touch of texture to your knitwear with Eckhaus Latta.

Words by Alexandra Oliver