The fashion industry is witnessing remarkable transformations, especially for men's wear as we approach Spring and Summer 2025. Moving beyond antiquated beliefs, the notion of menswear being less dynamic than women's clothing is fading away. Men are increasingly encouraged to express themselves fashionably, showcasing more daring and varied styles. With the spotlight now on the upcoming season's trends, fashion experts lay out what men should embrace this year.
Winfried Rollmann, material and menswear expert from the German Fashion Institute, points out the departure from traditional dress codes: "Männermode emanzipiert sich immer stärker von traditionellen Dresscodes" (Men’s fashion is increasingly emancipated from traditional dress codes). What can we expect? A noteworthy trend about to emerge is cool layering. This involves donning multiple pieces with elegant, refined details. Rollmann sees smart tailoring making waves, featuring shortened shirt jackets paired with pleated trousers.
Another key player, stylist Lukas Blasberg, anticipates the resurgence of sport-inspired styles. He mentions trends like "Blokecore," which draws inspiration from football fan styles with jerseys spotted on the catwalks of big-name designers like Fendi and Louis Vuitton. According to both experts, modernized suits will take center stage this season. Rollmann proclaims, "Der Star der Garderobe ist das Kurzarmhemd" (The star of the wardrobe is the short-sleeve shirt), which should accompany shorts and carry either prints or striped patterns.
But what jackets should men don this season? Despite warming temperatures, jackets remain a staple. Rollmann identifies the shirt jacket as the key piece of choice—available cropped or at jacket length, suitable for various occasions. On the other hand, puffer jackets and vests also find their place this spring. Blasberg describes oversized designs available in vibrant or muted tones as highly fashionable, ideally matched with extra-wide pants. He adds, "Allerdings ist es nicht ganz Opas Lieblingsstück" (But it’s not exactly Grandpa’s favorite piece), recommending you style cardigans with bright colors, logos, and patterns for a modern update. No man can be without his cardigan this year.
Accessibility is also evident when it pertains to shoes. Boldly, Blasberg hints at the emergence of "Galaxy Sneaker" designs — futuristic high-tech sneakers showcasing extravagant styles. He asserts, "Je extraterrestrischer das Design, desto besser" (The more extraterrestrial the design, the finer it is). Yet more classic tastes have plenty to choose from, as Rollmann sees loafers and moccasins edging past conventional sneakers, advising summer slip-ons made from leather to pair flawlessly with Bermuda shorts.
Accessories, once dominated by women, are now carving out their space within men's fashion. Rollmann mentions jewelry like necklaces, earrings, and rings gaining traction among men, as well as scarves and ties—but worn with relaxed outfits, bringing modern flair. Blasberg emphasizes bags of all types as key fashion components: moving away from toeing the line with pockets, men can flaunt large everyday bags for practicality or opt for mini bags, making stylish statements with less focus on storage. Nylon bags emerge as fully functional yet trendy for modern street style.
While highlighting new trends, Blasberg and Rollmann remind men to reconsider outdated styles. Goodbye to skinny jeans and fitted jackets this spring and summer; relaxed silhouettes are the way to navigate the season stylishly. Blasberg humorously notes, "Sagen wir einfach: Knöchel gelten... wie im 19. Jahrhundert, wieder als obszön" (Let’s just say: ankles are once again viewed as obscene, reminiscent of the 19th century).
Color psychology plays its role as well. Bright pastel tones have long been staples of women's wardrobes, but they’re finally making waves among men. Rollmann highlights, "Helle und softe Naturtöne werden mit verblasstem Rosé, Salbei oder kühlen Aquatönen spannend" (Light and soft natural tones paired with faded rose, sage, or cool aquatic shades are intriguing). Colors like charcoal, midnight blue, oxblood, and palm green are the latest summer darks taking stance on trend reports.
For those wanting to inject some vigor to their business attire, Blasberg suggests incorporating oversized blazers with classic shirts and trousers, common items already present in many closets. Rollmann advocates for pairing short-sleeved shirts with open collars or knitted polos, injecting fresh appeal to business suits. Rolled-styled shorts with matching fabric offer another direction dubbed the “Summer-Suit.”
With baggy forms cutting through the norm, Rollmann asserts wider designs with pleats are must-haves this year. Expect to see Bermuda shorts and trendy casual cuts dominating the streets. Blasberg also weighs in on denim trends, indicating the rising acceptance of double denim—"Der Canadian Tuxedo war zwar nie richtig aus der Mode, aber jetzt schmeißen wir uns wieder in Jeans" (The Canadian tuxedo has never really fallen out of fashion but we’re again throwing ourselves back to jeans). Variation of texture and color transcends pre-defined denim rules.
Spring/Summer 2025 offers countless opportunities for men to redefine their fashion choices. Embracing fun styles, comfortable silhouettes, and imaginative accessories, the modern man is set to make vivid statements—long tenure of boring wardrobes is officially over.