Top Tens: Spring/Summer 2018 Menswear Collections

Bring on the colourful hues and lightweight materials that are set to dominate the SS18 season.

There’s nothing quite like the dawn of Spring. As the winter begins to wind down, the temperatures steadily begin to rise, snow turns to grass and we faintly hear the sound of chirping birds in the morning. What we’re most excited about, however, is the looming opportunity to break out the fresh threads and new trends of spring fashion. From the outerwear to battle the rain and progressive layering pieces of the spring to summer fits as you march through downtown, here are the Spring/Summer 2018 collections we’re looking forward to the most.

Stone Island

Stone Island continues to build off of their momentum with their new SS18 collection, further refining their garments through innovative techniques, concepts and fabrics. For this drop, the Italian label has bolstered their sportswear aesthetic with an eclectic mixture of sophisticated tones and playful seasonal pastels, including “Avio Blue,” “Salmon,” “Lavender” and “Octane.” Elsewhere in the collection, Stone Island has taken inspiration from vintage Polish military uniforms, as seen with the select alligator camouflage print. Featuring multi layer fusion technology that ensures water resistance and breathability, the progressive garment technology remains unmatched.

Standout Piece: Stone Island Garment Dyed Crew Sweat

Balenciaga

SS18

Demna Gvasalia has been busy as of late for Balenciaga, having already released a grunge-inspired luggage collection and a viral $1,000 “Supermarket Shopper” inspired by disposable plastic grocery bags. For this year’s warm season, family remains the central nucleus for Balenciaga, making use of real families in both the debut show at Paris Fashion Week months ago and the campaign lookbook that’s reminiscent of your second grade picture day. Gvasalia embraces a range of oversized and straight silhouettes, radiating vintage style inspired by the family, with looks that are suitable for both the office and leisure time with the kids.

Mackintosh

SS18

While many brands on this list continue to push the boundaries of fashion and ride trends, Mackintosh has stuck to its roots for their new collection. The Scottish heritage brand offers a range of classic outerwear silhouettes that have been subtly refined with vivid colours and premium lightweight materials. If you’re looking for outerwear, Mackintosh offers a great range of options that are subtle, understated and functional.

Stella McCartney

With unbeatable tailoring and innovative cuts, Stella McCartney’s new menswear collection styles a new attitude that feels like a breath of fresh air, just in time for the warmer months. Reimagining classic designs with a modern, unrestricted edge, McCartney’s range of shirts, suits and outerwear features a balance between a muted colour palette washes and bold nature-inspired print–oozing feelings of effortlessness, freedom and paradise. Riding fashion’s current wave of chunkiness, the first glue-less trainers offered in McCartney’s collection bring a new energy to a classic style–in pumped up proportions.  Despite the colourful twist, the premium suiting is a never a bad long-term investment that will remain a timeless statement.

Standout Piece: Stella McCartney Multicolor Knit Sweater

Kappa

For their upcoming collection, Kappa’s sportswear-inspired aesthetic oozes freedom and youth. The Italian label’s recognizable heritage football/soccer roots are still evident as envisioned in a nostalgic series of photographs with a 1988 Ford Fiesta 1.1. Oversized logos and bold popsicle designs keep the strong and clean aesthetic fresh and in top contemporary form.

Standout Piece: Gosha Rubchinskiy x KAPPA Track Top

Acne Studios

Inspired by the physical and mental contrast between Swedish city life and the tranquility of the countryside, Acne Studios’ range of SS18 pieces reflect the relaxed mindset of this transition. Comfort, ease and relaxation are central themes of the collection as seen in pieces including lightweight coats, flower-embroidered tanks and folk patternings that feature long tailoring, high-waists and loose fits. Already known for their clean and minimalist aesthetic, with Acne Studios you can look as relaxed as you feel under the golden sunshine.

Standout Piece: Acne Studios Tent Denim Jacket

MR. OLIVE

Continuing to find inspiration in vintage Americana fashion from the 50s to the 70s, MR. OLIVE’s new summer assortment consists of looks for any occasion. The expansive capsule includes various jackets, sweatshirts, shirts, T-shirts, jeans and hats that make use of subtle designs and muted tones. The Tokyo-based label’s offerings are famed for their layering capabilities and versatility, featuring a clean aesthetic and premium craftsmanship.

Isabel Marant

This past September, Isabel Marant presented her first ever menswear SS18 collection. Known for her minimal, bohemian and utilitarian designs, she made waves for including masculine pieces in her women’s collections. In this collection, she explores the opposite, playing with unisex designs throughout her range of menswear pieces, championed through 70s-inspired motifs and designs. Despite her fashion-forward style and progressive fits, the clothing undoubtedly maintains an aura of masculinity that rides a cross between provocative and iconic. “A very disarming naturalness with an irresistible personality. This is the man I have in mind when I create,” Marant revealed at her Paris Fashion Week show.

Palace

Shot by the famed Juergen Teller, Palace’s warm season offerings include various playful motifs while staying true to its gritty skate heritage of South London. The classic sportswear is further is boldly complemented by bright colour palettes and wild patterning throughout a collection that has a little something for just about anyone.

Vetements

SS18

When co-founders Demna and Guram Gvasalia announced that they would be pulling Vetements out of Fashion Week shows for the next little while, not many expected what would follow. The label went on to preview their SS18 collection with ordinary people off the streets of Zürich, gracefully (and awkwardly) strutting their best runway pose in front of the camera. Not many fashion labels could pull this off, however, it’s essentially what we’ve come to expect from the divisive Parisian collective, and the low-brow aesthetic is quite frankly, part of the label’s appeal.

Standout Piece: VETEMENTS + Tommy Hilfiger Oversized Cotton-Jersey Hoodie.

Words by Braeden Alexander.

Director of Content