Milan Fashion Week Men’s: Fall/Winter 26-27 Denim Trends

Denim trends returned to bold washes, distressing and embellishments at Milan Fashion Week Men’s.

After several seasons of elevated basics, roomy constructions and versatile washes dominating collections, some designers took a notable shift toward the statement styling of the 2010s.

Extreme wash downs, dirty tints, leather-like coatings and paint splatter were featured in PDF’s bulky and highly tactile collection. Oversized fits—from bomber jackets and cow-print fleece coordinates to wide-leg jeans—were balanced with boots with inflated toes and straps. Some bottoms were pleated, amplifying the voluminous looks. Others featured red band-aid patches over ripped areas.

Victor Hart also applied washes and tints to give denim a worn and damaged look. The effects added to the drama of his oversized coveralls, long jackets, cargo jackets and denim cape.

Dsquared2 delivered a collection inspired by the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan but executed through the lens of “Heated Rivalry.” Hudson Williams, the star of the wildly popular Canadian series about the romance between male professional hockey players, opened the show dressed in a deconstructed denim puffer and black coated jeans.

The looks grew more daring, spanning tear-away jean shorts and jeans covered in clear sequins to micro shorts worn over base layers. Barrel jeans mimicked the shape of gear worn by hockey goalies. High-low contrasts, unfinished hems and material mixing also added to the collection’s boldness.

Though the decade’s skinny fits were still on the back burner for most, Ralph Lauren’s showed stacked skinnies finished with brand signatures like paint splatter, rip and repair and patchwork. These bold pieces were styled alongside suede fringe jackets, mixed media wool coats and tartan waistcoats. Ralph Lauren balanced these looks with relaxed chore jackets and baggy fits in dark washes.

Fluid fabrics with shiny surfaces Saul Nash, denim kilts by Thom Browne and Mordecai’s twisted seam jeans were among the other highlights from the fashion week.

For traditionalists, there were still plenty of classic blue jean offerings from labels like Bally, Brunello Cucinelli, Etro, Canali and Zegna.