Paris Men’s Fashion Week highlights: ballet flats, college wear and more

The fall/winter 2024 season during Paris Men’s Fashion Week was an enormous success. It featured shows including Wales Bonner, Amiri and Louis Vuitton that brought an infectious energy to the style industry. There’s little doubt that Men’s Fashion Week is a key time to concentrate to as innovations in menswear proceed to interrupt barriers. For example, shows like Dior taking notes on women’s fashion trends a la ballet shoes. These shoes took the scene by storm throughout 2023, appearing in runway shows from the likes of Sandy Liang, Miu Miu, and more. They appear to be going nowhere since Dior’s spring/summer 2024 show featured male models in pointe shoes.

We’re also seeing a resurgence in college apparel, with sweatshirts emblazoned with the university’s name taking center stage. On a recent runway, Wales Bonner selected to spotlight the historically black institution Howard University. University jackets are one other trend we saw growing on the recent Rhude show, and the jackets were emblazoned with a university emblem featuring the brand’s logo and name.

Timberland shoes made a splash this season due to their collaboration with Louis Vuitton, which debuted on the catwalk in two color versions: black and classic yellow. The brand was celebrating its twenty fifth anniversary and knew that acting at Paris Fashion Week can be the one opportunity to have a good time. The brand took part in a complete of 4 exhibitions, including Wales Bonner.

The 80s appear to be making a comeback with shows like Amiri and Martine Rose presenting elements of the era with a contemporary twist. Amiri ushered in a brand new era of shiny blazers, oversized sunglasses and slim trousers that were very ’80s style. Martine Rose also dipped into the ’80s aesthetic with oversized shoulder pads and a cheeky use of zebra print.

To see the highlights from Paris Men’s Fashion Week, keep scrolling.

Ballet shoes

Kim Jones in pointe shoes for the Dior spring/summer 2024 men’s fashion show continues the “coquette” trend. The real test of trends will probably be seeing men on the streets this yr who aren’t ballerinas wearing ballet flats. Outside of the show, actor, director and musician Donald Glover wore similarly designed Bode shoes to the Emmy Awards in 2024. Dior’s show featured a slew of flats, from satin, buttery yellow shades to baby pinks and standard black Mary Janes. We hope to see more stars on the red carpet with this trend.

University clothing

Howard University received flowers on the runway at Wales Bonner’s recent presentation. The recent men’s show included several pieces, reminiscent of a crewneck sweatshirt and sleeveless shirt with the words “Howard” and “Howard Crew” on the chest. Fellow brand Rhude, known for its luxe streetwear aesthetic, also showed off several varsity jackets on the runway with the Rhude logo on the chest and side. Will we see a greater number of jackets featuring our favourite athletes and actors? We’re also wondering if non-Howard alumni will wear college-themed Wales Bonner uniforms.

Timberlands are popular

Timberland ankle boots have been a long-time staple on the East Coast, especially in New York, so it’s fascinating to see the brand have an actual fashion moment. The brand collaborated with Louis Vuitton on two colorways: black and classic yellow with the LV monogram on the tongue, giving them a “quiet luxury” feel befitting of Paris Men’s Week. The shoe was unveiled on Instagram by Pharrell, Louis Vuitton’s creative director, and then made its runway debut for the Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter 2024 men’s collection. Among 4 other appearances, the shoe also appeared on the Wales Bonner runway.

80s aesthetics

We never thought the ’80s style would make a comeback, however it feels natural because the ’90s and Y2K aesthetics take over in 2022 and 2023. Amiri shirts with wide collars, intricate beading and a shiny suit and skinny trousers were the principal motifs in the gathering with accessories reminiscent of oversized sunglasses and oversized clutches. Martine Rose’s performance was also a nod to the Eighties, featuring suits with strong, daring shoulder pads and a zebra print in blue and black. Additionally, models wore reworked sweaters, plaid tops and tracksuits that gave a contemporary tackle the ’80s. A pair of flared trousers in crushed velvet appeared on the runway, a transparent indication that Rose was using the aforementioned stylish era as inspiration.