Men's fashion: all about the basics!

At Ami, sequined trousers make a splash; Dries Van Noten offers disco-ready shirts, while Saint Laurent champions bare-back tops. On the Paris runways, men’s fashion boldly experiments. Though everyday street style may not always glitter with glamor, men are increasingly embracing trend-driven fashion, pervasive as it is. One no longer needs to step into a clothing store to find a great 'basic,' the modern man’s holy grail.

“Rather than major statement pieces, we’re seeing a shift towards small, thoughtful additions for those considerate indulgences,” explains Vincent Grégoire, a trend and consumer behavior analyst at Nelly Rodi. Whether it's a timeless T-shirt, a cap in just the right color, or classic sneakers that aren't too plain, 'these pieces transcend essentials; they are 'essensuals,'—comforting, non-irritating, with distinctive finishes that set them apart. They represent the 'cozification' of trends, combining familiar forms with identifiable quality brands.' Amidst chaos, there is a growing desire for comfort and dependability.

This need is exquisitely met by Hindbag with its line of ethical and vibrant bags. Initially targeting a predominantly female clientele, the young Parisian brand has seen its male customer base jump from 5% to 30%. 'Over the past two years, our products have taken on a more masculine edge,' shares Isabelle Spiri, brand director. 'While our aim has always been to create mainly unisex products, acceptance among men has been slower.' To captivate this growing male demographic, Hindbag has fine-tuned its marketing, staging photo shoots with male models to enhance relatability. The brand has also introduced more traditionally masculine colors like navy blue, pine green, and cinnamon, and provides options for gender-specific or neutral linings in products like their best-selling fanny packs, adds Spiri.

At Maison&Objet, alongside essentials for the contemporary, often urban man, shoppers will find caps from Chamaye, perfect for fathers and their young ones alike. M. Moustache's sneakers, with their subtly quirky tweed or metallic leather details, meet the demands of a stylish yet comforting wardrobe. Timelessness also reigns supreme. As suggested by its name, Perpète offers long-lasting garments that effortlessly combine, perhaps with a Monsieur Charli scarf... A fine starting point. These excellent basics frequently combine an aesthetic appeal with ethical commitments. The brands boast virtuous production practices, solid craftsmanship, and high-quality, organic materials selected with care or local manufacturing.

These basics are suited to a variety of retail settings. Hindbag's renowned fanny packs, for example, are available in high-end department stores like Le Printemps, quaint neighborhood gift shops, cutting-edge concept stores, or through Nature & Découvertes and Altermundi, chains offering eco-friendly products. This versatility allows them to broadly reach a male—and, as Spiri notes, surprisingly often female—audience: “Our distributors tell us that it is usually women who purchase our brand... and give it as gifts.”