From the runway to the streets, here’s how to rock the latest menswear trends

When style is timeless, trends swing like a pendulum. Infinite motion from one extreme to the other is a simple way for brands to get your attention. From London, to Paris, via Milan, most used a form of self-hypnosis during their spring 2019 menswear collections – and in more than 200 fashion shows, it was impossible to find a clear pattern for a distinct print or colour that stands out. The presentations threw up florals, bright neon, snakeskin prints, soft palettes, vintage denim, striking stripes and leather trousers.

Virgil Abloh and Kim Jones brought a sense of streetwear to luxury fashion houses Louis Vuitton and Dior Homme. Once ignored by the major brands, streetwear remains a strong presence in the fashion capitals with oversized silhouettes, hoodies, five-panel caps, backpacks and trainers.

1. Utilitarian aesthetic

Virgil Abloh’s first collection for Louis Vuitton was the most popular of the season, and one item – the harness – caused a frenzy. The popular accessory in the gay leather bondage community was turned into a colourful harness with pockets. The utilitarian accessory got lots of attention on the red carpet when Hollywood’s golden boy Timothée Chalamet wore an embroidered harness, followed by Chinese rapper Kris Wu. At Dries Van Noten, the Belgian designer styled his model with a transparent bumbag over a double-breasted suit. At Ermenegildo Zegna, it was a chest rig worn under the jacket. Accessories became a little fancier, whether it was a long key-chain holder or bumbag. That will ensure hands-free style and empty pockets this summer.

2. Briefly speaking