Jeramiah Irwin, @jerairwin
The Jersey City–based designer attended Afropunk for the first time last year, and the festival’s accepting ethos made him come back again this year. “I love festivals in general, but this one to me is so different. Everyone is so friendly. There’s no judgment,” he says. “It’s really true what they say—the no sexism, no homophobia here.” And given the opportunity to fully express himself, Jeremiah chose a denim corset and ripped jeans that were inspired by the pop-country music he’s been listening to. Says Irwin, “I was going to wear a cowboy hat, but I’m saving that for later.”
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consumer drivers
Athletes as Style Icons
Athletes are turning games and events into fashion moments where they can impress and express, inspiring consumers to follow suit. Bas, Designer and Founder of The Hideout Clothing, “As athletes continue to influence fashion, their presence transforms most events, even a game, into a runway moment.”
As consumers increasingly strive for the combination of versatility, comfort, and style, the “Sport Luxe” theme that we highlight in MMGNET's FW25/26 Men's Contemporary & Young Men's Buyer's Guide continues to dominate the market. The guide describes the “Sports Luxe” theme as apparel, footwear, and accessories that blend high-end fabrics with sporty basics, oversized fits, and elevated neutrals. At PROJECT Las Vegas, this trend will take center stage, with key brands showcasing their latest collections that embody this intersection of performance and contemporary. We spoke with leading brands embracing this shift to explore what’s driving consumer interest and which styles are going to be must-haves this season.
From left to right: GOAT BY JAMES KING; BLEND; VERDICTSTILLOUT
must-haves
From left to right: GOAT BY JAMES KING; GOORIN BROS; BLEND
Technical Materials
“Performance-driven fabrics blur casual-formal boundaries,” Shares Lambros Potagas, Country Manager of Blend. His round up of must-have pieces that embody the fusion of elevated silhouettes and technical materials includes: The Tech-Enhanced Coach Jacket which has a “Tailored silhouette with water-resistant nylon and reflective piping,” the Layered Knit Sweater which features a, “relaxed fit with technical fibers, zippered side slits, and contrast panels,” and the Hybrid Joggers which utilize stretch jersey yet have a “polished finish.”
Bas, the founder of The Hideout Clothing, shares, “[Our jogger sets] combine a sleek, contemporary design with functional elements such as removable parts and waterproof fabric.” He adds, “Our dry-fit gear also aligns with this aesthetic, offering high functionality while remaining stylish.”
Unexpected Materials
In the accessories space, Goorin Bros innovates by incorporating unexpected materials. “Two examples of Sport Luxe are our technical crinkle nylon Papa Tech caps and our Pre-game luxe sneaker leather trucker caps. Leveraging performance and sport details and materials in products no longer intended for those specific uses, is at the root of this direction.”
Sports on-and-off the field have become more fashion-centric. Once simply wearing jerseys and team uniforms, athletes' airtime has gone beyond just the game, extending to tunnel walks and social media platforms resulting in more opportunities to represent their personal style and multi-faceted personas outside the field. Similarly, the lives of consumers, who idolize these athletes, have become more complex with WFH lifestyles and increased access to new experiences where they can sport their aspirational looks. As a result, menswear has fused “sport” and “luxe” so that your shoppers, whether they are athletes or sports fans, can look good on-and-off the field, and in-and-out of the office.
the next play
From left to right: THE HIDEOUT CLOTHING; GOORIN BROS
Brand Credit: The Hideout Clothing
Register today to shop the future of “Sport Luxe” firsthand at PROJECT Las Vegas this February 10-12, 2025.
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Playful Dressing & Nostalgia
Similarly to the role of sports and physical exercise in boosting mental and physical health, clothing can have therapeutic properties too. Andrea Chynoweth, VP of Product and Innovation at Goorin Bros shares, “The Goorin® FW25/26 collection was inspired by the modern truth that in a world of social, economic, and ecological uncertainty, pleasure and authenticity are more important than ever.” And what’s more authentic and care-free than taping back into your child? Goorin’s styling inspiration, “blends untraditional, and ironic takes on Menswear, Manners, Outdoors, Sport and Kidult influences.”
By putting on a certain look, just like a uniform, the wearer is able to tap into a certain action or persona. Through the playful, multi-colored stripes and flowers on The Hideout Clothing’s jogger sets, Blend’s take on ‘90s nostalgia with an elevated sports jersey and neutral-toned flannels, or Goorin’s Teddy Bear hat, evoking memories of childhood, the consumer is better able to play, explore, and imagine.
Blurring Boundaries in Fashion & Identity
“Modern style is based upon a mash-up of influences, including athletic, luxury, outdoors, performance, masculine, feminine, childlike, nostalgia. And our time is spent seamlessly toggling between the physical and virtual worlds, where we have identities that exist and blur across both.’ philosophizes Andrea Chynoweth, VP of Product & Innovation at Goorin Bros. Each Goorin Bros hat features a distinct animal and playful colorways, allowing consumers to express their identity and embody their personal "spirit animal" through their choice of hat.
He adds, “Things are less differentiated and defined than in the past, and there is more room for originality, surprise and fun.” And despite being a menswear brand, The Hideout Clothing, incorporates a female model in its editorial shoot, showcasing a lack of differentiation and an encouragement of fluidity.
Published February 2025
Explore more trends that will help shape the FW25/26 season by watching MMGNET's FW25/26 Mens Trends Digital Session.
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