2026 has been a year that flipped the tried-and-tested menswear sartorial script. Think shirtless tailoring, subversive layering, bespoke pieces informed by women's couture and nonchalant maximalism. The boring black tuxedo no longer cuts it whether it's a red-carpet event back home or internationally. It's about bringing in clever details, an unexpected approach to styling and a decidedly internet breaking flex. So far, the year clearly belongs to the peacocks and dandies, who weren't averse to donning statement jewellery, look-at-me tailoring and even flashing some skin. Global pop cultural icons warmed up to the age-old haute couture values of heritage houses like Chanel and Schiaparelli. Bad Bunny in bespoke Schiaparelli and A$AP Rocky in custom Chanel come to mind instantly! Homegrown brands too upped the game offering actors some experimental, yet failproof ensembles sublimated with bold embroideries, tone on tone layering and a playful silhouette mashup. Here's some of this year's key contenders for the best dressed lot, who pushed the style envelope and set new sartorial precedents with these game-changing looks.
Harry Styles once again brought back the short shorts into menswear focus. The singer cut a striking silhouette in “5 minute Early” jacket in black wool suiting with a contrast teal shirt collar layered over a crisp smart shirt and a polka dotted tie from Charles Jeffery LOVERBOY styled with a black self-belted pair of shorts inspired by vintage sportswear with a tailored twist. Chic and cheeky!
Known for his sharp yet boyish personal style, Gen Z heartthrob Ishaan Khatter rocked a sharp Gaurav Gupta Man ensemble. Looking every bit the showstopper that he is, Khatter was a vision in an ivory Orbit Jacket featuring tonal Art-Nouveau embroidery. He paired the jacket with GG's signature pin-tuck column shirt. Layered yet laid back, pretty much like Ishaan's easy-going vibe. Easily one of the actor's sharpest looks this year.
Southern sensation Vijay Deverakonda hit all the right style notes in a custom dark blue velvet ensemble by Falguni Shane Peacock featuring intricate embroidery, dragon motifs, and a dramatic powder-blue taffeta silk cape, accessorised with a bold emerald-green statement necklace, during his sangeet celebration with Rashmika Mandanna in Udaipur in February 2026. More is definitely more!
A Chanel junkie and a regular fixture at the brand's front row, A$AP Rocky looked dishy in a custom Chanel look designed by Matthieu Blazy at the Met Gala. This dapper look featured a pink wool robe accented with black satin lapels and piping, paired with a white cotton shirt, black trousers, and Chanel High Jewelry. A signature black silk and feather camellia pinned to the lapel added to a chic finish. This remarkable creation took 194 hours to come to life.
Known for an impressive collection of Bottega and Chanel handbags, Internet's fav boyfriend Jacob Elordi gave us a lesson on tonal layering as he cut a striking figure in a monochromatic slate-grey Bottega Veneta suit. Not surprisingly, the sharp and layered red-carpet appearance went viral as Elordi protected his co-star Margot Robbie from the pouring rain. How chivalrous and old school Brontë!
Mr Khanna (as he's known on IG) has always been an epitome of timeless, elegant personal style. The sharpshooter lent a sporty edge to an asymmetrical ensemble from the contemporary label Antar-Agni (by Ujjawal Dubey), whose fluid drapes he frequently champions. Clean, minimal and sporty!
Sitarist and music producer Rishab Rikhiram Sharma performed in an ornate AJSK Man look at his Singapore Show. His Maharaja-inspired ensemble comprised an overlap style inner kurta layered with a pure gold tissue Choga, handcrafted with intricate Zardozi borders in boota patterns. It was paired with straight gold pants. A pure Zardozi belt completed the look with hand-embroidered elephants and horse motifs. Regal, royal and impactful - much like Rishab's personal style and his soulful music.
Giving major style inspo to all the groomsmen and would-be-grooms out there, Ibrahim slayed it in a maximalist Abhinav Mishra creation. Along with sister Sara, the actor walked for the designer's couture collection titled 'The Shrine'. Needless to add that Ibrahim turned heads in a signature mirrorwork embroidered sherwani set. Poised and polished in equal measure!
Walking for Hyderabad-based designer Jayanti Reddy at India Couture Week, Siddharth perfectly coordinated wife Aditi Rao's champagne gold and beige ensemble which featured fine hand-embroidery and Nizami-inspired craftsmanship. Ditching a shirt underneath the jacket, he opted for a statement necklace instead. A chic way to go shirtless with some traditional jewellery.
Bad Bunny at the 2026 Grammys looked sensational in a sleek tuxedo from Schiaparelli—the first-ever major menswear red carpet moment for the label. Not many know that Bad Bunny’s dapper monochrome ensemble was actually derived from a womenswear look that first came down the brand’s spring 2023 couture runway in Paris. The sculptural black tuxedo featured a laced-up detail along the rear of the blazer. For a chic finish, there was also the Schiaparelli signature of a measuring tape motif embroidered onto the lapels. The ensemble was offset with Cartier jewellery. Refreshing and palate-cleansing.