Lived-In Elegance Is Luxury Menswear's New Focus

Looking ahead, luxury menswear is being informed by a lived-in elegance sublimated by ease and softness.

Drawing inspiration from artists like Jean Cocteau, the Paul Smith FW 26-27 collection felt broken-in with clever details. At Prada, two brown leather jackets gave an impression they had been crumpled, folded, and exposed to an earlier life. At MSGM too, pyjamas, coats, and tailoring were softened and relaxed, with a lived-in ease that felt reassuring rather than resigned. Luxists are nodding in favour of craft-led pieces that feel lived-in yet luxurious. Think raw edges and frayed seams. All in all, AW 26/27 menswear collections allow men to celebrate their individuality while feeling part of a larger community, making fashion more meaningful and personal.

A case in point being Paul Smith Fall Winter 2026-2027 Menswear collection which was brought to life by Sam Cotton, the recently appointed head of men's design, and Helen Holmes. Rooting for a new modern sartorialism, the collection exemplified the deconstruction technique which Paul Smith single-handedly put on the map. The veteran designer's 'inside-out' suits of the late 1990s and a panoply of western-inspired shirts from the late 1980s, were reimagined with a contemporary flair. The most noteworthy aspect was their laidback, lived-in feel. A relaxed tailored dark blue suit, comprising pleated trousers and a low-waisted double-breasted jacket worn over a matching bib shirt—was the perfect balance of formality and relaxed comfort.

According to Lyst, Fall 26-27 menswear's collective focus remains on the "feel-good" fabrics like boucle and suede which add depth and a tactile dimension to layered looks. Also worth mentioning is the Prada show  which had an archaeological charm and drew from a heritage steeped in elegance. Staying true to the brand's core value of ugly chic, the silhouettes were kept purposefully unkempt.

Stylist Isha Bhansali notes that serving pieces with a lived-in vibe is a way of adding character and personality to the offerings. "When you say 'lived-in', it takes me to Balenciaga's dirty sneakers or distressed ready-to-wear. I see 'wrinkled clothing', as a way of infusing a relaxed character. It's about lending the offerings a more comfortable touch that doesn't feel too uptight. Moreover, the brands are also normalising unironed clothes by having that crinkled effect," she shares. 
She also sees this trend as a reaction to the current turn of socio-economic events impacting the world. "When the world is just so uptight currently, I feel like these relaxed silhouettes are kind of fashion's way of balancing it out," she quips. By far luxury is quietly shifting from spectacle to sincerity. Lived-in elegance isn’t about distress for effect, it’s about clothes carrying memory, movement, and meaning. At Milan menswear this season, what stood out was the confidence to let garments feel human. Designer Kunal Anil Tanna notes, "At Prada, the leather jackets looked like they had lived a life before meeting the wearer, creased by intention, not neglect. Paul Smith’s Cocteau-inspired pieces felt poetic yet practical, art translated into everyday ritual. MSGM softened tailoring and pyjamas until they felt familiar, almost comforting." 
This new luxury doesn’t shout status; it whispers longevity. It values touch, time, and emotional wearability. "In a world craving authenticity, lived-in elegance reassures us that refinement doesn’t need to be precious, it needs to be personal,” he adds.

For some design houses, lived-in elegance comes from craft — from the hand of the artisan and the quiet stories held within a garment. And our Indian craftsmanship has always embraced imperfection, texture, and time as part of beauty. Designer Abhishek Sharma points out that today’s luxury is not about stiffness or spectacle; it’s about ease, breathability, and emotional connection. "Menswear is moving toward silhouettes that feel gentle on the body and soulful in spirit — pieces that age gracefully, carry memory, and grow richer with wear. This is a more intimate form of luxury, where refinement lies in restraint, and elegance feels deeply human,” he quips.