From Dries Van Noten to Christian Louboutin, and not forgetting Parisian favorite Ami, footwear is noticeably more exploratory. Suede loafers for globe-trotters, revisited flat sneaker silhouettes at Dries Van Noten, or combat boots at Christian Louboutin. Menswear this season is very much tout terrain. Designers explored style in real-life contexts, grounded in movement and versatility. These are pieces you can wear now, seamlessly, wherever the day takes you.

Accessories follow the same principle. Utilitarian multi-pocket bags (as seen at Christian Louboutin with Jaden Smith) exist alongside playful sheep-shaped bags at Jacquemus, a contradictory tension that speaks to multi-faceted men: those who shop for leisure but also for moments that spark real conversation. This season, accessories and footwear feel noticeably more curious than what we’ve traditionally seen for the modern gentleman. Some might call it “fun,” but it reads more like creative curiosity.

I recall being introduced to Louboutin by Jaden Smith, who said: “My starting point was revisiting the tuxedo shoe through a more juvenile lens, because men were first introduced to the brand through occasion dressing.” Now there’s room for contemporary reinterpretations of classics through a lighter, playful lens. At Dries Van Noten, nostalgia was present throughout: men appeared almost like schoolboys, carrying satchels and wearing high-top sneakers for days filled with responsibilities, and playful activities.