PRADA SS26 MEN’S: GOOD VIBES ONLY (OR ELSE)
- Camz
- Sep 9, 2025
- 3 min read
Stripped-back serenity meets sartorial optimism
Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, evidently weary of the endless carousel of doom, decided at SS26 that the world could use a dose of optimism, though, knowing them, with an ear-roll attached.
Their menswear show in blazing-hot Milan felt like an antidote to anxiety. Backstage, Miuccia confessed it had been nearly impossible to concentrate amidst the relentless news cycle. Fast-forward three months and, astonishingly, despite the world still teetering on metaphorical brink, they opted for hope nevertheless.
The venue was “completely gutted.” Goodbye to the usual oppressive scaffolding, hello to benches around a cavernous shell of a space, because nothing says “fresh start” like minimalist brutalism.
Details that whisper ‘i might care, but not too much’
From the first look: tidy white shirts paired with absurdly high-cut shorts that teetered between swimwear and underwear, because why not destabilize expectations while we still can?
Tracksuits layered under trench coats and blazers with rolled sleeves, ethics meets “i do what I want,” embodied this collection’s non-conformist harmonies.
Colourplay punctuated the sober tailoring. Greys, navy and monochrome silhouettes were jolted to life with cobalt blue, red, green, yellow and violet.
Gentler moments of butter yellow, blush pink and mint lulled you into a false sense of serenity. Accessories included raffia flowerpot hats and boat shoes with lofty socks. Yes, boat shoes. Because every well-dressed man should feel like he’s about to disembark on a languid yacht ride.
Making minimalism feel like a beach holiday
The environment matched the clothes: raw concrete, exposed beams, ambient birdsong and cowbells. Because if you're stripping your show bare, might as well throw in a soundscape that makes you question whether you're at a spiritual retreat. The tone felt meditative, as if Miuccia and Raf had whispered: “Let’s just do less.” And they meant it.
In hindsight it was this vibe, not power suits or alpha masculinity, that defined Prada SS26. As both designers confirmed, the idea was not to respond to events, but to create calm. To reject useless, complicated ideas in favour of instinct, ease and quiet confidence.
The bold shorts (and the unspoken question: seriously?)
Of course, no self-respecting Prada menswear show would bypass controversy. Enter the micro shorts: sparky, shocking shorts that flirted with being skimpy bloomers, Speedo flirts or diaper-like minimalism. Praised as gentle and freeing by the designers, they were also undeniably awkward. One critic quipped that “who is actually going to wear them?” Met with equal parts laughter and admiration for the audacity.
These tiny tailoring defied norms and flirted with innocence, even if the look felt like it needed a warning label. Still, washed lightweight peacoats, floral smocks and precisely cropped trousers offset the risqué. Prada’s version of “balance” with a wink.
Conclusion: a hopeful collection that makes you wonder if the optimism is for real
In conclusion, Prada SS26 menswear delivered a collection that was as much about emotional resonance as it was about fabric and form.
The stripped-back space, the gentle palette contrasted with shocking short-shorts, and the refusal of aggression all combined to suggest a quieter revolution: clothes meant to be felt, worn, and dare we say lived in. It offered not spectacle but subtle suggestion, a sartorial exhale.
And if that feels a little too earnest, well, remember: this is Prada. Good vibes only, plus a side of theatrical irony.
