Shinsegae Men's Collection expands 'The Weeknd' line; Jeximix doubles down on men's offerings, OLZEN rolls out T.P.O. styling — inflation is steering shoppers toward "emotional practicality"
With high prices sticking around and global tensions adding uncertainty, shoppers are getting pickier about men's clothing. Beyond simple price competition, "practical value" — pieces that can handle a range of situations — has become the main purchase driver, and the men's fashion market is shifting quickly.
The all-in-one trend — a single look that works for the commute, workouts and weekend plans — is catching on especially fast with men in their mid-20s to mid-30s.
Shinsegae Live Shopping expanded the Shinsegae Men's Collection this year with a lighter, more versatile 'The Weeknd' line. The pieces are designed to move seamlessly from the commute to weekend outings without fuss.
Lycra-blend tailored denim and suede Harrington jackets marry mobility with a refined look, bridging business casual and everyday wear. The company says it will roll out items in stages so shoppers can put together complete, polished outfits without the styling headache.
The multi-use trend is showing up in athleisure too. Jeximix has been accelerating expansion of its men's line across running and gym wear and is seeing tangible results. Items worn by model Dex, in particular, posted sharp sales gains and helped boost revenue.
Among Jeximix's best-selling Magic Banding series, the men's slacks hide an internal band that preserves a tailored slacks silhouette while delivering the ease and comfort you'd expect from regular training pants.
LF has pegged "emotional practicality" as the key men's fashion theme for the 26 S/S season. The company says styles that pair functionality and versatility with a sleek, urban aesthetic are drawing attention. LF identified four core trends: Poet Core, Granola Core, City Nomad and Soft Utility.
Poet Core favors restrained silhouettes and soft fabrics to deliver looks that work from the office to daily life and even more formal settings. Granola Core brings practical, nature-inspired outdoor sensibility into everyday wear.
City Nomad highlights mobility and polish with lightweight, stretch fabrics, while Soft Utility combines workwear functionality with gentler, more refined design details.
These trends are spreading quickly among men in their mid-20s to mid-30s, and men in their 40s and 50s are also wielding growing purchasing power. A Korea Federation of Textile Industries survey found that people in their 40s and 50s account for the largest share of fashion spending, making them the market's core demographic.
They prioritize styles that fit their lifestyle over fleeting trends and tend to choose outfits strategically for each occasion.
In response, Shinsung Tongsang's menswear label OLZEN proposed T.P.O.-based styling for men in their 40s and 50s. Its lookbook covers five scenarios — outings, business, dates, cultural activities and travel — and shows how a single item can be styled across different moments.
Linen shirts, textured sweaters and functional pique tees are designed to flex with seasonal changes.
An industry source said, "Men's clothing has evolved from single-use pieces for specific situations into expandable items that cover everyday life. Brands that deliver both practicality and style will win in the marketplace."
Dongwook Kim, Reporter, east@viva100.com
