These 7 trends range from bright sneakers that work on casual Fridays to colorful suits that only make sense in creative fields.
1. Colorful Suits
A yellow suit stands out in a way navy never will. Pair it with a striped shirt in light blue or white to keep the proportions right: the suit should hold attention, not compete with busy layers underneath.
The fit has to be tight.
A loose yellow suit reads costume; a structured one with a clean shoulder line reads confident. Keep accessories minimal.
This look is high-risk in conservative offices, but perfect for creative fields and weekend events where standing out is the point.
2. Bold Sneakers
Bright soles on black sneakers give you color without the commitment of a loud upper. The contrast pulls focus down, which works when the rest of your outfit sits in one dark tone.
All-black clothing can flatten fast.
Blue soles break that up while keeping the silhouette intact. Look for sneakers with a defined sole edge so the color reads clearly, not as an afterthought.
This setup works for casual Fridays and weekend wear. Leather sneakers hold up better than canvas if you plan to rotate them often.
3. Double Breasted Blazers
A double-breasted blazer in navy gives structure that a single-breasted version can’t match. The peaked lapels and gold buttons here add formality, but the piece still works over a striped shirt and white trousers for summer events.
Button stance decides how the blazer looks.
If the bottom button sits too low, the blazer pulls and rides up when you move. Try it on and sit down before buying.
White trousers lighten the look and balance the weight of the jacket. A red clutch or pocket square adds one accent without crowding the outfit.
4. Baggy Trousers
Baggy trousers in dark grey or charcoal sit lower on the waist and break over the shoe, which changes the silhouette completely.
The relaxed fit works best when the top half stays fitted: a cardigan or sweater that ends at the hip keeps proportions clear.
Pair them with white sneakers or dress shoes in a light color. Dark shoes on dark baggy trousers can run together and lose definition.
This style suits taller frames better. Shorter men should keep the inseam shorter so the fabric doesn’t pool at the ankle.
5. Denim Shirts
A denim shirt in light blue or grey pairs with black trousers and works across casual and business-casual settings. The fabric holds its shape better than chambray and resists wrinkles after a full day.
Leave the top button open and skip the undershirt if the fit is close. A loose denim shirt needs to be tucked; a fitted one can stay out.
Wash it cold and hang dry to keep the color from fading too fast. Denim softens with wear, so buy it slightly stiffer than feels comfortable.
6. Short Shorts
Short shorts above the knee change the line of your legs and work best in warm weather when exposed skin makes sense. Pair them with a fitted sweater or polo to keep the top half balanced.
The inseam should sit above the knee.
Longer than that and they read as regular shorts rolled up. Choose neutral colors like tan, brown, or olive so the length is the statement, not the color.
Flip-flops keep the look casual. Swap them for loafers or canvas sneakers if you’re heading somewhere with a dress code.
7. Distressed Jeans
Rips and worn patches on denim make the material look lived-in without the years of actual wear. The distressing should sit at the knees and thighs where fabric naturally breaks down, not scattered randomly across the leg.
Grey and light blue washes show distressing more clearly than dark indigo. Black jeans with heavy distressing can look forced unless the rest of the outfit stays simple.
Pair them with a leather jacket or plain t-shirt to let the jeans carry the texture. Too many layers and the distressing gets lost.
Mixing Colors
Green sits somewhere between blue’s neutrality and yellow’s noise.
The shade decides where it fits.
Bright lime or kelly green needs a plain backdrop: white trousers, grey sneakers, nothing else competing. Olive and sage act more like neutrals and handle patterns better.
Mixing two greens in one outfit can work if the tones sit far apart. A dark green jacket over a mint shirt gives contrast; 2 mid-tone greens just blur together.
Start with one green piece and build around it in neutrals. Once that feels right, add a second green or swap in another accent color like rust or burgundy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did people used to wear in 2016?
Men wore colorful suits in yellow and bright tones, sneakers with bold colored soles, and baggy trousers paired with fitted tops.
Distressed jeans, short shorts above the knee, and double-breasted blazers also defined the year. Light-wash denim shirts were worn everywhere, from weekends to the office.
How to dress 2016 themed?
Start with a fitted yellow or brightly colored suit over a striped shirt, or pair baggy dark trousers with a fitted cardigan.
Add black sneakers with blue or colored soles, or wear distressed light-wash jeans with a plain t-shirt. Double-breasted blazers, short shorts with fitted sweaters, and denim shirts with black trousers all capture the period.
