A renewed focus on textile quality is obvious on men's wear runways and among boutique luxury brands. The trend indicates a subtle shift towards valuing humanity and craftsmanship as a form of luxury. 

A well-made piece of clothing does not have to be flashy or extravagant. A key trait of Menswear is subtlety, a cue from tailoring practices where button and vent placement on a suit jacket are important design details. In daily wear, these details are applied to material composition and (tactile and visual) texture. 

At its core, menswear is often described as extremely thoughtful yet visually simple. This is why textiles are so crucial in luxury men’s fashion. The difference between a silk and cotton linen, or a blend of the two, can make a huge impact on the feel and semiotics of a look. Silk communicates classic luxury and formality, whereas cotton (in most contexts) communicates calm and casual. Blending the two together creates a wonderful design that communicates all these things. 

A wonderful luxury boutique example is Stoffa. The label is based in New York, helmed by Nicholas Ragosta and Agyesh Madan. Stoffa places great emphasis on the natural origin of fabric and dyes. The founders wanted to create a label that focused on the beautiful, slow, and meditative process of creating clothing.

Stoffa uses flax-based Anthracite Linen. Stoffa uses hand-operated knitting and weaving machines to ensure that each textile retains its quality throughout the entire manufacturing process. The textile has a wonderful, knitted texture, and the immense effort into the garment from start to finish turns a simple, casual sweater into a celebration of craft. That is what luxury is about. Men’s fashion does not often show craftmanship as obviously as women's wear, with beading and ornate embroidery. Instead, pieces must have the meaning (literally) woven into them.

Stoffa collaborates with a second-generation maker in Gallarate, Italy, with a mastery in silk and knit pique. Pique is a term used to describe fabric that has a distinct geometric or waffle-like texture. 

Stoffa.com - The Short Sleeve Knit T-Shirt is 100% Linen

In the summer of 2025, Jonathan Anderson made his debut at Dior. Look 11 in the collection was a standout for its soft purple moiré waistcoat. The textile is an extremely luxurious French fabric commonly worn and used by royalty. The look has a playful energy due to the colour, which contrasts wonderfully with the high-formality textile. Paired with white slouchy pants and floral shoes, the look is a play on gender, youth and formality. Anderson said that the collection was meant to be evocative of youth culture, and wearing clothes that were passed down. The collection was therefore full of historical references. 

Look 11 in Dior Spring 2026 Menswear 

Louis XV had walls covered in Silk Moiré, and Queen Victoria was painted several times in gowns created with the textile. The textile is so loaded with meaning and royal associations, and yet the way Anderson applied it gives this unique, playful yet luxurious energy.

Queen Victoria in a Purple Moiré Gown in a colour quite similar to Anderson’s waistcoat. 

‘The Marriage of Victoria, Princess Royal, 25 January 1858’ by John Phillip, dated 1860

The Dior look references “La Cigale,” a garment created by Christian Dior himself for his Fall/Winter 1952-53 collection. The dress is highly structured and crafted from silk moiré. 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Anderson's use of silk moiré in his debut was such a loaded choice, but it might not be immediately noticeable. This is what makes men’s fashion compelling. Often, the subversion or innovation of fashion can be found within the fabric.

The emphasis on textile quality in fashion is important to note because it forces consumers to be more thoughtful about where they spend their money.  A great emphasis on clothing as a “good investment” is evident in the cult-like resurgence of the Birkin and Chrome Hearts. In Menswear, this investment approach to purchasing is evident in the luxurious textile choices and designers' emphasis on craft.