Push the envelope — just not too far.
That’s the strategy that Vince took with its men’s spring 2027 collection.
In the early days, the Vince men’s collection was more like a young son to the brand’s more sophisticated women’s line. But over the years the offering has matured and elevated — and customers have responded.
In reporting Vince’s first-quarter earnings in June, chief executive officer Brendan Hoffman said: “Our men’s business remains a significant growth opportunity,” citing some of the category’s most popular items, including novelty textured knits and polos, linen pants, shirts and jackets and “head-to-toe dressing.”
To further grow the menswear, chief creative director Caroline Belhumeur took a gentle approach to newness, tweaking these customer favorites in terms of color and with subtle updates. For example, lightweight relaxed cabana shirts had a slightly longer back, and trousers were relaxed and flowing with double pleats, offering customers familiar and understandable silhouettes but with just enough novelty to look fresh.
The color palette was also updated with shades of blue, yellow, burnt orange, taupe and chocolate brown, refreshing the traditional black, navy and white tones so prevalent in menswear.
“For our men’s spring 2027 collection, we were inspired by the energy and colors of the Mediterranean,” Belhumeur said. “The relaxed way of life there is in many ways similar to our own in California, so the easy, European refinement that exists in how people dress felt like a natural reference point for us.”
She added that the collection overall offers “an effortless confidence and optimism, which comes through in the relaxed tailoring and palette of seaside blues and bursts of oranges and yellows.”
Another noticeable update was the introduction of more leather pieces, including a suede trench and bomber jacket that Belhumeur believes “bring a strong editorial point of view to the mix.”
Hemp was prevalent in the collection in a number of different silhouettes. “Our hemp bottoms have been consistent bestsellers for us as well, so we’ve added a pleated short and trouser in the same fabrication to give him a slightly dressier silhouette that can stretch across different occasions,” the designer added.
Belhumeur’s ability to push the boundaries without alienating Vince’s core customer should help the California-based brand continue to expand its reach in menswear.
