H&M x Elie Saab: The Menswear Is Worth a Second Look

H&M’s latest designer collaboration has arrived, and while the womenswear is understandably commanding most of the attention, men would be wise not to scroll past just yet.

Launching today, 22 October, the ELIE SAAB x H&M collection brings the Lebanese couturier’s signature approach to glamour to the high street. Best known for his elaborate haute couture and red-carpet creations, Saab has built a world around rich detailing, considered tailoring and clothes that understand the importance of making an entrance. His first venture into menswear makes this collaboration particularly interesting.

The men’s offering may be more tightly edited than the womenswear, but there are some compelling pieces to be found. Monogrammed silk separates bring a more relaxed, louche quality to occasion dressing, while a sharply cut double-breasted tuxedo blazer and satin-striped trousers offer a sophisticated alternative to the usual black-tie uniform. An embroidered tuxedo shirt adds a little personality to formalwear, while an oversized monogram T-shirt provides an easier entry point into Saab’s visual world.

There’s a clear thread running through it all: traditional eveningwear codes, given a more contemporary attitude. Rather than simply reproducing the designer’s extravagant couture aesthetic, the menswear takes its cues from the details, silhouettes and sense of occasion that define the house.

This is not a collection to approach expecting an entirely new everyday wardrobe. Instead, think statement pieces that can earn their place when the invitation calls for something more considered than the usual shirt and trousers.

The takeaway? The womenswear might have the spectacle, but the menswear has some serious potential.

Shop the ELIE SAAB x H&M menswear collection.