The foulard as a precise line

1. Small scale, strong direction

Spring 2027 moved the foulard from afterthought to organising principle. Vogue identifies side-tied silks, knitted kerchiefs and close-wrapped neck ties as one of the season’s clearest menswear signals. On the streets of Paris, Milan and Florence, the idea became immediately practical: a concise hit of colour, a softer alternative to a collar or a long vertical ribbon rather than a costume gesture.

That balance is especially useful with a men’s skirt. The skirt creates a generous, quiet plane below the waist; the foulard introduces a narrow point of focus above it. The outfit remains open and fluid without feeling unfinished. It is neither a substitute tie nor jewellery, but a distinct piece with a less formal purpose.

2. Think line, not ornament

The sharpest version begins with a narrow rectangle of silk twill: one turn around the neck, a loose knot, two ends at unequal lengths. Let the longer end reach the chest or stop just above the skirt’s waistband. Face, jacket opening and waist then align on a single axis. A high, rigid knot would interrupt the movement.

With a fuller pleated skirt, keep the foulard smaller and lighter. A flat wrap skirt can take a longer drop. A utility kilt works with a compact silk-cotton neckerchief because its refinement plays deliberately against functional construction. The useful measure here is proportion, not gender.

The foulard does not make the skirt more decorative. It makes the eye’s direction more exact.

3. SS27: freedom with discipline

The runways offered several routes to the same gesture. Monocle noted Dunhill’s cashmere-silk scarf with a pale-grey linen suit, loosely knotted as an alternative to a tie. Wallpaper* saw Hermès treat the classic silk square as a rustic neckerchief, while Celine layered fringed scarves, sashes and personal accessories. The shared proposition is a lighter way of getting dressed.

That ease still depends on construction. AP’s Milan report described opened necklines, softened tailoring and ventilation, alongside Thom Browne’s pleated skirts for men. The foulard belongs precisely here: it finishes an open neck without sealing it again. Silk moves where a tie would impose control.

4. Material, knot, breathing room

Silk twill holds an edge and is ideal for a long, narrow drop. Lightweight crêpe is softer, but should remain slim enough not to read as a stole. Silk-cashmere sits beautifully against linen tailoring; compact silk-cotton knit makes sense with twill and utility hardware. A small cloth with a dry hand is easier than a large expanse of shine.

Leave roughly one finger of room between neck and fabric. Place the knot slightly off-centre or beneath the open collar, never as a rigid bow. Pattern is strongest when the rest of the look stays within three quiet colours: oxblood with navy and charcoal, ivory with black, rust with sand and tobacco. Contrast, held in check.

5. Confidence beyond fixed codes

A foulard can be soft and still sharpen a masculine silhouette. That coexistence is what makes modern menswear compelling: firm skirt construction and moving silk, robust boots and a fine knot, familiar tailoring and new freedom. Strength does not depend on removing nuance.

“Men Can” means choosing clothes for form, material and personal conviction. A long men’s skirt is not a statement that needs daily explanation. With the right foulard, it becomes part of a complete wardrobe: personal, cultivated and entirely natural.