Jonathan Anderson’s Dior feels like real life but with a twist
Bar jackets, cargo shorts, and ribbon-tied vests signal a shift toward ease and individuality
Dior’s spring-summer 2026 collection isn’t just a new chapter, it’s a whole new story. With Jonathan Anderson now at the creative lead, the house has left behind the slim, polished tailoring we saw under Maria Grazia Chiuri and Kim Jones. What replaced it? Something looser, more human and honestly, more fun.
Jonathan’s debut feels like he ripped open Dior’s archive and rearranged it through his own lens. The iconic Bar jacket opened the show, but this time it was reworked as a menswear piece, still cinched and elegant, but styled in a way that felt effortless and fresh. It set the tone: historical codes were being toyed with, not worshipped.
A standout across the collection was the use of shorts, specifically, cargo shorts with layered side flaps that swayed with movement. They were styled with cropped vests that cut just above the hip bone, some fastened with soft ribbon ties, some left undone entirely. It was structured and relaxed at the same time, a mix Jonathan does so well.
There’s a newfound approachability to this Dior. Denim jeans made multiple appearances, often paired with vests for an easy, off-duty kind of energy. Footwear leaned into the grounded side too. High-top suede sneakers and fisherman sandals (also in soft suede) gave the looks a lived-in edge. These clothes weren’t made just for the runway; they looked like something a real person might wear out in the world, just elevated.
That sense of individuality came through in the little off-kilter details. Some pants were cuffed on just one leg. High necks marched down the runway, styled with oversized bowties that gave a touch of aristocratic drama but done in a winky, playful way. Belts and bags came with chunky buckles stamped with the CD insignia, offering a bit of logo flash without feeling too serious.
The silhouettes leaned eclectic and some sculptural, others totally relaxed. It felt like a collection in conversation with itself: part fantasy, part reality. That mix is exactly what makes Jonathan Anderson such an exciting new chapter for Dior.
In short, this wasn’t about presenting some unreachable idea of luxury. It was about giving Dior back to the people—one ribbon-tied vest and cuffed pant leg at a time.
