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DSQUARED2’s Fall/Winter 2025 Pre-Collegiate Menswear Collection is anything but traditional. The Canadian twins behind the label, Dean and Dan Caten, return to their roots while unapologetically rewriting the rules of collegiate fashion. The result is a collection that fuses rebellious streetwear with polished tailoring—layered, oversized, gender-fluid, and loaded with attitude.

This isn’t prep school by the book—it’s prep school after hours, post-party, layered with references to punk, grunge, and ‘90s Americana. With exaggerated silhouettes, cheeky details, and a masterful play on nostalgia, the DSQUARED2 man is anything but ordinary.

Rebel Academia: A New Vision of Ivy League Cool

DSQUARED2 has always thrived on contradiction. In the FW25 Pre-Collegiate Menswear lineup, traditional prep-school codes—argyle sweaters, varsity jackets, and pleated trousers—are shredded, stretched, layered, and distressed. The aesthetic teeters between private school and punk band, creating a look that’s as intellectual as it is irreverent.

Think slouchy blazers over hoodie sweatshirts, ties worn with ripped jeans, and plaid kilts styled over oversized cargos. The collection is both playful and provocative, tapping into the Gen Z desire for fashion that pushes boundaries and expresses identity.

Signature DSQUARED2 Styling: Low-Slung, Layered, and Loud

The collection’s styling is quintessentially DSQUARED2. Low-rise pants dominate, paired with cropped knits, oversized bomber jackets, and chunky footwear. Layering is a central theme—often to chaotic but deliberate effect. It’s common to see three or four shirts worn simultaneously, collars jutting out, sleeves hanging loose, textures clashing.

Despite the wildness, every look is calculated. Leather mixes with wool, mesh underlays peek from beneath structured coats, and plaid is everywhere—used across pants, scarves, jackets, and skirts. DSQUARED2 doesn’t just layer clothing; it layers culture, references, and attitudes.

A New Kind of Uniform

The Pre-Collegiate Collection proposes a fresh take on the idea of a “uniform.” It borrows elements from school dress codes—oxford shirts, knit vests, long socks—and smashes them together with street and club aesthetics. One model pairs a school blazer with cutoff denim shorts and a fur-trimmed parka. Another wears a rugby shirt over a mesh tank, layered beneath a distressed leather trench.

The result? A visual rebellion that feels lived-in and expressive. These aren’t garments meant to blend in. They’re tools of personal storytelling—imperfect, disruptive, and defiantly cool.

Tailoring with an Edge

Despite the collection’s layered chaos, tailoring remains a cornerstone. DSQUARED2 showcases expertly cut jackets and trousers, but they’re never too pristine. Instead, they’re treated with frayed hems, asymmetrical construction, or graffiti-style embroidery. The lines are sharp, yet often subverted through punk details—safety pins, straps, and patches.

The collection’s suit jackets come cropped or oversized, often styled over hoodies or bare skin. Pants feature exaggerated flares or purposeful distressing. Even trench coats, a staple of polished menswear, are reimagined with bold shoulders, buckles, and jagged hems.

From Campus to Club: A Versatile Wardrobe

Part of what makes this collection successful is its adaptability. While rooted in the concept of school life, the pieces can transition easily to nightlife, streetwear, or editorial styling. A DSQUARED2 man can wear a preppy sweater vest with tailored joggers during the day, then throw on a leather jacket and boots at night.

This cross-functionality speaks to the modern man’s need for flexibility without compromising identity. DSQUARED2 doesn’t offer outfits—it offers characters, personas, and moods.

Color Palette: Autumnal Tones with Urban Punch

FW25’s menswear palette leans into warm, collegiate-inspired hues: burgundy, navy, forest green, and tan. These are offset by bold injections of neon orange, electric blue, and glossy black. Metallics and high-shine elements offer contrast and unexpected glamour.

Prints are varied and dynamic: tartan dominates, but it’s joined by abstract graffiti, camo, moose graphics, and DSQUARED2 logos. Despite the visual busyness, the designers strike a careful balance between nostalgia and forward-thinking polish.

Gender Fluidity: Fashion Without Borders

In true DSQUARED2 form, this menswear collection isn’t just for men. Many pieces echo or directly share elements from the womenswear line—kilts, fitted cardigans, oversized button-downs, and even sheer pieces appear across both.

This intentional fluidity mirrors larger cultural shifts in fashion. It’s not about designing for gender—it’s about designing for personality. The Pre-Collegiate FW25 line empowers wearers to play, experiment, and define their own rules.

Accessories That Amplify the Attitude

No DSQUARED2 look is complete without its accessories. This season, the details are bold and unapologetic. Think:

• Chunky combat boots and platform sneakers
• Oversized beanies and plaid caps
• Layered belts, some dangling, others corset-like
• Safety pin jewelry, logo chains, and spiked bracelets
• College scarves reimagined with patchwork and distressing

Backpacks and crossbody bags are present but styled almost ironically—as if mocking their functional origins. Everything has a touch of humor, irony, or provocation.

Nods to ’90s and Early 2000s Subcultures

FW25 is rich in references, especially to ‘90s grunge, ‘00s skater culture, and early aughts punk revival. The layering, distressing, and badge-laden styling echo the fashion of angsty teenage years—but elevated through a luxury lens.

Yet, the designers are self-aware. They aren’t mimicking nostalgia; they’re manipulating it. The result is something new: a visual pastiche that honors its inspirations while standing entirely on its own.

Runway Energy: Attitude in Motion

Even off the rack, DSQUARED2’s FW25 Pre-Collegiate Menswear exudes motion. On the runway, this energy exploded. Models stomped with purpose, hair tousled and undone, makeup smudged and defiant. The soundtrack was frenetic—a mix of rock, punk, and underground hip hop—which matched the chaotic cool of the clothes.

The energy wasn’t just performance—it was message. These clothes are about individuality, identity, and showing up boldly in a world that demands conformity.

Commercial Appeal and Street-Style Magnetism

While DSQUARED2 has never been mainstream, the Pre-Collegiate FW25 Menswear collection walks the line between art and wearability. Its low-rise trousers, logo-heavy knits, and oversized outerwear are destined to trend on TikTok, Instagram, and among fashion-forward celebrities.

For fashion insiders, there’s a deeper appeal: the way DSQUARED2 continuously evolves its storytelling while remaining rooted in its unapologetic DNA. Retailers will gravitate toward the collection’s punchy separates—especially outerwear and statement knits—while stylists will be drawn to its editorial boldness.

Conclusion: A Lesson in Contradiction, Confidence, and Chaos

The FW25 Pre-Collegiate Menswear collection is a masterclass in contradiction. It’s polished but messy, nostalgic yet fresh, traditional yet disruptive. With their characteristic sense of humor and irreverence, Dean and Dan Caten deliver another winning season that captures the spirit of youth, rebellion, and creativity.

This is not fashion for the faint of heart. It’s for those who dress to be seen, heard, and remembered. DSQUARED2 once again proves that the rules of menswear are meant to be broken—and that when done with this much style, breaking the rules never looked so good.