New Delhi, June 26 -- At the recent Milan and Paris fashion weeks, designers looked both backwards and forwards, reviving noteworthy archival hits while proposing fresh, experimental takes on classic menswear styling. Separates and textures were mixed, the proportions of tailoring disrupted, and the boundaries between formal and casual dress codes increasingly blurred.

At Prada, for instance, creative directors Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons brought back skinny jeans, including versions in translucent fabrics that highlighted the garments' intricate construction. Trust Prada to create clothes that defy easy classification, whether by function or era.

Another standout showcase came from Paul Smith, where influences from the designer's own ...