At Paris Fashion Week, Lacoste presented a Fall/Winter 2026 collection that felt both poetic and grounded in heritage. Under the creative direction of Pelagia Kolotouros, the brand transformed the legendary Court Philippe-Chatrier into a rain-interrupted tennis match—an atmospheric stage where sport, weather, and memory collided.
The show unfolded like a quiet narrative. The court looked washed by rain, the air heavy with anticipation, as if a match had just paused mid-point. But rather than focusing purely on tennis, Kolotouros used the setting to explore the broader legacy of Lacoste. Sport became the vocabulary; Parisian elegance became the grammar.
A Palette Shaped by the Elements
The color palette reflected the emotional shift of a storm passing over the court. Cool tones—muted greys, deep navy, and washed blues—slowly warmed into richer shades: clay reds, moss greens, and sunlit neutrals. It felt like the sky clearing after rain, when surfaces gleam and colors intensify.
This elemental palette echoed the idea of clothing as protection: garments designed to shield the body while maintaining the effortless refinement that defines Lacoste.
The Evolution of the Lacoste Silhouette
Menswear pieces explored elongated silhouettes, subtly dropped waists, and fluid proportions that added modernity without abandoning the brand’s codes.
Key elements included:
- Long, streamlined coats that carried a sense of Parisian polish
- Technical outerwear refined with tailored structure
- Relaxed trousers sitting lower on the waistline
- Knitwear and polo interpretations that stretched the familiar Lacoste identity into new territory
The garments moved between sport and tailoring with ease. Windbreakers looked as elegant as classic overcoats, while athletic pieces gained sophistication through sharp cuts and thoughtful layering.
Protection Meets Elegance
There was a protective quality throughout the collection. Lightweight waterproof fabrics, layered silhouettes, and enveloping shapes suggested garments designed for unpredictable weather—much like the rain-interrupted match that inspired the show.
Yet nothing felt overly technical. Kolotouros ensured that elegance remained the priority, reminding the audience that Lacoste has always belonged to Paris as much as to the tennis court.
Lacoste as a Paris House
Perhaps the most striking takeaway from the Fall/Winter 2026 menswear pieces was this subtle shift in narrative. The crocodile emblem may originate from sport, but the brand’s identity today speaks fluently in the language of Parisian fashion.
This collection reaffirmed that legacy: sophisticated, quietly confident, and rooted in a culture where sport and style have always lived side by side.
With Fall/Winter 2026, Lacoste did not abandon tennis—it simply reframed it. The court became a metaphor, and the clothes told the story.
