For a house founded in 1946, Dior does not need to channel 18th-century flourishes, as it describes the Fall 2026 Men’s collection, because the brand already is as such. But it is the juxtaposition of the more contemporary influences, namely the preppy aesthetics, that makes everything work, just like how Jonathan Anderson melds his new take on the house’s archives.

It is a natural progression from his Summer 2026 collection, which plays on this balance between the traditional and the novel (quite literally, in some ways, as demonstrated by a particularly hungry caterpillar). In his own words, Anderson would call this collection his second chapter, and we can see why. Not only does he play with contrasts in terms of aesthetics, but he also does the same with material—pairing an ornate coat and blouson with light-wash jeans, for instance—which also seemed to be a theme from his previous collection.

Even the continents come together here, with British influences like the Donegal tweed finding a place amongst denim pieces that conjure thoughts of America. Some silhouettes are unique in their own right, such as the Delft shorts that are already an Anderson staple. Other cuts are more common, like gym shorts and traditionally-sized slacks. This variety of pieces serves to make the collection a cohesive whole, neither one overpowering the other, not jarring even when it comes to the loudest of selections.

Perhaps this is what we all need in our daily lives, the ability to be ostentatious while still remaining grounded. The Esquire man is one who could benefit from this, as a man who has arrived has little need to make further proclamations of the self. But here, he gets to be playful (the caterpillar comes to mind again) while not causing any raised eyebrows in the process. Okay, maybe the Delft shorts with flower motifs can be hard to pull off on most occasions, but how can you say no to denim tailcoats?

Anchoring the collection to the needs of the everyday man are the variety of bags that lean on the side of practical, ones that would drape surreptitiously on a shoulder, no matter what the outfit.

All in all, despite the overall carefree vibes one gets from this collection, you still get a healthy dose of romance and deliberateness. Romance because it’s hard not to think of the artist’s life when you look at the distressed- or patchwork-pants, and deliberateness because even the most basic of pieces—such as the Henley sweater—drapes over the body in just the right ways. And in the end, it is beautiful when the unseen energy is louder than what’s at face value.