Over the past few seasons, our team has observed an increase in more fashion-forward designs for boys. To learn more about the current boy’s fashion trends and how this sector of the market is evolving, we asked Nicole, the Director of Kidswear at Future Snoops, some questions. As both an expert and a boy-mom herself, Nicole offered thoughtful insights into the latest boy’s fashion trends.

Let’s dive into our interview with her, and don’t miss a selection of some of our current favorite boy’s looks from brands you’ll meet this winter at Playtime Paris and Playtime New York at the end!

Nicole Yee, Director of Kidswear at Future Snoops

Hi Nicole! Can you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about Future Snoops?

Of course! Hi, I’m Nicole Yee, Director of Kidswear at Future Snoops. Future Snoops is a futures agency for creators who take ideas from first spark to breakthrough concepts and commercial success. With expert insight, proprietary AI tools, and bespoke advisory services, we help brands uncover possibilities, know why they matter, and carve a path as original as they dare to be.

How has boy’s fashion evolved over the past five years?

I think overall, you see boy brands decreasing their size offerings as more and more boys gravitate at a younger age to brands they see older kids wearing. I see in the baby/toddler/younger boy market a lot more experimentation with color, prints, and silhouettes. Once you get up to a boys’ size 7/8, I feel like most of the brands shift to an activewear aesthetic or offer just basics. More often than not, you simply see brands not offering bigger boy sizes. However, I think this is a big miss. We’re seeing a lot of tween and teen boys taking a huge interest in fashion and this will definitely impact younger Gen Alphas.

What are some of the key boy’s fashion trends you’re seeing right now?

I’m really excited to see sports elements being worked into everyday boys’ apparel. Jersey fleece baseball shirts, soccer-inspired jerseys, basketball shorts etc. are being paired with more classic items like polos, three-quarter zip ups, and baggy cords. It’s this new styling that mixes sport with prep with a touch of nostalgia that feels not only fresh, but extremely wearable. The George Davies x Aime Leon Dore collaboration is a perfect example.

As there’s been a shift towards gender-neutrality, how should retailers be marketing their kid’s section?

I think at retail, kid’s clothes should be merchandised in the kid’s section and leave it at that. Kids will gravitate towards what appeals to them whether it is a favorite color, character, or material. I also love seeing brands present their classifications by interest. For example, in the toy realm it’s animals, science, pretend play etc. instead of girl toys vs boy toys.

How do you predict boy’s fashion will continue to evolve?

Gen Alpha is a very peer-led group so they will continue to look to peers for recommendations. This is also combined with their influence in making purchases at home. They have a huge influence in what is being purchased, so brands who want to capture this market need to stay in tune with what kids want more so than their parents.

We also see teen boys right now craving more unique fashion. I definitely think this will impact what younger boys look for in apparel. While they will still be very brand conscious, they will also seek out brands that let them express their individuality, hence a growth in vintage, second-hand shopping and brands that allow for personalization.

As a boy mom yourself, what do you shop for? Is there anything you’d like to see more of from the boy’s fashion sector?

I’m always on the look out for a clever detail or tweak that brings an item from the masses to the must have. It could be as simple as a pop color in a hood, a clever twist on a classic pattern, or a tiny embroidered applique. Also, it needs to be comfortable and good quality. Kids’ days are full, so their clothes need to transition from activity to activity, as well as withstand wear and tear.

I’d love to see more color! Specifically, inventive color combinations. It is amazing how a fresh color combo can really make any item feel fresh. I think it’s a misconception that boys care less about clothes than girls and only basic items sell well for boys. There is so much opportunity in the boys’ realm. Just look at the growth in beauty products aimed specifically for boys (JB Skrub), it demonstrates that they care about how they look, and this will continue on as Gen Alpha boys get older.

Thank you to Nicole for sharing these insights into boy’s fashion trends with us! As a sector in the kid’s industry with lots of room to grow, brands can learn a lot from her.

Nicole’s colleague, Jane, will be giving a presentation on the Autumn-Winter 2026-27 trends at Playtime Paris on Monday, January 26 at 10:30am in the trend space. She’ll then be taking appointments for one-on-one meetings, so book your session with her in Paris! Nicole herself will be at Playtime New York this February for one-on-ones as well, so save a spot with her here to ask about upcoming trends or market strategies on February 9.

Take a look at more of the boy’s products we love from brands you’ll meet at the winter shows!

Header image from Studio Koter