As the British fashion industry mourned the political decision of a lifetime, the menswear designers in Paris had their sights set on hedonistic voyages (perhaps giving us all options on where to set up camp next). Louis Vuitton’s Kim Jones went on a punk safari while Issey Miyake’s Yusuke Takahashi set his sights on India – appropriately, showgoers baked in a rare day of Parisian heat. Thom Browne gave us The Birds meets Jaws meets The Beach Boys, while in an equally colourful collection, Paul Smith brought back the spirit of spilling out of London’s swinging 60s night clubs.

If you needed cheering up, Rick Owens splashed sunny yellows through his collection or you could take a trip to Kris Van Assche’s funfair at Dior Homme. From funfair to fanfare, Demna Gvasalia’s first menswear show for Balenciaga – and first menswear show, whatsoever – brought playful proportions and a sense that men in the know will now be running out to stuff their suit’s shoulders until they resemble American football players.

With the difficult task of selecting her favourites from an overall strong week, Caroline Issa breaks downs the four shows that truly caught her eye.

Officine Générale

These are clothes you want to see your boyfriend wear. Pierre Mahéo has a way with fabric that makes the seemingly ordinary (a cotton short or a pique knit tee) into something desirable. An injection of yellow into his subtle colour range gave a bright, summery feel to an always classic but elegant collection.

Best for: Pretending you have your life together

Paul Smith

Man, we needed Paul Smith's message of peace, love and happiness in rainbow bright hues and stripes (mostly on collars and socks) and the rainbow runway Pride – weekend appropriate – after the fashion Frow's horror of Brexit results and what it means for our industry in Britain. Smith's collection of always beautifully cut suits and jackets made us want to spend money again (and steal from all the guys' wardrobes)!

Best for: Wearing your feelings loud and proud

Sacai

Ah, the genius that is Chitose Abe – to take seersucker and make it into a crinkled, loose trench and Mexican-inspired woven fabrics for those 80s Greenpeace ponchos all loose fringed at the ends – true remix Sacai style that Abe has perfected to a T. Some more classic blazers with a hint of bright pink or blue threaded embroidery on the collar shows Sacai has commercial strength without losing its tribal feeling. A sprinkling of womenswear from the resort collection made it all the more exciting.

Best for: Hiking Machu Picchu (while praying for a dry cleaner)

Études

From the minds of three graphic designers comes a menswear collection that had many guys on the front row frothing – simple pieces (again, that wearability issue!) with the most beautiful of artisanal floral embroideries were made even more special given the venue was the pharmacy university's private gardens.

Best for: Fitting in with the art school crowd