Tajinder HayerThe world of menswear is not traditionally particularly groundbreaking or innovative. To many of us this is a good thing. It means that we can keep to the basics – suit, T shirt, jeans, shoes while each season, updating these basics in new ways, which in turn makes us stylish, relative and hopefully more attractive.
Way before it got so cold (in February to be precise) clever designers produced this year’s autumn winter collections which do just what we need them to – inject a sense of cool and nowness into our wardrobes. The below looks are the six key trends of the season and how to get them, regardless of how much cash you have to spare. This season the emphasis is on rock and roll and a sharp and edgy silhouette.
Graphic Prints
Inspired by the art world, Paul Smith and AMI styled geometric pattern with classic tailoring pieces. An easy way to get a cool graphic look is to work with slick and striking colour combinations in blocks and stripes. It looks particularly sharp in monochrome. A clever and sharp look.
Autumn Tones
A great way to inject some new vigor into your wardrobe is to invest in some of the seasons key colours. This season, the focus is on autumnal shades like deep green, red and orange. At Topman Design the orange was bright and vivid, while Gucci and Burberry showed more subdued tones.
Updated Classics
Tailored pieces are the staples of a rakish gent’s wardrobe. This season, a whole host of designers reworked classic pieces (the trouser, the blazer, the overcoat) and offered a new take on these pieces, from floral print at Dolce & Gabbana, to the gorgeous flashes of leopard print at Burberry.
Lux Sportswear
Menswear is becoming increasingly obsessed with luxuries, in accessories and apparel. Alexander Wang showed us luxury joggers and Margiela used technical finishes on outerwear to add a lux feel to their sporty aesthetic. Many high street retailers have great alternatives to help you get this look, which is almost tech in its feel.
Statement Knits
The humble sweatshirt has had a fashion renaissance of late, reimagined as a statement piece. Kenzo have been doing this look for several seasons now, but Givenchy and Christopher Kane both showcased incredibly striking knitwear. Again, this is a look that is quite easy to obtain if you want to save as opposed to splurge.
Street Smart
If there is one item that has defined this season’s look, it has to be the monochrome baseball jacket at Saint Laurent. Modern twists on street wear have become a familiar pattern at the menswear shows and this time around, street style has gone smart.
Conclusion
Hopefully the above non exhaustive list will have proven just how easy it is to get fantastic and current catwalk style, without having to always pay for the real thing. The high street has got better and better at responding to trends super quickly and we are all the luckier for it. Enjoy experimenting with the trends, and trying to incorporate them into your already super stylish wardrobes.