An exhilarating thing has happened. The male fashion consumer has become a great deal more educated and sophisticated when it comes to their likes and dislikes concerning what to wear. At MBFW there are guy specific presentations and shows that run the range from traditional to edgy, giving the well-dressed male many more choices when it comes down to the way he wants to dress in everyday life. Want to be a rock star? Or, how about a preppy upscale look? Let’s count down the top 10 trends in menswear for the coming year and beyond, because it’s time to let your hair down, guys, literally and figuratively!
1. Color
Bright pops of color are still prevalent for men. Check out these yellow pants that were shown at the Buckler presentation in Soho. In the blink of an eye you’ll take center stage in some of these bold canary hues.
2. Structured Minimalism
At Paola Hernandez the man in black came to mind with her hip, severe yet wearable looks. A long trench coat over slim pants and shirt was the perfect marriage of unfussiness and simplicity.
3. Details
Jackets for men have a plethora of details coming from all sources. Belted, embellished, and military looks are still quite strong as the year in fashion comes into focus. Check out the guys in the crowd at the Buckler show in Soho. Street style is always a great indicator of where men are going fashion-wise.
4. Footwear
Unusual use of materials for traditional footwear kept Nautica at the top of their style game. Deck shoes were done in many hues including red, bright blue, as well as traditional brown. My favorites were the grey flannel lace ups.
At Paola Hernandez the black spectator inspired boots had me foaming at the mouth!
5. Classic
Perry Ellis put a spin on classic with reinterpreted shawl collared sweaters, belted cable knit sweaters, and lots and lots of layering. The palette was earth friendly in shades of charcoal, pewter, shitake, brownstone, and spruce. The key here was keeping it masculine, and rugged with a stylish twist.
6. Edgy
At Custo Barcelona, the Spanish designer pulled out all the stops with texture, layering, patterns and volume. Not for the timid guy for sure, but his play on monochromatic grays and blacks was a standout in my book as shown in this picture.
7. Outerwear
Pairing a hi-tech outerwear with more traditional jackets has been a trend that doesn’t seem to be fading any time soon. At Nautica a bright blue vest with orange zipper tucked under a charcoal gray coat was shown to maximum effect with little effort.
8. Accessories
Rough-hewn leather bags, which looked like a hybrid of messenger bag and backpack, was shown at the Buckler presentation. It came off as completely masculine, and more fashion forward than a dowdy old backpack. Come on men, pack your bags!!
9. Sportswear
The return of the classic blue and white striped French fisherman’s shirt was revealed at Nautica and is poised to become the new “it” item in menswear.
10. Grooming
Men’s hairstyles come and go, but a strong trend of pompadours albeit not quite Elvis, but a little more modern. The volume on the top and tapered sides and back made the models look like dapper dandies. On the other side of the spectrum long and flowing was seen at quite a few shows. No matter what men, get a decent haircut that suits your style, and put a little effort in and maybe you could look like a model too!
There are so many trends coming down the pike for men, but the ones I have told you about were the most prevalent to my eyes. I hate the fact that many guys just give up and wear such bland, drab, oversized, and, yes, ugly clothing. Come on, Milwaukee men, I’ve just given you some food for thought when it comes to style. So chew on it!!
Later in the week I will share my top women’s trends, as well as hairstyles and makeup to bring you into the future direct from my weeklong sojourn in Manhattan at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. For more information on the designers I’ve mentioned and where to find their clothing, check out the links to their websites below.
www.andrewbuckler.com
www.nautica.com
www.perryellis.com
www.paolahernandez.com
www.custo-barcelona.com
