Men’s fashion is anything but boring this season. The trend in general is a return to classics and the basic staples of a working wardrobe. A few surprising additions will enable the fashion forward fellow to add a signature style to his look.
Men’s Brooches
An unexpected trend in men’s fashions for 2009 is lapel brooches. While decorative pins have adorned women’s clothes throughout history, the custom of men wearing brooches fell out of favor. Its return to the fashion scene has been well accepted.
Jewelry has commonly been a symbol for status. In Anglo-Saxon England, men used brooches to fasten their cloaks. The accepted method was to use the brooch on the right shoulder to secure the garment. A cloak with the brooch on the left shoulder signaled rebellion against a leader. There was a time when no proper gentleman would consider himself completely attired without his lapel pin.
One of the most common brooch shapes is penannular (having nearly the form of a ring, according to www.thefreedictionary.com). This style was popular in history with groups like the Celts and Anglo-Saxons. Other shapes you will find are circular, disc and equal armed. Today’s fashion forward gentleman will find high quality examples of this jewelry by designers like Yoox, or Gucci. An enterprising shopper might find an eclectic piece at an estate sale, or an antique shop.
In Sweden, some fashionable youths are using the lapel pin to create a more fitted waist look to suits. To copy this style, you will need a brooch that looks like a giant safety pin. Pull the suit fabric together in front at the waist and secure with the pin.
What kind of man would wear a brooch? A self-confident man, someone who does not need or seek approval. A brooch-wearing man likes to be different. He does not conform. You will find him leading the pack, not following!
Scarves
Fabrics and colors that invoke images of the Far East are strong this year, with designs that reflect Indian (as in India) looks. Used for layering, or draped around the shoulders in a look that is very avant-garde, a scarf can be edgy and hip, or elegant and haute couture. Style does not define the man, the man defines his style.
Let your fingers to the shopping and search online for scarves from high fashion designers like Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, and Yohji Yamamoto. Some top picks would be; Dior’s use of fuchsia and cobalt in an futuristic insect print, Dolce & Gabbana’s plaids and ginghams, and Yohji Yamamoto’s luxurious check stoles in charcoal and light gray. These are just the tip of the iceberg, but will be enough to tantalize your fashion taste and have you searching for more.
Colors for 2009
As spring and summer arrive, clothing colors are becoming lighter and brighter. You will still need your all purpose navy blue suit, but think about adding a fashion color like putty or gray. The hot trend is to accent these suits with punches of color such as peach and apricot. While the color spectrum for men’s clothing has traditionally been navy, gray, and black, New York Fashion Week was awash with colors like purple, turquoise, lilac, pink, and oriental orange.
Will men invest in such non-traditional garments in this tight economy? The fashion designers believe that they will, and they have been setting the standards for clothing sales for hundreds of years. Ermenegildo Zegna is showing whites with touches of pink, in a look that only he could create. Calvin Klein and Jill Sanders are also designing in these vivid shades. It will be interesting to see what men will do with the fashion options presented in 2009.
Casual Dressing
Bright polos layered under plaid shirts for the preppy look go well with slim leg and skinny jeans, or pair them with a neutral suit for a more bespoke look. Deep V-neck tops were shown by several fashion designers, but public opinion on this garment has been mixed. While some feel that it is a style that can only be carried off by the young and buff, other fashion gurus think that it could be a very trendy look done in layers and in the right fabrics and colors. Check out Salvatore Ferragano’s Degrade sweater in rose for an example of how classy yet sexy this style can be.
Men’s Suiting Trends
In men’s suiting, there is a move back to the classic English, military cut. With broad shoulders and a slim waist, this V style is flattering to most men’s silhouettes. This is a nice trend, as details such as lapels, and trouser details date clothing. A timeless style like this will be a nice investment for the budget-conscious gentleman.
Three piece suits are seeing a revival of interest this season. One style to watch, the “Kent Cut”, with a longer lapel, uses perspective and illusion to create a taller, slimmer look.
Both notched and peaked lapels are still very popular. The peaked lapel will add a slimming effect to any outfit. Choose a suit with two side vents this season, and remember that the buttons on a jacket are a good way to create the illusion of height.
Time-tested patterns being shown are; hounds tooth, herringbone, Prince of Wales plaids, pinstripes, and rope-stripes. The smaller the pattern or stripe, the slimmer the overall effect of the garment.
Whatever style you choose, remember to invest in the best quality you can afford for your suiting needs. Choose a high quality wool for an all season suit. Sartorial details to look for would be collars and lapels. Roll them and see if they fall back into place. Look to see how the sleeves have been set into the garment. Make sure they do not bind or wrinkle when you try on the coat. If the fabric looks or feels cheap, don’t buy it. A poorly constructed suit will look limp and unkempt after the first few cleanings. It is better to have one good suit, than five inferior ones.
