Spring trends for men

 

Though men’s fashion trends may not be as varied as women’s, they can often overlap. Borrowed from the boys, the oxford dress shirt is one of womenswear’s biggest trends this season. Over on the menswear side, spring fashions take a hint from the stereotypically feminine floral prints, with dark flower patterns making a statement on the runways. Designer menswear collections can be a bit over the top for the average guy who prefers the casual combination of jeans and a tee, so the key to making trends wearable is to incorporate them in small and subtle ways. A great way to experiment with the latest trends is through accessories. For example, add a floral print tie to your dress shirt or use a silk scarf as a pocket square.

Sporty and floral trends at the Dries Van Noten show.

The floral trend was in full bloom at a number of the biggest menswear shows. A new and fashionable spin on the tacky Hawaiian tropical-print shirts, Prada presented big and bold floral tops in primary shades of red, blue and yellow. At Dries Van Noten, the designer made flowers his theme, printing dark floral patterns on everything from button-ups and blazers to pants. Gucci also exaggerated the floral trend, sending models down the runway rocking full floral-printed suits. For a less dramatic but still unexpected way to wear florals, switch out your usual button-up with a floral print dress shirt. The smaller the pattern, the more subdued the print is. For the fashion forward, try a large floral pattern as a statement piece.

Floral prints also tie in nicely with another menswear trend, the dandy. An inspiration for collections such as Dries Van Noten and Haider Ackermann, the dandy romanticizes an era where men donned full suits, silk scarves and played with lively combinations of colours and patterns. A bit flashy but always well-dressed, the dandy was represented by metallic three-piece suits at Dolce & Gabbana. For a more casual approach to dandyism, try a variation of the outfit spotted at Dsquared2. A patterned bomber jacket was paired with a classic dress shirt and white pants. The trick for the dandy trend is to complete the look with chic accessories, such as thick-framed glasses, a bright bag or neck scarf.

The Dsquared2 dandy.

A hot trend this season, for both menswear and womenswear, is the athletic look. Designers all over were inspired by sports, even taking cues from cycling, surfing and skating culture. Alexander Wang showed off sporty ensembles complete with leather baseball caps and sneakers. To avoid looking like you’re just heading to the gym, try this trend by pairing a sporty piece with something dressier. It’s also a great way to tone down a more formal item in your closet. At Gucci, sporty anoraks were worn with sleek dress pants.

1950’s-inspired wide pant legs and double-breasted blazer at Michael Kors.

For those with an affinity towards a more vintage style there’s the 1950’s trend. Characterized by high waists, spread collars and pleated pants, 1950’s-inspired casual looks were presented at Bottega Veneta and Missoni. Michael Kors, inspired by the 1940’s and Cary Grant, put out a collection consisting of vintage looking high-waisted pants with full legs, double-breasted blazers and wide lapels. A more polished silhouette, the 1950’s trend is great for emphasizing the waistline.

Blue colour-blocking at Calvin Klein.

As for colour, blue is the “it” shade of the season. Calvin Klein, Giorgio Armani all displayed a wide range of blues in their collections. Inspired by the sea and sky, the creative director of Calvin Klein’s menswear line, Italo Zucchelli, showed a multitude of blue on blue ensembles. Colour-blocking with varying shades of blue were applied to sweaters, cardigans and jackets. One of the simpler trends to incorporate into the wardrobe, an easy look would be to pair blue jeans with a top of another blue shade.

Whatever your style, this season is sure to have a trend to suit your taste. Fashion trends are all about experimentation and going out of your comfort zone, so try a new look this spring!

[Article first appeared in the May 14 issue of Richmond Review.]

Menswear trends for spring

Much like womenswear, the spring trend for men’s fashion is minimalism. Clean lines and toned down shades of neutrals, navy and olive were rampant at the spring and summer shows. Simple silhouettes were spotted on the runways of Raf Simons and Prada — basic suited ensembles cut with classic tailoring.

Minimalism at Prada Men’s spring show

Another huge trend that is still going strong for both womenswear and menswear is the athletic look. Alexander Wang embraced the sporty side of minimalism by creating a spring collection of baseball caps and hoodies. Kenzo presented their most popular item of apparel — their tiger sweatshirt. Over at Louis Vuitton, outfits were inspired by water sports. Wetsuits and hooded anoraks that would fit right in on a boat were the standouts of their show. Baseball bomber jackets in bold metallic colours were showcased heavily on the runway at Burberry. But for a more daytime-friendly look, try a baseball bomber jacket in an earth-toned leather. It’ll go well with most outfits since it can be dressed up over a shirt and tie or casually worn over a graphic tee.

Add some street style with a baseball bomber jacket such as this one from G-Star.

An item that should already be in every man’s wardrobe is the versatile polo. An essential for the warmer seasons, polos can work with a variety of styles. Pair one with shorts or khakis for a preppy look or go casual chic with a blazer over a polo and trousers. Both classic and on trend because of the polo’s sport association, the key is fit. Look for one that will provide a streamlined silhouette and avoid the oversized, boxy type that was all the rage in the 90s.

Stay stylishly cool in a coloured polo by Superdry.

Fitting in with the minimalist trend is the sockless look. Appearing to go sockless in shoes from sneakers to loafers has become big over the years. Seen at the spring shows of Gucci and Louis Vuitton, to name a few, the look has been featured in a number of fashion editorials in men’s magazines. To prevent odours from sweat, try no-show loafer socks and look for ones made of antimicrobial material.

Wear two trends at once by going sockless and sporty as seen at Louis Vuitton.

More often than not, guys tend to play it safe in neutral coloured ensembles. Even the menswear runways were awash with shades of grey, navy and olive. But the warmer months are all about colour. Whether you’re clothes shopping for yourself or a boyfriend, avoid the basic black, white or grey version and go for the more vivid colours. Play around with hues of pastel or bold blocks of complementary shades. For an easy transition from a monotonous wardrobe, add a splash of colour to a neutral suit with a bright shirt.

Don’t be afraid to incorporate prints into your wardrobe as well. Florals may seem intimidating at first, so start with smaller doses such as a floral tie. Trendy prints that are easier to mix into menswear are camouflage and stripes. Dries Van Noten revived the camouflage print again for this season, while stripes were seen at Dolce & Gabbana and Jean Paul Gaultier. For something a little more unexpected, pair printed bottoms with a solid shirt. Neutral stripes usually look sharp when combined with a solid, bold colour. Try wearing a striped tee with coloured denim for a smart, casual look.

Bold stripes at Jean Paul Gaultier’s spring presentation.

Accessories are always an easy way to add some presence and update your wardrobe. Bags, ties, sunglasses, belts, hats, jewelry and watches are all great for showing off your personality and sense of style. Fashion trends are about experimentation so have fun with it whether you’re out shopping or choosing an outfit for the day. It can help set the tone for your confidence, attitude, and how others react around you.

[Article first appeared in the April 17 issue of Richmond Review.]