Fall
As Fashion Week in the city of cities wrapped up, we have spent sometime at DAMstyle collecting our thoughts on what our readers can essentially take away from the collections that hit the runway. Consequently, we have a short list of the most recurrent themes designers were embracing. This should help influence the way you put your clothes together next season and perhaps even call attention to what you may need to add to your wardrobe.
Theme 1: Neon
This is hardly ground breaking for the Spring. Nonetheless, neon was tastefully employed in suiting; think particularly in trousers or vests. Bold pops of color were also consistently incorporated in shirts and even the soles of shoes. Most notably Michael Bastian and Marc Jacobs mastered the art of neon. The successful instances were ones that relied mostly on neutral solids and were then punctuated in neon sparingly. Think; white trouser, classic pink dress shirt and a turquoise blazer.
Theme 2: Bleached White
White denim was the thing to have this past summer, and its relevance is continuing into the chillier months. Next spring, white will be resurfacing but in suiting. It will look abrasively clinical but very sharp. Lacoste and Tommy Hilfiger brought out this point of view, harshly but still very convincingly. This is an opportunity to consider an alternative to the classic black suit.
Theme 3: Shorts
The use of shorts on the runway this time around wasn’t about showing more skin and creating clothes that are more functioning for warmer months. The formula here was totally replacing jeans, khakis and cords with shorts that are bold and filled with patterns. It is a stretch to consider this as a staple. Nonetheless, it is a serious opportunity to consider an area that one could jazz up in their wardrobe. The trick unsurprisingly, is to find the right pattern for your body and skin tone. This can add to a really interesting spring weekend look. Billy Reid and Richard Chai brought out the most successful results.
Theme 4: Varsity Jackets
We are totally convinced that the varsity jacket is here to stay. It made a demure debut on runways last year and today it has rolled out into the mass market. For Spring 2012, the essence remains but the varsity jacket is rendered more impeccable, erring on tailoring that is reminiscent of suiting. Patrick Ervell and Timo Weiland translated this point of view fluently.
It is September, well past Labor Day and the season is officially changing! The fashionably intelligent gentleman knows that trends come and go but there are always those classic pieces that ring most true for each season. Below, are five pieces that we believe should be more curated for the fall as opposed to simply being purchased. Just think before you purchase these items. For they are the backbone of any gentleman’s fall wardrobe and warrant the investment.
ONE: The Trench
This is sort of like a friend that you’ll always have around. He never lets you down, especially when those spring showers come around. But he also gives you a lot of mileage as the fall season begins and paves way for a winter filled with harsh elements. Best of all, he doesn’t cramp your style when you’re wearing a suit. As a tip, invest in a classic style like in tan or black. Subtle patterns are fine; just don’t make your only trench a bright red one.
TWO: The Chambray Shirt
This piece started as a trend but the heavily twilled cotton is here to stay. A staple in retailers like J.Crew and Gant, it is the perfect shirt for looking professional and also staying warm and stylish all at the same time. In blue, Chambray has never looked better. It is the perfect complement to browns, tobaccos, camel and virtually any other color you fancy.
THREE: The Tweed Jacket
Other than the obvious warming function of this piece, the tweed jacket brings unrivaled fashion flexibility to your outfits during the fall season. Channel upscale easily with a crisp shirt and trousers. Simultaneously, express casual cool with denim and even a t-shirt.
FOUR: Cashmere Cardigan
Yes it’s luxurious and elegant and no, it’s not only for women. Cashmere, especially in a staple like a cardigan, catapults the garment’s practicality to the realms of the plush. Indeed, this one is for the fashionably intelligent. A creative alternative to blazer, it brings with it a sense that is untroubled, perfectly suitable for the office or an evening out on the town.
FIVE: Wingtips
Wingtips are the perfect piece of fall footwear. The low-heeled shoe is uniquely characterized by robust leather and decorative perforations. This brings forth a sense of functionalism and elegance. Much like the tweed jacket, wingtips double up as dressy and casual at the same time.
Just when you thought you were caught up with Ralph Lauren’s various collections and labels, the American style icon unleashes a new line to mark this fall season. Denim & Supply embraces all things American, sans the prep of our beloved country’s eastern coast. It is a much younger, ragged collection that pays more tribute to industrial Brooklyn than say trendy Manhattan.
Steeped in New York nonetheless, the well-worn collection is vintage rendered but alternative rock inspired. While this sort of direction is nothing new, European retailer Pull and Bear has been interpreting and reinterpreting this style for a decade now, Denim & Supply is rendered brilliantly.
Nautical fleece pullovers are given the vintage treatment, along with ragged sweaters and heritage denim jackets that translate that sun-drenched, washed look from the summer into cooler dispositions.
The Warehouse is the collection’s digital destination, featuring a magazine, artist profiles and a journal presenting the essence of the collection in contexts other than apparel and accessories.
We have talked a little about this iconic piece of outerwear and how it has managed to redefine its orientation in the contexts of the sartorial. Sometimes referred to as a letterman jacket, the varsity jacket is steeped with a rite of American passage that is attributed to a student who has earned their letters in the fields of sport, performing arts or academics.
Michael Bastian’s varsity jacket for Gant which debuted not too long ago, was an elegant repositioning of a piece that has managed to emancipate itself from the realms of the excessively casual and sloppy. The scorched orange color of that Bastian jacket, complemented with cream leathered sleeves was presented splendidly. Accordingly, in a post-skinny denim era, everything is cut a little slimmer and with more than a few nods made to the 1980′s, the revival of the varsity jacket seems completely logical.
It is yet to be determined whether this piece will become a staple of American fashion, positioned in the ranks of aesthetics like American prep. Nonetheless, Ralph Lauren, the king of prep has employed the varsity jacket in recent collections. This fall, retailers worldwide are banking on a more aggressive revival. H&M and Topman are offering varsity jackets that both run under $100.
While the fall season lends itself to a more polished sensibility, today’s varsity jacket is appropriate for an evening out on the town or a weekend hang out. Fitted denim and boots make for a great pairing, but relaxed dark washed jeans can work just as well. Think about the jacket, with or without letters and how it can layer (not only because it will keep you warm), as it unleashes an interesting play of depth and color.
While forecasting the next fall and winter season can be a dreaded experience considering the winter we have had, there is much to be excited about with regard to Fall Fashion for 2011. While we are all antsy to break out those shorts, espadrilles and linens, this is an ample opportunity to plan a wardrobe strategy for the season ahead. A myriad of colors, textures and accessories debuted the runways for Fall 2011. Here is list of what is most likely to be relevant and popular:
1) Varsity Jackets: Rag and Bone and Givenchy, amongst others exhibited a structured take on this sartorial souvenir.
2) Mohair Sweaters: Gant and Gucci showcased some interesting takes on a rather persnickety item and did this successfully.
3) Orange: In accents or significant real estate such as sweaters or pants. This hue is synonymous with the fall and will make splashes across the high-end and affordable retail board.
4) Coats: With toggle buttons and or in camel. Extending beyond the cardigan, these characteristics could dominate outerwear as we know it.
5) Snoods, oversized scarves and fingerless knitted gloves: Think texture, warmth and the unorthodox pairing of such accessories with formal wear such as a blazer. Simon Spurr presented this juxtaposition with impeccability.
The weather is getting colder. The days are getting shorter. And you’re starting to think “it’s time for fall clothes!” As you make the transition this season, what do you need to keep in mind? What’s hot? How do you stay comfortable, yet professional? In this episode David reviews what YOU need to know about this year’s fall fashion.
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While accessories are associated with luxury, they are an important functional and fashionable component of a man’s wardrobe. Stimulating the unexciting, great accessories revive the dozy of wardrobe basics.
The perfect fall accessory for every man out and about this fall is a great pair of gloves. A slick pair of cashmere lined leather gloves, like these from Coach, keeps your hands warm and graceful, allowing you to do things easily when wearing them. Additionally, they perfectly complement all sorts of styles.
Scarves are quintessentially fall and put simply men should start perceiving them the way they do with ties; only scarves are so much more versatile and acquiescent. This striped wool scarf from Armani Exchange has a strong ratio of texture and color. Wrapped suitably it can play dressy nights or casual days, perfectly.
Tie bars are those finicky little things that slide over your tie holding it in place and giving your torso a touch of bling. The truth is, tie bars are far from finicky and bring about an amazing polished look. General rules of thumb are to never wear it too high up, your upper mid section is optimum, and not have it cover the whole width of your tie. The result? A subtler kind of chic, sans used car salesman.
Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean you won’t need a cool looking pair of shades to warm your cool. For most men, Aviators are classic and foolproof. Find a pair that suits you and sport them to work or weekend errand running.
Finally, graduate from those flimsy, useless, and ungracious umbrellas and invest in a good quality brolly that meets the caliber of these great fall accessories.
