Posts filed under 'Trendscape'
Mens fashion trends for Summer 2009 range from the tailored to the rugged to the preppy. Think white jeans, pocketed parkas, classic slim fit v-neck sweaters, moccasins, sharp blazers, and classic Ray Ban Clubmaster Sunglasses. But what are our favorite items that actually deserve a place in your closet? Omiru’s guide to summer 2009 mens fashion trends cuts to the chase to deliver the five items you’ll be reaching for over and over this summer.
Baseball Jacket
Baracuta G10 Slimfit Sport Harrington Jacket | $130 (approx) at Baracuta
Is there anything more reminiscent of Americana than the classic baseball jacket? Brings us back to the good old days - when the sport was more about the players and less about performance drugs. For those of you who want to evoke that Americana spirit, we have a classic baseball jacket (though ironically made by a British company) that’s even better than the original. We’re digging the slim cut on Baracuta’s Harrington jacket–it puts the style back into the sport.
Lightweight Shawl Collar Sweater
Linen Cotton Caine Shawl Cardigan | $88 at J Crew
You loved shawl collar sweaters last Winter in chunky knits. Now, continue your love affair with the shawl collar with a lightweight cotton version of the sweater that’s destined to become a classic. Perfect for those balmy summer nights—or days in heavily air conditioned rooms. BTW–these sweaters have to be our favorite 2009 mens fashion trend.
Horizontal Stripes
Lightweight Cotton Wool Admiral Stripe Crewneck | $62 at J Crew
We called Horizontal Stripes as a key menswear trend way back when, in April 2008. But it’s just as relevant now as it was then. Not to mention that The Upgrader over at men.style.com featured these stylish stripes last month in a horizontal stripe trend report piece (btw, we love the tongue-in-cheek “cost per stripe†calculation on each item). The key takeaway? Wear these horizontal stripes—on t-shirts, sweaters, and even hoodies.
Madras Plaid Shorts
Olive Madras Club Short | $59.50 at J Crew
Crisp and light, Madras plaid is named after its city of origin, a warm city in Southern India. True to its roots, Madras plaid is carefree, youthful, and colorful. Add in a dose of preppy—and they’re the perfect fabric for a pair of summer shorts. Get your plaid on with a versatile green-and-blue pattern from J Crew. Fun fact about Madras plaid? In the US, Madras plaid is a popular summer choice for both men and women. But back in India, it’s worn almost exclusively by men.
Aviator Sunglasses
Selima Optique for J Crew Aviator Sunglasses | $198 at J Crew
Aviators have been popular since the 1960s, but they’re back with a Top Gun like rage this summer. The teardrop shape of these sunglasses is flattering on a variety of face shapes. Plus, their oversized style makes them a celebrity favorite. Grab a pair of designer aviators for a price that’s somewhat less than designer (though still not cheap, we know). It’s worth it though – Selima Optique is known for their luxury sunglasses.
Tell us, what Summer 2009 mens fashion trends will you be wearing? And which trends will you be steering clear of? Share your style with us in the comments!
June 10th, 2009
Cozy up in a thick knit sweater - the perfect antidote to the cool weater outside. But instead of reaching for a plain, solid-colored sweater, mix things up a bit by investing in a good quality Fair Isle sweater. The distinctive multicolored knitted patterns on the modern Fair Isle sweater are a wonderful foil to your everyday basics. Presenting our five favorite Fair Isle inspired sweaters:
Our $ Picks:
O’Hanlon Mills Reverse Hooded Zip-Up | $88 at Urban Outfitters
AE Holiday Cardigan | $99.50 at American Eagle
Our $$ Pick:
Shelter Island Cardigan | $180 at Hollister
Our $$$ Picks:
Haystack Mountain Cardigan | $350 at Abercrombie
3.1 Philip Lim Wrap Neck Collar Sweater | $438 (sale) at Oak
November 19th, 2008
Notched collars on jackets are an evergreen style that never fades, but shawl collars are having their moment in the spotlight. Shawl collars, which combine the lapel and the collar into one, are making their way from suits and blazers to cool weather sweaters. Here’s our four favorite shawl collar sweaters:
Our $ Pick:
Cockpit Shawl Pullover Sweater | $89 at Urban Outfitters
Let your collared shirt peek out from under this open shawl collared sweater.
Our $$ Picks:
Marled Shawl Wool Cardigan | $158 at J Crew
The marled texture is what makes this shawl collared cardigan truly special.
Orthodox Wolfe Hooded Sweater | $184 at 80s Purple
The shawl collar on this hooded sweater is barely detectable, but the buckle detailing adds an extra dimension of style.
Our $$$ Pick:
Hyden Yoo Soho Cardigan | $222 at Oak
Classic, comfy, and chic. What more can you ask for in a cardigan?
November 12th, 2008
We asked: Would you wear a Vest?
You said: 60% of you say Yes to Vests.
Style tip? For men, vests are a great way to gain statesman-like style points. For women, vests are one of our favorite pieces for the menswear-as-womenswear trend. Our favorite way to wear the vest? Wear it with a feminine piece, like a ruffled skirt.
Next question: Big shoulders were on display on the runway, along with other menswear-as-womenswear favorites (including the vest). But what do you think? Tell us, would you wear tops or jackets with big shoulders? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Anabelle Vest | $17.80 at Forever 21.
July 7th, 2008
We asked: Would you wear Horizontal Stripes?
You said: Yes to Horizontal Stripes, with 75% of the vote.
Style tip? Horizontal Stripes get a bad reputation for figure flattery, since they can make you look wider than you actually are. But it’s all in how you wear your stripes. Small, narrow stripes are pretty easy to wear by themselves. And you can counteract the widening effect of wide horizontal stripes by wearing them in moderation–such as under a jacket. Plus, you can take advantage of the widening effect by wearing them on a part of your body that you’d like to widen. If you have narrow shoulders, for instance, you can wear horizontal stripes at the shoulderline to visually balance them out.
Next question: When it comes to pants, high waisted silhouettes are growing in popularity. But what do you think? Tell us, would you wear High Waisted Pants? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Striped Tie Tank | $34.50 at Gap.
May 5th, 2008
High end designer horizontal stripes. Clockwise from top: Michael Bastian Striped Sweater | $995 at Saks Fifth Avenue, Michael Kors Seersucker Shorts | $195 at Saks Fifth Avenue, Junya Watanabe Saint James Peacoat | $1,765 at Saks Fifth Avenue.Horizontal stripe patterns have emerged as a fresh-looking casual trend for both men and women this Spring. From Burberry to John Varvatos, from American Apparel to Built by Wendy, this trend has manifested itself everywhere from high end fashion houses (hello Michael Bastian and Junya Watanabe) to accessible, affordable chain stores. Here are a few pieces that do the horizontal stripe pattern well:
Our $$$ Picks:
Adam Kimmel Black and White Sweatshirt | $275 at JakeAs always, an Adam Kimmel piece with a distinct American feel.
Bureau Long Sleeve Henley | $158 at Oak
Slim Fit Striped Polo | $125 at Burberry
I especially like it in white and washed gray, available at Bloomingdales.
Chimala Border Print Tee | $110 at Oak
Our $$ Picks:
Converse by John Varvatos Trim Crew in Metal Grey | $57 at Revolve Clothing
Be sure to also check out a cream/washed grey long sleeve piece by John Varvatos (not the same as Converse by John Varvatos). You can get it at Saks Fifth Avenue.
Mount Marshall Polo in Grey Stripe | $49.50 at Abercrombie and Fitch
Our $ Picks:
Slub Cotton Stripe Fitted Crew Tee | $39.50 at Banana Republic
Men’s Sailor Tee | $36 (sale) at Built by Wendy
I think serves better as a layering piece.
Poly Cotton Stripe Crew Neck | $22 at American Apparel
Textured Henley Striped Shirt | $11.99 (sale) at Gap
April 23rd, 2008
Light Blue and Spring Green
Light blue and spring green combine for a soothing, natural look. Simply gorgeous.
Feeling the love for this set? Here’s more information about it.
Lilac Purple and Navy Blue
Men, take note–your navy blue suit looks positively dashing with a pressed lilac shirt.
Feeling the love for this set? Here’s more information about it.
Bright Yellow and Orange
Warm up an outfit with this bright color combination. We love it paired with navy blue–or dark rinse jeans.
Feeling the love for this set? Here’s more information about it.
April 22nd, 2008
Plaid became trendy again this past fall/winter, and it looks like it’s here to stay for one more season. Here are five of the best summer plaids for men:
Engineered Garments Plaid Woven Shirt | $144 at Bloomingdales (in store only)
Engineered Garments got their name from a pattern maker who claimed that the clothes were not designed but rather engineered due to the amount of detail put into each article of clothing. Translation: these clothes are fantastically constructed. This piece was adapted from last season’s long-sleeve version of the same shirt.
How to wear it? Plaids can be “intense,†so follow a simple layering tip and wear something monochromatic over it. By physically hiding part of the shirt under, say, a black or charcoal peacoat, the shirt serves as a colorful, bold accent, and it isn’t overwhelming.
A.P.C. “Plaid Shirt†and “Plaid Belt†| $140, $100 at A.P.C.
A.P.C. offers a shirt and belt with the same plaid pattern on it. While I like them individually, I don’t like them worn together, even though the model does it. It looks too calculated when you have an outfit that has parts that match exactly. To complete the outfit, I would recommend wearing brown pants like these Mason’s chinos because it picks up the peach in the plaid shirt. The plaid shirt and the chinos combine for a great casual summer look. Note that A.P.C. runs a tad small, but this is a summer shirt, so the fit is more classic (read: looser). As a point of reference, I wear a 40†jacket and I buy a large in A.P.C.
Mike and Chris Hyperion Gingham Shirt | $121 (sale) at Tobi
Part of the allure of plaid is its boldness, right? Mike and Chris prove that you can do plaid in a subtle – but not too subtle – way. This piece features a large gingham pattern in faded grey and white. Style tip? This white/washed grey is a growing trend, especially featured as a horizontally striped pattern, for both men and women.
Gant has been pushing strong in its comeback and is really rising in the ranks. What I love about this tie is that the pattern and width makes it versatile enough to travel from the office to a night out in New York.
YMC Gingham Plimsoles | $89 from OakNYC
That’s right: the plaid trend has even hit shoes. These shoes, by You Must Create, or YMC, aren’t for everyone. But then again, plaid isn’t either.
Want more plaid inspiration? We’re loving these men’s and women’s plaid outfits from the Sartorialist.
April 9th, 2008
We asked: Would you wear Skinny Jeans?
You said: Yes to Skinny Jeans, with 62% of the vote.
Style tip? Dark wash jeans are going to be the most flattering, as they visually slim the leg. For a fresh look, pair a voluminous top (jacket or shirt) over your skinny jeans for a big-over-small look.
Next question: Trenchcoats are a classic that never really go out of style. The twist this season? Bright colors. Would you wear a brightly colored trench? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Earnest Sewn Cigarette Leg Harlan Jeans | $185 at 80s Purple.
March 31st, 2008
Spring is around the corner, so welcome it in style with these seven investment-worthy wardrobe upgrades.
The Tom Ford Inspired Shirt
Tom Ford Suit and Shirt, photo courtesy of Men.Style.com.
It’s an understatement to say that Tom Ford does everything bold. (Have you seen his ads? And the ones in US magazines are the “toned down†ones; check out the UK GQ for the real deal) So it shouldn’t be a big surprise that his spring collection is particularly eye-catching. Unfortunately, not all of us can a) afford Mr. Ford’s clothing or b) pull it off. We love the shirt in this suit set. Wear it under a solid colored blazer, such as charcoal, grey—or white, if you have that certain je ne sais quoi. Two more affordable options: the Secret Wash Point Collar Shirt in Large Gingham ($64.50 at J Crew), and a shirt with the same pattern (albeit of a lower quality) for a little less than $100 at Club Monaco (not available online).
The Slim Fit Polo Shirt
Michael Kors Striped Polo | $175 at Neiman Marcus
Polos are a staple of any gentleman’s casually cool spring summer wardrobe. Some designers to watch: Ralph Lauren’s spring line always resonates with color, and their rugby pieces have been recently increasing in popularity. Lacoste is celebrating its 75th anniversary by putting an oversized alligator on their classic polo shirts. Burberry has done two things we’ve loved over the last couple of seasons: (1) they came out with a slim-fit line of shirts, and (2) they’ve toned down the pretentiousness factor (i.e. they’ve gotten rid of that signature Burberry check on the front button placket on some shirts).
Bloomingdales sells a great rugby-striped, slim-fit, ultra-soft cotton polo by Burberry, which unfortunately isn’t available online. If you find it in store, check it out in the white/gray colorway. But similar to this Burberry shirt is the Michael Kors shirt pictured above.
The Perfect Chino Pant
Mason’s Chinos, photo courtesy of Men.Style.com.
As it gets hotter, jeans become a little too heavy to wear. Instead, try these chinos from Mason’s. They’re slim, rich in color and are sans pleats and cuffs. Perfect for any event not held at a country club.
The Lightweight Blazer
Soft Blazer | $165 at Oak
When it gets chilly at night—or you need to dress up for that dinner date, you’ll want to wear a blazer. If you’re looking for a new one, we recommend this blazer by OakNYC, as it’s a great lightweight summer choice. Style tip? The trick to instantly casualizing anything, especially coats (even trenchcoats) or blazers, is to push up the sleeves. Note that pushing is not the same as rolling– rolling up the sleeves will wreak havoc on finer jackets.
The Low Top White Leather Sneaker
Common Projects Sneakers | $264 at Revolve Clothing
The perfect casual summer shoe is a low top white leather sneaker. I recommend a slip on by Common Projects (a style that is in fashion at the moment, but not in stores yet). The pictured sneaker, a low-top lace up, is a close substitution. Well made and comfortable, Common Projects shoes bear no logos. Instead, each shoe is individually numbered in subtle gold writing. Style tip? When wearing white sneakers and dark denim, beware: dark denim is often dark because of a powder coating. This powder will rub off onto your shoes (and shirt, for that matter).
The Trenchcoat
Modern Glen Plaid Straight Trenchcoat | $198 at Banana Republic
Springtime welcomes warmer weather—but it also brings rain. When storms hit, you’ll need to keep dry. This single breasted trench by Banana Republic will do that for you. Note the glen plaid design, which keeps things interesting.
Even though its spring, it can still get chilly at night. You’ll want to have a casual, lightweight jacket like this reasonably priced one by Banana Republic. It’s only available online in black - the picture doesn’t quite do it justice - but we suggest looking at the cream color, which you can see but not buy online.
March 12th, 2008
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