5 Menswear Trends You Need To Know
As Men’s Fashion Week draws to a timely end, we take a look back at the catwalks of London, Milan and Paris to determine what are set to be some of this year’s biggest trends when the cold weather returns later this year.
As expected, the shows offered up a plethora of unique designs. From the increasingly iconic retro statement dressing by Alessandro Michele at Gucci, to the reinvention of classic designs from enticing shearling jackets, to over-sized, never-ending scarves and all engulfing shawls by Giorgio Armani.
Bursts of copper served as a refreshing break from a largely muted colour palette, although nobody can deny the allure of militaristic, earthy tones - especially in the midst of a bleak winter. A combination of outdoorsy attire, rugged shearling, dense duffle coats and double breasted boxy tailoring was contrasted with Seventies inspired pieces with subtle embellishment and blasts of colour to combat a predominantly grey and navy ensemble.
Dolce & Gabbana's unique exploration of the past presented all of the above with a Spaghetti Western twist. Inspiration was drawn from the American Gold Rush-era as a motif of pistols, rodeos and horse shoes emerged against swathes of wool coats and leather biker jackets.
So, at the threat of overwhelming you with so many fashion facts, we have done a considerable amount of catwalk scanning and have compiled a relatively short 5 part list of key menswear trends that you might just want to look out for Autumn/Winter 2016/17. Yes, we know it's a far way off - but there's no harm in being prepared.
Roll Neck
A favourite among off-duty catwalk models and frequently caught on the street style pics from London, Milan and Paris - the roll neck is still dominating the style stakes. The 1950s inspired preppy 'tight turtle-neck' is frequently found under a tailored blazer, but that isn't the only variety you can deck yourself out in. Next season sees the introduction of a larger funnel neck; essentially, bigger and baggier. The roll neck's notoriety across the fashion board is a testament to just how easy this piece of knitwear is to keep warm and stay stylish. Just remember to roll it down over itself, okay?
Chunky Footwear
New season, new footwear. From loafers to lace-ups, statement footwear is in regardless of the occasion. Although you might not want to team your new kicks with statement red knit socks as seen at Gucci, you still might want to consider footwear chunky footwear with a bit of a twist. Pearls and studs aren't a necessity, and the look can just as easily be functional as well as fashionable. Whether you opt for a heavy trainer, or a formal shoes with thicker soles and detail, make sure your shoes are noticeable.
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| Nike Roshe Flyknit Trainers |
Brioni Leather Derby Shoes |
Envelope Shoulder Bag |
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Glam-Rock
Okay, so you've heard of the legend that is David Bowie, and you know that his untimely death coincided with fashion week. Well, considering his eclectic dress sense was incredibly hard to ignore, many designers paid homage to the man himself with a hint of glam-rock. That isn't to say that flashes of colour and beaded/studded detailing werent already on the agenda, but some designers definitely upped the ante. Whilst it's understandable if you'd rather not replicate that Ziggy Stardust style, it wouldn't be a bad idea to give your wardrobe a few pieces with glam-rock pieces. Flashes of blue, orange, red and the like broke up predominantly earthly colour palates, whilst studs gave footwear and jackets a noticeable twist - think Gucci or Philipp Plein for a bit of style direction.
Silk & Shine
Sleek, shiny, glossy - whatever you want to call it, designers have been giving their garments a reflective finish. From the shirts, bombers and parkas by AMI to Versace's head-to-toe silver suit (not for the faint-hearted) - a bit of shine has been everywhere. You might find that either silk shirts or high shine trousers are the easiest way to incorporate the trend, whilst nylon bombers are also pretty reserved if you're not yet quite ready to tackle Kanye West-esque leather trousers or a full on silver space-suit. Silk was a strong favourite at Valentino and was often teamed with a black turtleneck slipped underneath, showing that borrowing motifs from womenswear and bleding them with traditional menswear might just be the next big thing - watch this space.
Military Inspiration
From uniform detailing to camo prints, menswear was given a military edge at Men's Fashion Week. If any colour typified the collections at LCM in particular, it was military green. From bombers, to quilted coats, to gilets - all garments fell into line. It should come as no great surprise that military style is on trend yet again for AW 16/17, from restyled shearling aviator jackets, to ankle grazing coats, to classic bombers - military has gone beyond a mere fashion fad and is becoming a legitimate source of design inspiration. Exaggerated embroidery and embellishment weren't the only militaristic features; multiple pockets also adorned jackets giving outwear that extra uniformed edge - especially effective when used on camo-effect ensembles. Opt for vintage military looks to get a stylish yet hard-wearing piece that will last. For a foolproof take on the trend, look to British brand, Belstaff.
