Fashion Forecasts: Men's Fashion Trends, Spring 2007

Weeks after Fashion Week in the Big Apple, specific trends have made their way into mainstream culture. A flurry of spring-toned colors and cuts, as well as fresh fabrics and mix-and-match clothing choices are hitting it big on the streets. The weather is still very permitting in many parts of the country. Why should anyone feel the need to wait for the upcoming season to jump into such hot clothes? Here are just some of next spring's hottest looks. They require an open-mind, bold taste, the ability to be reinspired by past season's and tastefully-selected vintage-inspired pieces. Here are the looks:


In Dries Van Noten's spring collection, Van Noten has incorporated a unique accessorizing technique, as well as many other designers for the upcoming season. This look introduces a new location for the belt, where a trenchcoat is worn and pulled tighter to the waist with the help of a belt. In this picture, the belt is the same color and fabric as the jacket itself. Many other designers have paired a regular trenchcoat with a rustic brown belt or a thin waist belt. This look is innovative and allows for accessories to shine brighter than the clothes themselves. Ken suggests: Stick with neutral colored belts. Browns, blacks and greys will allow for the trend to stand out, yet not scream for unnecessary attention.

This look needs no introduction. In the world of Haute Couture and street fashion, a blend of classic gentleman, savvy bachelor, true devotee to artistic expression and love for traditionalism, the waist coat (presented in the Hermes spring 2007 collection) is part of every generation's fashion musts. The look can compliment anything from a T-shirt to a cashmere sweater. This look is often forgotten, however, and is looked at as something only the true fashionista can wear. This is not the case. Try pairing a vest with your favorite white T-shirt and a pair of your most comfortable jeans with boots and you have the quinessential uniform for any man: fashion-conscious or not. Femals too! Ken suggests: To throw a more humble yet outstanding ensemble towards questionable critics, compliment your waist coat with a plaid fedora, exposing your hair. This will give your look a reinvented definition of the word 'Dapper' and will bring your street style to higher levels of chic.

Plunging Necklines are not only for girls anymore. A majority of Men's fashion has worked up to allow men a more lenient androgenous flair; the deep V-neck is just one of them. The deep V-neck has given the male chest more attention, giving men a sexier look. What better time than to introduce this look in the Spring, right? Here, Hedi Slimane hit all time highs by reaching all time lows for the plunging neckline. This look is best to pair with more masculine clothing choices, such as a crisp blazer, straight leg jeans, or worn-in, rustic boots. Ken suggests: Stay natural. If you have a bare chest, great! If you have chest hair, let it show! The waxed look is very gaudy Miami and will not be taken seriously by anyone, a naturally bare chest will do just fine.

The leather-shoes-with-no-socks look has been thrown around a lot. Yet, no one is even sure if works. This coming spring, this look has been presented in full force! Lanvin Spring 2007 collection offers cropped pants with leather shoes to tone down the high-structured formality of the suit and oxfords look. The look is fresh and timeless. While the suit may say you are getting down to business, the sockless shoes say 'I'm staying casual'. This is important as many day time looks steer away from overtly formal work wear and aim to achieve a more comfortable ensemble and less of an aggressive edge. Ken suggests: Leather shoes can be tough on the feet without socks. Try the shortest socks on the market or pull your black socks all the way up then pull them down over your sole for added comfort and more cushion. The socks will remain unseen.

A frenzy of short-shorts hit the runways for the 2007 spring collections, including John Bartlett. Bringing back elements of old-school prep and boyish charm, the short-shorts have made a tremendous comeback as many other fashion houses incorporated similar styles into their own collections. This trend is a fresh replacement of the oh-so-tired cargo short, used off and on from the end of the nineties right up through to 2006. Certain styles of cargo shorts came and went, yet overall, the shorts included baggy utility pockets, giving fashion a military twist. It will be great to finally see a change in a staple item; now most of us will be able to let our legs finally breathe. Ken suggests: Khaki Short-shorts with boat deck shoes or Romanesque sandals. A preppy flair of a big pony polo shirt may help many onlookers realize that the general ensemble isn't too feminine.

Could it be possible that man bags are here to stay? The answer is unsure, however one thing is for certain: the modern day briefcase is far more unique and more appealing than what men used to carry. A regular leather carryall has transformed into a personalized valuable item, a trademark of one's own personal style and character and breaks free from the mold of what things are to what things should be. The carryall has been a must in many runway shows, giving each ensemble a bold, manly image. As these bags take a specific shape, each design house is able to accent their bags with their signature pieces. For one, it could be a polished leather satchel or messenger with crocodile trim and brass hardware, for others it might be militaristic canvas tote with rustic leather straps. John Varvatos has taken on the latter of the two. As seen in the picture on the right, John Varvatos introduces (in his 2007 Spring collection) a much more casual bag. As an investment for true versatility and unrivaled quality, this bag can not only endure harsh weather conditions, but can also take on an alternative view of high class carryalls.

Casual grey is a phenomenal way to approach a new year as well as a new season. Most designers opt for a dramatic entrance, fluttering with a wide spectrum of colors and vibrant images painted on, amidst animal prints and luxurious fabrics. Grey has a subtle way of sneaking behind the scenes in order to turn heads dramatically. The key here is subtle. Different shades of grey give Michael Kors (picture to your right) a cool and alternative way to beat the perils of predictability and introduce the unexpected. Complimented with whites and off-whites, this color combination still keeps the most promising season of the year shimmering. Ken suggests: Head-to-toe in similar tones of grey would be overkill. make sure to switch up the grey tones in order to magnify the intensity of your wardrobe choices.

Recently mentioned by the Sartorialist, an unexpected color choice for shoes can really change a person's perspective on the outfit. A dark suit paired with brighter-colored oxfords or sneakers can allow for all the right attention to be directed your way. In Louis Vuitton's Spring 2007 collection, Marc Jacobs opted for a fresh look by offsetting an outfit, black suit vs. white leather shoes. He received all the attention he wanted. Pairing brown shoes with an unexpected suit can brighten your look and still remains timeless and effortlessly sophisticated. It is in the interest of maintaining a unique perspective in the realm of innovative fashion trends that we are constantly able to achieve bold and daring, yet pleasurable and exciting combinations of accessories, clothing and generally style for that matter. Ken suggests: Pick a color choice that wouldn't directly appeal to you and go with it. If it grows on you and others like it too, then you will be known for a having a creative fashionable kick and others will notice you too. (The Sartorialist is a blogger who writes about similar topics of street fashion here in the US and around the globe and also writes on current trends in the industry. You can find The Sartorialist on thesartorialist.blogspot.com.)

The 5K Marathon to Barney's

Dawn approaches. You sluggishly waddle into your closet, where you strip to your underwear and proceed to change into a Hanes Tee, your old basketball shorts or yoga spankies and grab your 30 gig iPod as you head to the front door. Your sneaker choices are... Asics, Nike, Gucci, Reebok... wait, did you say Gucci? That's right folks. Gucci, as well as a thirving subculture of high street fashion are marching the streets of Tokyo, Paris, New York City and almost any other major city in the world for that matter. This is not the first time that major designers as well as smaller-named fashion designers all over the world are vamping basketball shoes.

Hedi Slimane of Dior Homme has enthusiatically promoted a "gutter glam" image of hairband-esque uniforms that take Sid Vicious and Nancy and force them into a whirlwind of chic fabrics, brazen shades of metallics and wardrobe them for a trip down memory lane right to the early 1980's CBGB. Have fashion directors brought about a new wave of high end casual to consumers paying top dollar? If any sensible person has owned a pair of sneakers, one would know that sneakers rarely outlast regular shoes, regardless of the fact that they had been worn on a daily basis or are only brought out once or twice a year. So, you think that designer shoes end at canvas logo keds? Think again. Some of fashion's most outlandish creations are drenched in crocodile, ostrich, and snakeskin leathers. With gold-accents and braided horse hair, these shoes are to only be worn with a fur coat, at David Lachapelle's latest onset project in Central Park, following unneccessary media coverage, later worn by Lindsay Lohan.

So, what is the deal we ask? What IS the point of lavish sneakers? And since hundreds of millions of increasingly expensive athletic wear are being produced by the season, what should we look for next: Victoria's Secret and their $7 million sports bra? Bags and clothes from time to time, have the ability to outlast their expiration date. Sneakers? Your father's wedding tux? Some items aren't always just as big the second time around. To put it into perspective, would a 20-something girl dream that someday, maybe she could wear her mother's vintage Swarovski-encrusted Nike Air Force 1's? I guess only time can tell. Safe purchases aren't always safe, but don't shift to the other end of the bench and purchase a risky outfit just so that you are an original, unlike anyone else.

It is sensible to buy a clean pair of casual shoes for your Diesel jeans, perhaps some stylish kicks to enhance your image of athletic agility. Buying designer sneakers to work out in, paying too much for sneakers or simply wasting resources that could stock the accessories department at Harrod's with a year supply of jewels is not worth it. Take this into account: the life of running shoes lasts from 6 months to about a year. Anytime over that, white sneakers turn yellow, the soles begin to flatten, and the aesthetic maintenance becomes too complex. Keeping a balance away from the creme de la creme of absurdly high-end workout gear to the same Shell-toed Adidas you sported in high school is a sureshot way to avoid unneccessary attention. In short, trying too hard (or trying too little for that matter) can hurt your image. So next time you consider couture gym shoes, think that workout gear was never really meant to impress, it was created to maximize your performance by givng the athlete the ability to move swiftly with no pain or discomfort. After all, we want our workout to be comfortable as well as manageable. What do most fashion designers know about athletic garb anyway? My bet is that Salvatore, Karl, Christopher Bailey and the likes have no extensive background in the knowledge of Gore-Tex soled tennies, either.

Battling "Celebrity Look-Alike Syndrome"!

Amidst a trembling fury of publicized celebrity scandals and overdramatized appearances at award shows such as the Academy Awards and the MTV Video Music Awards, A-list celebrities create what is known as the Butterfly Effect, with a little help from hypersensationalism in the media these days. By saying the Butterfly Effect, I am directly correlating huge waves of current fashion trends and styling techniques with Consumerist America's Biggest Problem: Buying those looks to imitate the lives of the rich and famous. But, how do the lives of so many young men and women become sucked into this necessity to adhere to celebrity standards of dress and style?

"You will hear so much about a look from celebrities that we attempt to recreate the lives of the people we always hear so much about", says a 21 year-old student attending the University of Colorado in Boulder. By reading magazines such a W, Vogue or US Weekly, we are able to manipulate different trends that have become iconic within the neighborhoods and the Hills of Hollywood and a vast majority of Los Angeles. "Celebrities always have a huge impact on the way people live their lives. When Jessica Simpson buys a new bag, 3 million people want it, 200,000 people actually get something that looks like it and only a handful actually get the exact bag", says the anonymous University student. People who follow these trends need someone to look up to, why not the stars?

A major problem overlooked by many individuals (who are feverishly shopping ebay in the hopes that Lindsay Lohan's Oversized White Balenciaga Motorcycle bag will be sold at a mere fraction of the price) is that these trends adopted by Models, actresses, heiresses (or any one who has too much money for their own good for that matter) are trends that are rarely chosen for themselves. Of course they are given an option of what to wear and look like, however with the help of big fashion houses, celebrities are handed a $14,000 handbag that is photographed to the high heavens, creating an uproar of celebrity fans to stampede into our Nation's malls in search of that very bag at affordable prices. This process is not only a waste of time, however, is a waste of individual style, as we each mold into different Hollywood/TV personalities in the hopes that other people will look upon us as being A-list ourselves. While we choose to imitate the rich and famous, millions of
company's, who are void of any groundbreaking fashion concepts and prefer to replicate millions of cheap knock-offs for quick money to become successful, are embezzling the public's ability to think and choose their own personalized fashion methods.

A quick and easy way to correct this absurd vicious cycle of senseless fashion choices, one should rethink their very own reasoning behind purchasing a bag, a pair of shoes, a coat, or any other item for that matter. Are big retro sunglasses what we really want? Or is this a trend that looks great on Nicole Richie and therefore, must look good on me? By making these decisions, we are able to turn our heads away from a constant need to delve into Hollywood fashion; a look that many of us don't even know why people began wearing it to begin with. Instead, try to use concepts that celebrities use and revamp that look to hit a more personalized style. This will show that you have at least the slightest idea of what fashion is, how to access specific trends in current fashion, and more importantly, how to make your favored look more you. Most celebrities could never say the same. That's what stylists are for, after all right?

Man Bags, Murses, Messengers, etc.

It is not a big shock to anyone who flips through a men's fashion magazine that any given page would show a man carrying an oversized bag with anything but gym clothes. These days, laptops, day planners, gloves, your blackberry, wallet and keys can all be stored securely in what has been called a man bag.

I hate to admit it, Gentlemen, but we are moving forward into the era of practicality, where men can place all personal belongings that don't fit in a pocket into a sac that doesn't scream, "I bought this bag at North Face or I purchased this at the local Army Surplus". Men should feel comfortable enough to carry any bag around without being ridiculed. Who says women are the only ones who need a bag to place all their personal belongings. And to think that we had pockets stuffed with change, chapstick, keys, cellphones, wallets, etc. It's not wonder that many guys face challenges when meeting women. Cargo pockets are even a bad idea. I know, I know, they are called utility pants for a reason, but these days, those pockets are more for show.

So, the idea behind a man bag is to simply introduce innovative and stylistic ways of presenting yourself. Does it look girly? The answer is NO! For years, men have been carrying duffel bags, gym bags, briefcases and messenger bags. How is a man bag any different? It serves a very practical purpose and gives more options to a very "option-obsessed" culture upon which we live in. The femininity of a man bag is no different from a well-polished leather briefcase. In fact, a man bag can help you organize your day: you have cereal bars and power bars for breakfast and working out, your laptop, planner, portfolio and wallet can all fit in as well, a mini pouch with a change of clothes can give you the option of hitting the gym after a meeting, and a small snack of fruit and a sandwich can be tossed in for extra energy throughout the day. Need I say more?

So which bag should you opt for? For a smaller day, plan to carry less items and throw on a messenger bag. This way, you will not have to carry unnecessary items and still have room for items to put in later on in the day. For any regular day, a hand held or a bigger messenger bag will do. This will allow for you to place extra items in the bag so that you don't have to make extra trips back home and instead, able you to take care of all your errands and activities in one go. For a full day, make sure you have a mini duffel-like bag to store everything you need. This may include an extra set of clothes, just in case you don't end up going home fore the night. With this option, you will be able to pack a small travel hygiene kit, underwear, socks, pants and a shirt along with your everyday files, papers, and gadgets.

In terms of the material of any man bag, the safest route to take is always the leather bag. This will always be considered a classic and no person in their right mind will mistake a solid black, brown or dark green leather for a women's purse, whether it's polished, plain, distressed or suede. Canvas is also a safe bet. This fabric has always been gender-neutral and, when worn correctly, can scream rugged and masculine while avoiding a rustic, soldier-esque appearance.

All in all, the final decision is in your hands. You can make the effort to make a change and solidify a reputation as an individual who, not only pioneers in innovative fashion trends, but can be the guy who is nothing but a distinguishly-refined, well-presented, talently-organized and intoxicatingly-sophisticated young gentleman. It's a bag people, not a sex change!