Thursday, October 11, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Fashion Forecasts: Men's Fashion Trends, Spring 2008
The long-awaited spring trends have been showcased and critics are raving! Flash photography, red carpets, tiny foldaway chairs and important people. Hamish Bowles, Anna Wintour, Simon Doonan, The Hilton sisters and many more set the standard for appropriate dress for each show. The crowd fans away with programs, eagerly awaiting the first runway model to strut the catwalk with what will soon make fashion history. And, indeed it did! Not particularly different from any other show, yet something set the mood for a slightly different spring season. The presence of colors and sheer shirts made the cut. Yet, something completely wild and spectacular has captured the very essence of fashion for 2008. What exactly made this spring season a season to remember? Ken goes to discover (click on the picture for a detailed view).
The four pctures above exemplify a typical spring trend. The cardigan. With its layering capabilities and flawless versatility, the cardigan connects the cold winter nights with the fresh spring climate. The in-between turn-to ensemble always includes a good cardigan. And with geek chic still on cruise control through the style lane, could it be better timing to dig out an old cardigan from prep school or from dad's closet? With over a million colors and styles to choose from, you are bound to find something that compliments you! Ken suggests: Stick with a versatile color. Grays, beige, and black seem to be a good fall back for the spring season, believe it or not. Otherwise, go traditional. Perhaps an argyle or heavy night cable with a different color trim.
Although I am not particularly crazy about this look, I urge everyone to strongly consider the blatant irony in plaid. As we steer further away from traditional dress, it is the most appropriate time to have fun with traditional patterns. No real need for me to explain the reason why plaid on plaid is unacceptable. Sometimes a little bit too much of something eccentric just looks tacky. But, there are ways in which to utilize bits and pieces of plaid to create an astonishingly appealing ensemble. Whatever the case, bold plaid has hit the runway! Alas, skip the black and white houndstooth and avoid the herringbone. Bold plaid is back and in absolute full-force. It is something truly remarkable to play around and be able to update traditional patterns. Ken suggests: Let accessories this spring be doused in plaid. Shoes, bags, belts, headbands, etc. It is a good way to play with this trend, keep it updated and avoid a clash of two or more patterns and colors.
Who says women are the only ones who can show a little leg? After some attempts to bring back the short-shorts for men, this spring, many designers have incorporated the short-shorts to their collection, giving their overall spin on spring just a little bit more breezy. Designers such as Thom Brown and Nicholas Ghesquiere have used this to really bring together a business suit and a tennis uniform. And strange enough as it is, the look seems to work! Not 'to' work, that is, but for an occasion that is anything but professional. It also brings another element of geek chic to the table, playing on stereotypes of summer uniforms for little boys. Given the right fit and and the right hang, these shorts will give women one more reason to gawk at men all day long. Ken suggests: Since this is a relatively new trend, stick with the basics: Khaki and off-white. These two colors will keep the look neutral, yet, it will allow for the look to stand out in the right way. Think of how you would wear regular khaki shorts, now wear a fitted polo and a pair of top-siders and you are good to go!
I titeld these photos 'Curiously Shiny Black' because I think it explains one of this spring's looks very well. What is it about the black this spring? Is it me, or does black seem to be too reminiscent of gloomy weather and/or still nights? Well truthfully, it all makes sense. Black is rather unpredictable for spring and rarely speaks the mood of the start of a blossoming season. So why not introduce something different? In the same way that an individual would wear all-back in the middle of the day, it is time that we incorporate black into our spring wardrobe. From light-knit sweaters to shorts, a good dark shade should make a contrast between this season and prior spring collections. I urge you to experiment with an all-black ensemble for spring to stand out instead of blend in with the usual floral prints and pastel shades. Ken suggests: stay away from heavy fabrics and try to maintain the essence of spring clothing with short sleeve and shorts in nothing but black. A little use of color will ensure that you haven't forgotten the new season and have chosen to move 'fashion' forward, without looking too gothic.
Pink is back! Once again, in full-force. It is good to see a softer side on a masculine figure. Pink works in so many different ways. Apart from it's capability of transforming the toughest lad into a laid back gentleman, it redefines the traditional male by giving a not-so typical color for the most appropriate time to wear pink. Being appropriate with pink is still crucial, as it still defies mainstream masculine style. Therefore, finding the right time to wear pink will help future generations adopt this style choice. From light shades to a piercing magenta, pink has blasted onto the runway in the most stunning presentation possible. Nothing feminine about it! The cuts and style of the pink clothing remain traditional, giving it a manly flaire. Top fashion houses such as Bottega Veneta and Calvin Klein have used pink to their spring collection in a simple and illustrious manner. Ken suggests: Pink is good. If you have been wearing it all along, continue! Yet, try to stay away from a popped collar or super-tight fitted pink clothing. There is still a thin line between fashionable and flamboyant. You are trying to make a fresh statement not a flaming one.
The four pctures above exemplify a typical spring trend. The cardigan. With its layering capabilities and flawless versatility, the cardigan connects the cold winter nights with the fresh spring climate. The in-between turn-to ensemble always includes a good cardigan. And with geek chic still on cruise control through the style lane, could it be better timing to dig out an old cardigan from prep school or from dad's closet? With over a million colors and styles to choose from, you are bound to find something that compliments you! Ken suggests: Stick with a versatile color. Grays, beige, and black seem to be a good fall back for the spring season, believe it or not. Otherwise, go traditional. Perhaps an argyle or heavy night cable with a different color trim.
Although I am not particularly crazy about this look, I urge everyone to strongly consider the blatant irony in plaid. As we steer further away from traditional dress, it is the most appropriate time to have fun with traditional patterns. No real need for me to explain the reason why plaid on plaid is unacceptable. Sometimes a little bit too much of something eccentric just looks tacky. But, there are ways in which to utilize bits and pieces of plaid to create an astonishingly appealing ensemble. Whatever the case, bold plaid has hit the runway! Alas, skip the black and white houndstooth and avoid the herringbone. Bold plaid is back and in absolute full-force. It is something truly remarkable to play around and be able to update traditional patterns. Ken suggests: Let accessories this spring be doused in plaid. Shoes, bags, belts, headbands, etc. It is a good way to play with this trend, keep it updated and avoid a clash of two or more patterns and colors.
Who says women are the only ones who can show a little leg? After some attempts to bring back the short-shorts for men, this spring, many designers have incorporated the short-shorts to their collection, giving their overall spin on spring just a little bit more breezy. Designers such as Thom Brown and Nicholas Ghesquiere have used this to really bring together a business suit and a tennis uniform. And strange enough as it is, the look seems to work! Not 'to' work, that is, but for an occasion that is anything but professional. It also brings another element of geek chic to the table, playing on stereotypes of summer uniforms for little boys. Given the right fit and and the right hang, these shorts will give women one more reason to gawk at men all day long. Ken suggests: Since this is a relatively new trend, stick with the basics: Khaki and off-white. These two colors will keep the look neutral, yet, it will allow for the look to stand out in the right way. Think of how you would wear regular khaki shorts, now wear a fitted polo and a pair of top-siders and you are good to go!
I titeld these photos 'Curiously Shiny Black' because I think it explains one of this spring's looks very well. What is it about the black this spring? Is it me, or does black seem to be too reminiscent of gloomy weather and/or still nights? Well truthfully, it all makes sense. Black is rather unpredictable for spring and rarely speaks the mood of the start of a blossoming season. So why not introduce something different? In the same way that an individual would wear all-back in the middle of the day, it is time that we incorporate black into our spring wardrobe. From light-knit sweaters to shorts, a good dark shade should make a contrast between this season and prior spring collections. I urge you to experiment with an all-black ensemble for spring to stand out instead of blend in with the usual floral prints and pastel shades. Ken suggests: stay away from heavy fabrics and try to maintain the essence of spring clothing with short sleeve and shorts in nothing but black. A little use of color will ensure that you haven't forgotten the new season and have chosen to move 'fashion' forward, without looking too gothic.
Pink is back! Once again, in full-force. It is good to see a softer side on a masculine figure. Pink works in so many different ways. Apart from it's capability of transforming the toughest lad into a laid back gentleman, it redefines the traditional male by giving a not-so typical color for the most appropriate time to wear pink. Being appropriate with pink is still crucial, as it still defies mainstream masculine style. Therefore, finding the right time to wear pink will help future generations adopt this style choice. From light shades to a piercing magenta, pink has blasted onto the runway in the most stunning presentation possible. Nothing feminine about it! The cuts and style of the pink clothing remain traditional, giving it a manly flaire. Top fashion houses such as Bottega Veneta and Calvin Klein have used pink to their spring collection in a simple and illustrious manner. Ken suggests: Pink is good. If you have been wearing it all along, continue! Yet, try to stay away from a popped collar or super-tight fitted pink clothing. There is still a thin line between fashionable and flamboyant. You are trying to make a fresh statement not a flaming one.
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