For the Boys
On the tail of the Fall ’12 men’s collections, there are plenty of inspiration than may uplift even the dreariest of winter wardrobes. There is also something striking about the majority of menswear, however fresh and new: an enduring simplicity to the clothing, a framework that is maintained no matter the time or season or individual. In the words of Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz, “It’s not modernity that’s important, it’s relevance.” Perhaps that is the anchor for its timeless endurance: relevancy. Menswear seems to consist of clothing articles that are somewhat expected, persistent. There is little ambiguity, unlike the extravagant and inventive realm of women, where the measureless room to play creates foreign items that are sometimes difficult to make sense of, let alone wear in the real world.
For men, there are some unspoken boundaries that contain clothing constructs (for the most part) to articles that remain recognizable, being bonded by the rules that the particular piece succumbs to by the nature of its definition. For men, clothing functions similarly to cooking. There is a recipe, a formula for how components are mixed together. It is in this ease of men’s fashion that the charm lays. Harmonious with the minimalist trend that has settled over the sartorial world, keeping things simple will only work in a man’s best interests this season.
This focus on simplicity is certainly not synonymous with being boring. Think sleek and clean, and look to shoes and outerwear as the outlet for expression and play. Also, individual nuances can nestle in the details: rolled cuffs on sleeves or pant legs, jeans tucked into boots, or shirt collars poking out from the neck of a sweater. And above all, remember that proportion and fit are key.
Trends that characterize the cold-weather collections include aviator and military inspired pieces. There is also plenty of leather, taking the form of coats, pants, gloves, bags, and even dinner jacket lapels. Neutral knits with exaggerated texture and contrasting patterns provide warmth. And lastly, in the words of the great Jay and Ye, “black on black on black”, or other monochromatic combinations for that matter, will put you on point this season.
Chelsea Beyer
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