Post Tagged with: "trends"

Head and shoulders above the rest

Head and shoulders above the rest

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Given the speed with which Balmania has swept the fashion world, it was only a matter of time before we began to see exaggerated shoulder pads on the high street. And now we’ve received an exclusive tip that the self-proclaimed arbiter of male style, Kanye West, has jumped on the trend for his latest movie with a specially commissioned shoulder-pad-tastic jacket by womenswear designer and stylist Romero Bryan.

Bryan has already adopted the Balmain style shoulder in his own clothing, adapting t-shirts for nights out:

“Giving myself wider shoulders makes my waistline appear a lot smaller giving me the perfect V shape body,” says Bryan. “If I ruled the fashion world there would definitely be more shoulder pads!”

The truth is that menswear designers and tailors have a better understanding of the power of the shoulder pad than anyone.

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Cummerbunds Turn Practical

Cummerbunds Turn Practical

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Hark, men’s fashion is exuding a renewed optimism, with jarring silhouettes and inspired tailoring shaking up tradition. The cummerbund is a case in point. When Stuckey & Murray reinvented the tuxedo’s cummerbund to take on a more detachable utility, I applauded its progressiveness. Since then, I’ve seen the cummerbund take on dizzying new heights in men’s wear courtesy of Marc by Marc Jacobs and Burberry Prorsum.

Conventional use of the cummerbund has been largely confined to formal appearances alongside a dinner jacket. However, Jacobs and Bailey switched formality for exuberance in the form of expressive patterned cummberbunds that would leave Alan Flusser sweating in his boots.

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White Socks and Black Dress Shoes…Finally Acceptable?

White Socks and Black Dress Shoes…Finally Acceptable?

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In comparison to our female counterparts, menswear can be viewed as rigid. To some, the stoic tradition that defines men’s fashion is what keeps things on an even keel. For others, these rigours serve as creative license to unsettle what seems to be the norm. I say all this because I’m noticing a rebel of sorts within menswear that would leave the staunchest traditionalists livid. However, for the longevity of men’s fashion, I think this break with tradition can be healthy. Or maybe not. Well, you be the judge as I share with you some recent avant garde encounters and sightings that had me shook.

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A time and place for the Wellington boot

A time and place for the Wellington boot

The Good

John Legend may have eschewed all levels of style etiquette by venturing out with a suit complete with Wellingtons, but please don’t let his missteps lead you to cast a finicky eye over the trend. Unfortunately Mr. Legend didn’t get the memo, but keeping one’s Wellingtons away from the red carpet is a no−brainer.

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Check This New Trend Out!

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It seems as though designers have found inspiration from the Scottish highlands this season as runways at the Autumn/Winter 2008 shows saw the return of the check.

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Skirts for Men? Marc Jacobs Gives the Green Light

Skirts for Men? Marc Jacobs Gives the Green Light

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A little over a month ago in the quaint town of Poitiers in western France, a gentleman by the name of Dominique Moreau engages in a movement against the rigid, gender−based sartorial codes of fashion. He—in league with thirty other able bodied men—spends a good part of the day wearing skirts.

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The Polo is back…

The Polo is back…

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Ok, so winter may be on its way and it’s a fact we are all well aware of. Talk of summer holiday destinations no longer dominates office lunch breaks, coats and jackets in all shapes and sizes have started to hit stores and worst of all Harrods have already started to sell Christmas gifts.

But before we enter a state of despair as the days start to get shorter and our car wind screens start to get icier, relax in the fact that top designers have thought ahead this season. Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent and Michael Kors are among the top designers who are trying to protect us from catching a cold this winter by bringing back the polo neck top.

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Alexander McQueen is All for Sandals and Socks. Are You?

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As the age-old fashion faux-pas of wearing socks with sandals sauntered down the runway of Alexander McQueen’s men’s SS09 show, US Vogue came out with their “Ageless” issue to celebrate the fashion industry’s old guards.

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The Plot Thickens: Ankle Socks Spotted in Sweden

The Plot Thickens: Ankle Socks Spotted in Sweden

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Just the other day, I reported on the ankle sock and lace-ups trend that sprouted over the course of the spring/summer men’s shows in Milan and Paris.

Yes, ankle socks are slowly becoming a source of comfort and style for those men who would rather not go sockless for the summer. And, ahem, given I’m not one to endorse socklessness; I’m mighty thrilled at this development.

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Battle of the Bow Ties: Andre 3000 vs Alber Elbaz

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There is a margin of frivolity when dealing with bow ties. When done correctly the traditionally formal pieces can redefine the level of casual dressing sanctioned in streetwear. Battles in the bowtie arena have been undoubtedly won by Andre 3000 and rejuvenator of iconic couture house Lanvin, Alber Elbaz.

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