Category: Men Fashion

Fashion shows are no foreign concept and contrary to what you may believe they have a strong influence over your wardrobe. In my endeavor to find out what the future has in store in the men’s fashion front; I embarked on a tour that concluded in Montreal, Canada. Montreal has long been known as the official “Headquarters of the Canadian Rag Trade,” and the city bustles with high profile, prize winning designers in “Rue de la Montagne” fashion district.

Although the formal wear and classic cuts featured in many trend reports online are universal, I looked to Montreal for directional message in menswear. Forget the hype, in this article I present 3 futuristic trends that have the potential of taking over the high fashion streets and also easy enough to be adopted by the average man.

Military Inspiration

Prepare to defend yourself against the clothing rudiments that salute everything military. Spearheading the pack is Rudsack; available was a range of military regalia like the clip-on leather hoods, 3/4 fatigues with cargo pockets – also featured in leather, four pocket jacket, flight pants, just to name a few. Though the headgear may appear too literal, its military inspiration is irresistible. To adopt this trend you’ll have to opt details such as utilitarian pockets on jackets and rivets on belts. Embrace the trend full with combat boots that are functional as well as stylish.

Mix and match

Dinh Ba is active with his idea combo. Dinh Ba paired various colors, prints and styles to achieve an individual look. I saw a black-and-white pinstripe oxford under a sandblasted printed blazer worn with casual motorcycle boots. While this kind of mixing and matching is best left on the runway, the idea is correct. The message is to achieve a look by mixing and matching different elements, even within a single item.

Lopsidedness

How does something like a classic sweater or jacket get updated season after season? Based on designer ‘Philippe Dubucs show, it’s all in the details; asymmetrical ones so to say. Similar to the big scarves, the neckline also appears to be an area of focus in Montreal; this was achieved through asymmetrical layers and zip-closures. I particularly liked the heavyweight pull-over jacket featuring a zipper that extends from the neckline to the armpit. Other more abstract pieces include a scarf -like vest with asymmetrical layering and leather zipper detailing. While some of these ideas are more conceptual than wearable, your best bet is to find some sweaters with interesting asymmetry next fall to provide a trendy alternative to your basics. This look should be reserved for weekend attire, and opt for darker colors to avoid excessive competition with the details.

Whenever the necessity to attend a formal occasion like a corporate get-together, business meet or official reception arises, it is important you are attired in the perfect tuxedo. There are indeed many different types of tuxes and tuxedo accessories for one to choose from. But it will be easier for you to select the right tuxedo for the formal occasion if you can understand the nature and formality of that occasion.

You should particularly attach significance to three things – time of the event whether it is scheduled for morning, afternoon or evening, is it a traditional, ultra-formal, formal, semi-formal, contemporary type of function and finally, has any dress requirement is mentioned in the invitation card.

You will have to necessarily wear a different type of tuxedo for the morning and evening event. There is no common type of tuxedo to suit both type of occasions. If the event is taking place during day time then more casual tuxedos may be appropriate but night time events certainly demand formal tuxedo.

Cutaway coat is a long coat which is dark grey in color and it is usually worn for morning events. Dinner jacket is another type of tuxedo that is meant for late evening functions. This type of tuxedo features a white jacket of regular length with no bells and whistles. Director’s suit is generally worn for a daytime formal wedding only. Tails are strictly reserved for ultra formal and evening occasions.

Tuxedos are the preferred choice of men who frequently attend formal occasions. Wearing tuxedos during formal occasions lends majesty and elegance. Most men prefer black tuxedos as it is widely available, comfortable to wear and gives a classic look. Decide whether you would wear single breasted or double breasted suit. Trends are changing and today both types are deemed appropriate for formal occasions. If you want a more formal look, then tail jacket with a black tie would make you stand out. This would give a formal look particularly in evening parties.

Suits that are rented from department store are conveniently available in different styles to keep updated with the latest trends. If you are planning to rent a tuxedo, however make sure it fits you perfectly as any ill-fitting suit will make you look grotesque. Rented suits are tailored with the average male body in mind, and thus may not fit you perfectly. Once you have decided your favorite tuxedo, get it altered if it is loose. If you are purchasing the tuxedo do check the style and the fabric. If you are unsure which style will suit you, then you can consult the shop owner who will certainly guide you.

Wearing accessories with tuxedos can further enhance your appearance. Some of the important accessories are shoes, bow ties, cummerbunds, cufflinks and waist coats. Cummerbunds and waist coats with a right-fitting tuxedo can make you look trendy. Make sure that the pleats of the cummerbund are upward facing, in case you wear one.

Be careful while choosing the color of your shirt as shirts generally reflect your taste. Silk, brightly colored shirts can work truly well with tuxedos that are worn on formal occasions. There are listings of the latest designs of tuxedos in the market and they come in different colors, fabrics, designs and styles for wearing during formal occasions. The occasion you are attending will help you in choosing the kind of formal wear tuxedo you are going to buy or rent.

Men want to look good in every situation from beach to boardroom. Perhaps this is why mens swimwear is becoming increasingly fashion-conscious. Taking a cue from womens swimwear, mens swimwear is now designed to accentuate the merits of the male body in styles ranging from the minimalist bikini brief to the more modest board short silhouette.

Trends come and go, and mens swimwear is no exception. While the traditional Speedo-style swim brief was popular in the past, today men are purchasing less swim briefs perhaps because they have a restricting fit and provide minimal coverage.

Instead, more men are opting for the board short style of mens swimwear, which has a relaxed, comfortable fit and offers more coverage. Board shorts for men are so hot that women are wearing board shorts, too. Youll find boyfriend style board shorts in womens casual fashion and womens swimwear designs.

Mens swimwear comes in four main categories: Board shorts, swim trunks, swim shorts and swim briefs. Of these types of mens swimwear, board shorts are by far the most popular. In fact, board shorts are the fastest growing trend in mens swimwear today.

Board Shorts

What is it about mens swimwear board shorts that makes them so popular? Perhaps its the comfortable fit and casual styling that make board shorts a favorite among men. Perhaps its the athletic spirit of board shorts, which were originally developed for surfing but quickly spread to mainstream mens swimwear.

Authentic board shorts are designed to be quick drying; they are often made of smooth polyester or nylon material. Board shorts are durable and hold up to wear from contact with a surfboard yet they are comfortable and lightweight. This type of mens swimwear doesnt have an elastic waist like swim shorts do; instead it has a more rigid waistband with a laced drawstring. Board shorts have longer legs than other mens swimwear with the length extending below the knees at times.

The hottest brand names in mens swimwear are introducing board short swimwear designs this year, including True Religion, Armani and Diesel. Of course, True Religion is known for its signature denim styles, and the brand doesnt fall short of expectations when it comes to mens swimwear.

This season, True Religion introduced mens swimwear board shorts featuring well-known True Religion denim touches such as large contrast stitching, a zipper fly, two back pockets and a slimmer leg, cut to look more like jeans.

Swim Briefs

The mens swim brief is cut like a bikini brief, without any extra fabric on the legs and often with low-rise styling. The old-school Speedo type of swimsuit is a traditional mens swim brief. Although Speedo is a brand of mens swimwear, Speedo has become synonymous with any tight-fitting minimalist swim brief.

When it comes to competitive swimming and triathlons, Speedo is the top brand. Speedo swim briefs are form-fitting to reduce drag. They have been the go-to brand for competitive water sports for many years. The traditional Speedo swim brief is also seen on the beaches of Europe, where men and women typically expose more skin than in the United States.

Today, Speedo is making mens swimwear with a longer length leg, including board shorts. In fact, Speedo is one of the top-selling brands of board shorts. However, the traditional Speedo swim brief remains the favorite of some men.

Swim Trunks

Another popular style in mens swimwear today is the swim trunk, which resembles the boxer brief in mens underwear. The swim trunk has shorter legs than board shorts but longer legs than a swim brief. For many men, the swim trunk represents a happy medium style of mens swimwear.

The swim trunk enjoyed notoriety when Daniel Craig wore a swim trunk in the James Bond movie Casino Royale. Fueled by the trunk silhouette in mens underwear, the swim trunk has become a popular choice for men who want to show off their physique without squeezing into a tight-fitting swim brief.

Cut straight across at the legs, the swim trunk swimsuit provides more coverage of the backside. Many men prefer the swim trunk to other types of mens swimwear since the swim trunk is sexy but still leaves a little to the imagination.

Swim Shorts

Mens swimwear also includes swim shorts, which are the boxers of mens swimwear. They look similar to the boxer style of mens underwear, with legs that reach mid-thigh length and a soft, elasticized waist. Typically, mens swimwear swim trunks are flyless.

Two top fashion brands that have recently introduced mens swim shorts are Armani and Diesel. Although swim shorts are the least popular of the four types of mens swimwear, swim shorts have a loyal following and some men prefer this type of silhouette to other mens swimwear styles.

Fashion changes almost as much as some men change their bed sheets – at least once every six months. It can be hard to keep up, but don’t worry; we’ve checked out the hottest trends in men’s fashion for 2011 so you don’t have to do it yourself. One hot trend that’s emerging is floral patterns – these were all over the catwalk, everywhere from paisley shirts to louder flowery options and some great beach shorts, suggesting the designers are trying to alter the way men view fashion.

Of course, it wasn’t all about the feminine patterns on the 2011 catwalks. Another hot item for men is the blazer. These were particularly abundant in soft, block colors such as pale mauve, grey, green and blue, which are really versatile colors. This makes your blazer wearable for any occasion, whether it’s a formal event or something more social. Blazers are also superbly tailored, attractive and their great lines are flattering on any man, making this a great trend for 2011.

Blazers weren’t the only jacket style on the 2011 catwalks; leather jackets were seen dotted around, too. The bomber style seemed to be particularly popular, affecting a great sporty look that works well on any man. Leather bomber jackets are a great way of keeping out the chill, particularly at more casual occasions such as sporting events and they come with loads of pockets, making them practical as well as fashionable. Wear it unzipped over a shirt for a laidback, ultra-hip look.

Of course, fashion is nothing if not ever so slightly odd from time to time, which may explain why crop tops were a key trend on the men’s 2011 catwalks. This may sound like one for the women, but trust us, it’s not. We’re not talking about tiny crops here, more like loose tees that are just a bit shorter than normal. These are really flattering if you’ve got a great set of abs to show off and are surprisingly. They’re most popular in block colors like black and white.

Another slightly surprising entry to the list of men’s fashion trends for 2011 is lace and other sheer clothes. Again, this may sound like something from the women’s catwalks, but worn in the right way, it can look great on men, too. Sheer shirts were especially popular and could be fantastic when worn on a summer vacation – they’d be really great for showing off your tan on the beach and are also brilliant for layering over other things, giving you plenty of options.

Due to the increasing demands of scarves by French men, these are made widely available in Paris at the following houses of fashion: Hermis Paris, Galleries Lafayette, Paris by Appointment Only, Laurence Bossion, Scarf Aid, John Galliano, Givenchy, L’inde Le Palais, and Belisi.

French men love to wear neck scarves as their accessories. For this reason, French designers are continuously creating new lines of scarf designs, which are available at the following stores in Paris:

Hermis paris – hermes.com

Hermes of Paris belongs to the Hermes International, which has been granted the right to sell Hermes products like contemporary scarves and ties for men through the Internet. However, its principal office is located at 55 East 59th Street, New York.

Galleries Lafayette – galerieslafayette.com

This is a retail store where floors 0-3 contain most of the fashion and accessories both for men and women. Almost all kinds of wearable items are found available there. You just have to exert more time and patience in order to find the men’s scarves department.

Paris by appointment only – parisbao.com

Melleur Ami, founded by Fabien Larchez’, is a brand of accessories specializing on bags and scarves. All their scarves come in limited edition, which is only about 3-6 scarves per fabric. The materials used are silk, cotton, linen, wool, and even leather – all fabricated depending on the climate and occasion.

Laurence bossion – laurencebossion.com

From en.parisinfo.com, you can get a long list of fashion designers in the likes of Laurence Bossion, specializing on scarves, gloves, and bags.

Scarf aid – scarfaid.com

This site features the top French designers for men’s scarves namely Fendi, Versace, Armani Valentino and more. Just check out their respective sites to find out more about their designs.

John Galliano – johngalliano.com

A famous designer who was featured in ourfashionblog.com, is John Galliano who flaunted his new designs of luxurious scarves and bows. He has his own fashion house, which showcases all his fashion ideas.

Givenchy – givenchy.com

Another designer of a French brand of clothing and accessories is Hubert de Givenchy. Scarves for men and women are among his top quality collections.

L’inde le Palais – lindestore.com

Lindstore features the signature scarves of Lavin, a famous French designer. Scarves for both men and women are sold at a very expensive price due to its popular brand name.

Belisi – belisi.com

Here at Belisi, various scarves like men’s, signature, theme, designer’s, winter scarves are sold. The available designs include harmony pink pocket, Veronica pocket squares, white tiger pocket and more.