Mens Clothing
Spring/summer fashion for men in 2013
Designers are always on the lookout for new inspiration. Following the success of the sporting year that was 2012, most designers looked to the sports world for new ideas for their 2013 spring/ summer collections. The physiques of the sportsmen, coupled with their abundant passion and drive, provided ample inspiration for the clothing items seen on the Milan, Paris and London runways.
Most pieces are designed to be flexible enough to cross over from spring to summer with minimal fuss. This makes it possible to dress fashionably for both seasons without spending money on new clothes.
Trends to look out for
The season’s colour palette consists of yellow and orange, with bright blue being voted the favourite colour. White also remains a good choice. For a classically inspired look, beige and sage green should be mixed with different shades of brown.
A few wardrobe essentials make a comeback with some alterations. Men have the option of buying the new high-waist, carrot-leg trousers as suitable alternatives to the usual low-slung ones. These can be paired with knitted polo shirts or t-shirts made from cotton or linen. These shirts are suitable for wear during both the wet spring months and the hot summer.
Cool mornings and evenings call for blazers or jackets. The double-breasted blazer, cut to mid-thigh or longer, has never really gone out of style and would be the best choice should the weather turn chilly. Men may also opt to don bomber jackets. Several designers chose lighter fabrics such as satin for the jackets, while others opted for plain cotton.
Men who lean towards a more casual style will be spoilt for choice with the wide selection of denim available in various cuts and washes. The fashion conscious are sure to find a style that gives them the perfect laid-back look.
Men’s boat shoes
Boat shoes were originally worn by sailors or those who spent most of their time on ship decks. These shoes were traditionally fashioned from leather and had rubber soles with thin slits for improved traction and grip, especially when worn on slippery surfaces. Over time, they were adapted for casual use, becoming one of the most popular types of footwear around the globe.
Boat shoes owe much of their popularity to their versatility, affordability, durability and comfort. They are also light in weight, making them ideal for those men who have to be on their feet all day long. In addition, they work well when combined with a variety of outfits, from outdoor gear to a more relaxed look for those casual days at the office.
Most men prefer to wear their boat shoes without socks, although these can be added for occasions that are more formal. They work well when paired with jeans or chinos and a simple t-shirt for a laid-back look. For a day spent lazing around the house or outdoors, boat shoes can be worn together with shorts to create a rugged look.
Available in a variety of materials and brands
There are many types of boat shoes in the market, all made from different materials. Those made from leather are the most suitable for formal occasions. Additionally, they are completely waterproof, thus perfect for cold and rainy weather.
Canvas boat shoes on the other hand are good for hot days. This material allows free circulation of air around the feet, wicking away sweat and preventing foul odour. All boat shoes have comfortable insoles to ensure that the feet remain cosy throughout.
Men are simply spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting a particular brand of boat shoes. The leading brands include Sperry, Sebago, Rockport, Timberland and Salomon, among others. These are available in various outlets in a wide price range.
Read MoreWhat are ‘meggings’?
Leggings have risen from humble beginnings, first appearing in the 1980s as an accompaniment to the cut off sweaters and leg warmers worn by the kids in Fame. After a brief respite, as we went back to classic men’s Levi jeans, meggings made a storming comeback and are now legitimately considered a staple in every girl’s capsule wardrobe. What’s more, they gave way to jeggings and womankind delighted in wearing what looked like skinny jeans without the risk of wrinkly knees; not to mention last year when leggings got in on the festive action and up and down the country, the legs of teenage girls were clad in après-ski prints.
Leggings in all their styles, lengths and fabrics have always been the domain of women, that is, until now. Already the gentlemen of New York City are showing off their finely-sculpted calves in an unexpected trend; ‘meggings’ (male-leggings), it seems, are here to stay. Until this winter, men in tights have been confined to the ballet rehearsal room but just as the boys claimed skinny jeans for their own, so too – as said skinny jeans get skinnier and skinnier – have they moved into leggings territory.
American designers have begun to cater for the growing meggings market and the trend is filtering into high street stores in New York and London. Girls have been aware of the comfort and versatility of the humble legging for decades and now boys too can enjoy the benefits. However, they will have to learn, as all ladies have, that not everyone can pull it off!
London Collections: Men S/S 2013
Men’s catwalk fashions have evolved over the decades from fussy to contemporary. Colourful, practical clothing juxtaposed with classic tailoring and interesting textures was highlighted on the spring/summer 2013 runway at London Collections: Men.
Royal blue
HRH The Prince of Wales opened the newly introduced London Collections: Men and acknowledged the UK’s skilled craft of fashion. He also took the opportunity to promote his Campaign for Wool. This three-day event featured over 50 shows complete with designer installations, parties and formal dinners.
Who is who?
Amongst the many designers participating were Paul Bernstock and Thelma Speirs, with millinery as their specialty, and Matthew Millar, an innovative young menswear architect with his own label, who challenges the fashion industry with an engineering approach to his digital print. He achieves this whilst simultaneously conforming to traditional tailoring. Hannah Martin, another Central St Martins graduate, describes her signature look for men’s apparel as having “sculptural elegance and masculine detailing.”
Variety is the spice of life
The colours blue and yellow seem set to herald in the new seasons and appear in all hues. For more conservative gents, the message is not to panic. These tones can be introduced in various subtle ways rather than a full-on display. Yellow pocket squares and ankle socks can lift an outfit and keep the wearer on trend. Jonathan Saunders’ menswear offers a range of superb knitwear that partners perfectly with expertly tailored navy jackets. Floral-print trousers were showcased along with American sportswear of a Lurex knit construction. On a contradictory note, Savile Row suits were worn with polo shirts and T-shirts. Christopher Shannon’s range of accessories included the introduction of satchels and backpacks with fringed detail that are suitable for carrying anything from a skateboard to a laptop.
The British Fashion Council announced that the London Collections: Men would return to centre stage early in 2013, as a result of the success this year.
Read MoreAmerican menswear designer Dana Lee
Dana Lee may be something of a rarity in the fashion industry, as she has only ever designed menswear.
Inspiration
Dana Lee’s motivation for great designs comes from everyday objects such as furniture, the city she lives in (New York), and musings about colour and texture combinations. A great believer in practical, comfortable clothing, she prefers using her friends as mannequins rather than runway models.
True to form
Dana Lee’s intrinsic fashion values, such as respect for the nature of the fabric she works with, demand that she continually strives to produce original and interesting designs without jeopardising her values. She also mentions that in order to really know a man, it is essential to explore his innate sense of humour, honesty and aptitude rather than just his outward appearance. She draws on these qualities when beginning work on a new piece of men’s clothing.
Going global
Dana Lee’s lookbook for the 2012 autumn/winter collection, shot by renowned photographer Jody Rogac, provided fashion aficionados all over the world with a sneak preview of what she was about to unveil. Her main outlets are currently in Canada and the US, but she has plans to expand into the European markets.
Men’s ties
A tie may be defined as an accessory to clothing and is worn around the neck. It has performed decorative and practical functions for centuries.
Past and present
The European country of Croatia professes to lay claim to this garment. Croatian mercenaries in the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) wore the piece of cloth tied to their uniforms. King Louis of France took a liking to this symbol and named it ‘la cravate’ in honour of the Croats who assisted him in the war.
The modern-day necktie dates back to the 19th century and a wide range of styles exist, including the bow tie, ascot tie and bolo tie. The ascot tie took its name from the Royal Ascot annual horseracing event, during which time gentlemen were expected to wear this version with a morning suit. The bolo tie is mostly associated with the American Western cowboy look. It is usually made from braided lengths of leather and fastened with a decorative clasp.
Technique, style and fabric
There are many different tie knots, such as the Windsor, Christensen, seven-fold and four-in-hand, whilst colours and motifs can denote associations, clubs, countries, and much more.
The skinny tie look can be carried over from last season, and this square tip tie in a dark colour would be suited to a contemporary narrow spread collar. Traditional cashmere ties endure the ever-evolving world of fashion, while new on the market for the 2012 winter season are silk jacquard ties by Band of Outsiders’ designer Scott Sternberg. These are a versatile addition to any man’s winter wardrobe.
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