5 Wearable Trends from the Spring '13 Men's Shows

Yes trends like 'floral' and 'super-saturated colour' did surface in the men's shows in Milan and Paris, but let's get real for a second, how many men are going to wear them? So, I took it upon myself (Yes, I'm that important...not.) to pick out catwalk trends that a broad spectrum of men could put to practice and sport on sidewalks. They're not "Oh-So-Editorial!" and definitely not eyebrow raising but if done right they can look damn good. Read on to find out what you need to be wearing, come Spring!

Trend #1 THE BLUE SUIT

The blue suit has been a go-to for traditionalists since, well, the suit was invented but a little modification goes a long way in amping the 'cool' factor on this classic.

From L to R, Top to Bottom: 

Valentino, Bottega Veneta, Bottega Veneta, Prada,

Giorgio Armani, Louis Vuitton, Ermanno Scervino, Valentino,

Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Jil Sander, Burberry Prorsum

From paler tone-on-tone outfits at Bottega Veneta to the darker ones at Vivienne Westwood and Jil Sander, blue suits dominated the runways. The slim double-breasted jacket is still chic and rightfully so! Throw on a pair of tan brogues to look sharp at a business meeting and if you're dressing for casual Friday try white canvas sneakers. Embrace the heat - skip the socks and if you're feeling particularly cheeky, skip the shirt!

Trend #2 KHAKI, KHAKI, KHAKI

You don't need to be leading a squadron or braving the savannah to be sporting Khaki in Spring, it makes for perfectly appropriate yet whimsical work wear. If you want to rough up your look, put on dark suede ankle chukka boots or heavy brogues and for an unconventional approach slip into a pair of jewel hued suede loafers, maybe Tod's?

From L to R, Top to Bottom: 

Balmain, Christian Lacroix, Ermanno Scervino,

Valentino, Balmain, Bottega Veneta

The key piece for the season is the Khaki suit, choose from Balmain's military jacket-crop cuffed pants  version or Bottega Veneta's earthy double-breasted number. For an evening out, a little sheen à-la-Valentino will ensure you turn heads. Pair Khaki pieces with neutrals but on a special occasion put on a pair of coloured pants, it is Spring after all!

Trend #3 ROOMY PANTS

After the barrage of second skin pants that we've seen in the past seasons, this season saw the advent of wider legs which, I'm sure, will come as a breath of fresh air. Up the comfort factor while keeping the style quotient high, what a sweet deal!

From L to R, Top to Bottom:

Jean Paul Gaultier, Marni, Giorgio Armani

Yohji Yamamoto, Etro, Etro

Everything from dhoti pants to baggy jumpsuits were shown but special mention must be given to Etro's flowy pajamas and kurta-blazer looks. The Jean Paul Gaultier jumpsuit is something Chuck Bass would rock although I'm not a fan of the Sikh-esque turbans (In bad taste, no?). And interestingly, the cropped, wide-leg pant at Marni could very well be menswear's answer to culottes.

Trend #4 NORTHBOUND HEMLINES

Cropped pants cropped up again on runways (Pardon the less than dazzling wordplay) as more designers show the cropped pant in a suit. While this may not cut it for most boardrooms, it makes for perfect evening wear. The ubiquity of short shorts sadly means more hours at the gym burning off that muffin you got with your coffee. But remember, anything shorter than boxers should be reserved for Italians. (They can pull off anything)

From L to R, Top to Bottom:

Dolce & Gabbana, Balmain

Ermenegildo Zegna, Ermanno Scervino

Dolce & Gabbana showed shorts in a myriad (I love using that word) of hues and patterns, some were wearable while others were abstract-printed, tiny and tight. Spend your weekends in ankle-baring trousers cut close to the leg like at Ermanno Scervino and Balmain.

Trend #5 PRINTS, PATTERNS & PACKAGING

Prints made a big impact this season and while florals did reign supreme, these patterns caught my eye. Graphic striped pants are an easier way to dip your toes in this trend and "print on print" is a great way to dive in headfirst!

From L to R, Top to Bottom:

Alexander McQueen, Marni, Jean Paul Gaultier

Dolce & Gabbana, Moschino, Moschino

Dolce & Gabbana showed fantastic patterned separates, great for resort wear while Marni's printed pieces, although far and few between, punctuated the collection perfectly. Of course, Moschino's tongue-in-chic faux detergent pack and beer can print drew attention, but fortunately it was all good attention; ideal for a fun night out, I'd say.

So there you have it folks: A summary of what trends to follow next Spring. Which is your favourite? What are you planning to spend your emergency savings on?

All pictures courtesy TheCut and Vogue UK.

Style Icon of the Day: Hamish Bowles

Fuchsia tie. Purple pocket square. Aqua socks.

That is the way to roll.

I'm definitely taking a page out of his book.

The Moment of Truth: Marc Jacobs

So MBFWNY has been over for a while and a sabbatical from college is the reason for my tardiness. So I've been poring over show pictures for a few days and although like any other FW fanboy I loved Schouler and Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs was a show I'm still on the fence about. Jacobs has always been my favourite but some looks this time didn't quite cut it. Trust me I tried loving all of it. but sometimes the mind trumps the heart.

So here we go, the HITS first.

White and Black always works and the textures worked together.

Dot's a helluva nice outfit! Wow I'm lame.

Loving the rubber skirt and the metallic sweater with the shirt and patent leather bag.

Organza FTW! And nude is always awesome.

Loving the blue, loving the maroon and the supercute tights.

And now, LE POO

Starch. Too Much. Stuck. In. Jacket.

Tacky monochrome camouflage.

Ouch.

Being as politically correct as I can I would like to say," Oil spill, much?"

Bad Victorian night-clothes.

Scary poppins.

So you tell me. Did'ya like Marc's show? 

Miuccia Prada's goin' Banananananas?

Prada's Spring 2011 showing at Milan was abso-fucking-lutely legendary. I can't say I love love loved it but it was a helluva show. The banana and monkey prints were genius. Not because they were great prints but because they were the kind of prints that could potentially go very wrong and she made 'em work. I never thought Prada was the kind of house that would do something this out-there. I thought that was the kind of stuff Richie Rich and D-Squared would do. Fine, maybe Marc Jacobs, on a rave would create something to a similar effect but Prada. Uh-uh.

Her take is supposedly baroque which I can totally see but I just love how she's infuses this heady dose of pop art into the print. Even a lot of the other clothes had a neon colour palette and that's never bad. Miss Prada, hats off to ye.

Van Heusen Men's Fashion(?) Week.

I just found out that there was a Men's Fashion Week in Delhi November last year, so I went over to the website to check out the stuff that was showed. I was, to put it politely, dumbstruck at how amateurish and un-retailable the collections were. Even the designers that usually show fantastic stuff were major let-downs.
Below, I've picked out a few significant looks from the collections and basically expressed my personal views on them.

Exhibit A: Rajesh Pratap Singh
He is probably my current favourite Indian designer. His stuff was good with a quite a few exceptions.


That jacket is great and that 'lungi' print scarf is gorgeous. I've had that in my head forever.


I understand showmanship, but this print goes a bit far in my opinion. The shorts silhouette is great and very summer but I'd rather see it in a different colour.


Again, nice separates. I think the tee is nice.


This 'desi' plaid blazer is perfect. It's probably my favourite piece from the entire event.

Exhibit B: Rohit Bal
He has great showmanship and even though his designs can be a little bit out there, you can usually see their toned down versions on racks.


This is my favourite look from the show. That jacket is perfect for a wedding party.


Okay, so what in the world is that? Over-designed to point of CRAZY!


This look I actually like a lot, except for the slightly jarring velvet cuff and collar.


That print is chic, but I don't know if it would sell on a Sherwani, being a little feminine.

Exhibit C: Ravi Bajaj for Men
He usually has great suits and in general well constructed garments. This time was an exception to say the least and his collection looked dated.


This is a trainwreck according to me. Wrinkled poly-blend(?) + gold sheen= (Like Beyonce would say) A disastuh!


I like this silhouette but slouchy velvet is NEVER the way to go. I would have loved the look if it was silk or even mul.


I don't know what this fabric is so I'm a little iffy about it, but points for the cut.


Conceptually, great! End result,meh.

Exhibit D: Siddartha Tyler
I've only ever seen his stuff once before this and I was exceptionally impressed then. I think this collection was mucho ordinary and could have been much better.




Yeah, so about that shirt. I'd just like to say, no. Never.


This look is great though, everything works really well together and as separates. That murse could be roomier though.


That jacket is plain and simple hideous. I can not see it anywhere except maybe Vishal Mega Mart.

Exhibit E: Gaurav Gupta
This man always has a point to bring across and he usually does. This time, though, I think he fell short by a whisker.


Although I do like embellished shoulders on women's apparel, probably not on men's.


This look was finally driving a point home. Men CAN rock sheen and look masculine while they do it. And it's well constructed.


Billowing sleeves should have stayed with Jack Sparrow. Also, that print is too busy although those pants could be interesting.


Although I think those pants are plain creepy, that shirt detail is intriguing.

Exhibit F (phew!): Shantanu and Nikhil
Okay I'm going to end this post with this and the rest will be up tomorrow. Shantanu and Nikhil have consistently delivered classic chic looks for women and I think they forgot this was a men's show and fashion week not the theatre. Their clothes were unbearably costumey and bordered in tacky.


That would make a great gown. I don't think we're ready for man-dresses yet.


Man Dress 2


Man Dress 3


Velvet is SO last decade. On saris. That colour does the sherwani no favours and the matador(?) detail tanked.

So yes. That's all for now. This is solely my opinion on the shows and any offence caused is meant. I don't want to insult some of the clothes, but I've been given no option.