Monday, September 5, 2011

Fall 2011 Trends/Must Haves

     YES YES YES, one of my absolute favorite seasons, Fall, aka the "January of fashion," is upon us and I've scoured the worldwide web as well as every men's fashion magazine currently on the shelves at Barnes & Noble taking notes on the most prominent style trends and I'm ready to lay it all out for my fellas!  The trick with fall fashion is using bold textures, unique details and eye-catching accessories to convey your style story without your wardrobe appearing excessively bulky as would be more appropriate for the winter.  In watching this season's runway shows I've noticed the overall story behind this season's trend is "Man on a voyage" which entails looks that encompass the many facets of men on the move.  Such looks illustrate the hiker, the music lover/performer, the elegant world-traveler, etc. bringing to life diverse and timeless looks which I can see living on well after 2011.  The one thing that caught my attention was COLOR!  Color is definately here to stay so if you were intending to pack your closet with only gray, black and brown, I suggest you take a breather for a moment and allow yourself to think outside the box of typical fall color pallets and allow a few drops of the remaining summer sun to bring life to your wardrobe.  Let's get to it...


Double-breasted coats & blazers: for years I've had an aversion to anything double-breasted
because it would give me flashbacks of the bulky, shapeless pieces with excessive fabric I wore as a young boy in the early 90s.  But designers have tweaked this particular style which, in the end, renders a nicely tailored and streamlined silhouette.





Leather driving gloves: they'll add edge to any look and are a funky
alternative to traditional leather gloves





Shiny suit: Not only is color sticking around for fall, but so is smoothness and sheen. 
Just don't mix the two because then you'll risk looking like a backup dancer in a Prince music video. Stick with a suit with a slight sheen in darker tones such as brown, navy and charcoal gray as this will add balance to such a boldly textured piece, and opt for an Italian cut (structured cut with more defined shoulders) to keep it from looking cheap.






Aviator Jacket: all things aviator have become welcome additions to my wardrobe, why?  They're well-fitting, timeless items with interesting details (epaulets, anyone?) that create a masculine look.  This type of a jacket features leather, which will keep you warm, and you'll often find it made with a detachable faux-fur/cotton collar making it versatile as the season transitions to winter.  Overall this jacket will give you a great silhouette while keeping you looking laid-back.






Native American-inspired prints/accessories: this is where bold colors make their mark for fall!  These tribal prints will, no noubt, add a unique twist to your look while the rich earth tones keep it appropriate for the season.  Think cardigans with burnt orange stripes and scarves that feature intricate tapestry designs, basically there's no room for boring!  Keep your look anchored by pairing patterned pieces with items in solid/neutral tones (too many patterns & colors in one outfit will cause people to think you're preparing to perform a rain dance).




The Fedora: American men are far behind the style curve in comparison to European men.  When we, American men, think of hats we think of skullies and anything else made of wool that we can ball up and stick in our pocket once we take them off.  It's time that we segue into more mature headwear and this is where the fedora comes in.  Its sleek, defined brim and angular crown immediately give you an air of elegance minus the pretentiousness.  And don't forget to tilt it to one side slightly, no need to take yourself so seriously.





Jodhpur Boots: the name "jodhpur" was originally used to describe a type of trouser worn for
horseback riding but was later used as a slang term for the type of boot typically worn with these trousers.  These boots, which are typically slip-ons, rise just above the ankle with a pointed toe and smooth, embellishment-free finish which make them rather versatile.  They can be worn with dress pants or with skinny khakis or jeans for a more casual, 1960s rocker-inspired look.







Oversized leather bag: we have our laptop, blackberry, office documents, lotion/hand sanitizer, comb/brush and spare oxford shirt (for those days where we're expecting to experience heavy perspiration due to that approaching project deadline).  A tiny one-pocket messenger bag can no longer accomodate the cargo of the modern gentleman therefore a larger leather bag fits the bill much better.  Sizes range from medium to large making it easy to get the extra space while sticking to your own individual style.  Not only are these bags more durable and provide more carrying space, they can also double as a carry-on for those overnight and weekend trips.     






Keep it Stylish, keep it Sexy and always keep it true to YOU! -UrbanGent


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