Colours

In contrast to the muted browns and blacks we often see in collections for men, 2012 is likely to see bigger and brighter colours such as mustard, greens and blues featuring heavily.  An example is Bottega Veneta’s winter 2011 collection which includes a number of coloured items such as mustard-yellow tops and green trousers.

Double-breasted Jackets and Blazers

Having fallen out of fashion in the last decade, double-breasted jackets and blazers are on their way back, albeit in a slightly different way for the new season.  Many of 2012’s double-breasted offerings are looser than those of old, and more likely to see you through a relaxed summer, coming in lighter colours and fabrics than is traditional.

A Move Away From Skinny

Every man not comfortable in drainpipe mens trousers can now breathe a sigh of relief, as many collections, including Lanvin’s autumn offering, showcased more straight and wide trousers than have been seen for some time.

Men’s Fashion in 2012

This year jeans are high up on the fashion list too, with special attention given to style, fit and colour. It’s time to move on from blue denim and not black or grey denims, no its time to make a statement.

Starting off with this season most coveted denim colour is ‘rust’, as seen popularised by Levi’s Made and Crafted as well as Diesel. I find it has a very retro feel, sandblasted cowboys come to mind. I’d look at adding this to your wardrobe now as it’s the perfect transition colour from winter to spring, before the brighter bolder colours of summer come in.

Moving on from rust to earth tones and a soft start to spring with shades of grey, sand, even light blue can add a bit of easy colour to your wardrobe. One of my favourites is the chambray denims which have taken over jeans, a light chic blue which is a much better option to ‘bleached’ look jeans.

As you make it on to summer the colours start to get brighter and brighter, like a warm front moving in colours will dominate fashion. Men and women will enjoy brighter shades of denim as we head in to a 90’s acid remix somewhat. Bright blues, oranges, reds and greens with a distressed edge will keep it apart from some of the women’s trends and I feel have a more relaxed surfer/California look to them.

Finally what shape to opt for this season? Last year we saw the resurgence of flared and boot cut styles and this year we seem to be going back to more traditional cuts, with athletic fits and straight cut. Think you good old trusted pair of 501’s faded and worn, this is what’s in know so if they still fit you, you should be fine.

Wearing Trousers Incorrectly

One of the most common fashion mistakes is to wear trousers incorrectly.  Some people wear their trousers lower or higher to fit into a certain social group.  Wearing trousers above or below the proper waistline can cause fabric to be in places it shouldn’t be, causing your groin region and bum to look very out of shape.

Wearing Trousers Correctly

Trousers should always be worn at the waist, give or take a few centimetres.  If you find a pair of trousers that fits in every other way but are slightly too loose at the waist, a belt or set of braces could help you.  The fit of trousers can vary depending on the brand, material, cut and wash so it is important to try before you buy.

You should always take your build into account when thinking about what trousers to wear.  If you have a large frame, a skinny cut may expose your figure a little more than you’d like, and if you have a smaller frame, baggy jeans may look slightly odd.

When buying trousers it’s recommended that you take your measurements prior to entering a shop, that way you will be able to figure out the best possible sizes in every dimension before you start looking.  Remember the more you know about what you want, the better your chances of finding well fitting trousers.

Overnight bags and holdalls come in all colours, shapes and sizes.  For business trips, choose a bag in a neutral colour that will complement the fabric of a suit or overcoat.  For trips of several days, a quality trolley bag may be ideal.  For overnight stays, a duffle style will be more suitable.

For stylish weekends away, look for a bag with a striking design, such as the Fred Perry overnight bag.  Ensure that the bag is the right size for the type of travel required; for example, will it need to fit easily into the overhead locker of an aircraft?  Also consider its capacity and whether it will hold everything that it needs to.

Toiletries and medications need not be stuffed into an inside pocket of the bag; invest instead in a quality wash bag.  For a little extra luxury in the hotel bathroom, look at collections by famous brands including Mulberry.  For more affordable alternatives, the department store is the best place to check out the various ranges on offer.

Travelling in style

For his spring/summer 2012 collection, Galliano enlisted the services of Bill Gaytten, who was handed the unprecedented role of creative director for the John Galliano label after 23 years as Galliano’s right hand man.  Gaytten’s evening wear was far from casual, with black ties, tighter-than-tight black satin trousers, and matador/military jackets featuring ornate details combined with intricate stitching.  Models mimicked the extravagant designer to a tee, sporting flamboyant hats in bright colours, adorning eye-catching ribbons and feathers.  Drop-crotch trousers, layered checked and striped tailoring, and military jackets evoked a dramatic yet carefully conceived and highly wearable menswear collection.  While several major UK stores no longer stock the label, the collection is likely to greet its ever-growing market in Russia, the Middle East and Asia.

While Gaytten’s role has been likened to that of Sarah Burton for Alexandra McQueen, given the success of re-hashing previous Galliano looks in his catwalk shows, it is hard to believe that Gaytten would fail in his ambition to keep the Galliano label alive.  Expect Gaytten to find the courage to further build on Galliano’s signature looks and use them as a basis for creating fresh, future collections.

These types of collars work well over Republic shirts whether for daywear such as a shawl collar cardigan and jumper over a plaid or check shirt or for evening wear with a shawl collar suit jacket over a crisp white shirt. Looking at the shawl collar jacket suit, it doesn’t have to be just for evening wear, blazers can be dressed up or down and with a shawl collar it offers you more of a unique look, plus you don’t have to go with traditional colours either. Grey, brown and navy will make a nice change from black and don’t worry about going for a white shirt, look towards some of this seasons other mens fashion trends and opt for a patterned shirt such as a floral design.

Shawl collar jumpers and cardigans are great for winter wear, opting for a nice thick wool style will keep you nice and warm and on top or a shirt or granddad style top will negate the need for a coat. There is a selection below which will see you through winter to spring.

Shawl collar knitwear

Red is back with a vengeance this season with red and black stripes throughout Dolce and Gabbana’s Autumn/Winter men’s collection while Calvin Klein chose to contrast red with its self by pairing a matching bright red shirt and pant with a dark red jacket.  Calvin Klein continues its contrasting theme by pairing matching a bright blue slim pant and tie with a shirt, vest and coat in a cool grey.  By repeating the bright coloured accents, the pops of colour keep from looking out of place while still making a big impact. Even simply teaming a bright shirt with dark blue or black Voi jeans will have an impact and brighten up a more casual look.

Giorgio Armani also made bright blue a part of his collection but instead of creating a contrast, Armani went for a head to toe look with a matching bright blue three piece suit.  Hugo Boss also employs the head to toe look but instead of making an impact with colour, his three piece grey suit turns heads with its luxurious velvet jacket that begs to be touched.

Lyle & Scott offer a range of product lines, with the Heritage collection being a particular standout.  The range finds a perfect balance between smart and casual clothing; each item is adorned with the brand’s famous Red Eagle logo and a new, sophisticated Lyle & Scott Monogram.  The collection offers polo shirts, jackets, t-shirts, cardigans, jumpers and sweaters, all finished with the intricate signature Lyle & Scott details that define them from their competitors.  The Heritage range can be described as both timeless and modern, yet it remains a practical solution if you do not wish to compromise on standard.

Here are some key pieces from the Lyle & Scott Heritage Winter 2011 collection:

Lyle & Scott Heritage Pea Coat

The Lyle & Scott Heritage pea coat has evolved from the British Navy’s reefer jacket.  Constructed from Melton wool and featuring simple military-style detailing, a broad lapel and collar, double-breasted opening and two large front pockets, this time-honoured classic grants you the freedom to create a sleek, structured look in even the coldest of weather.

Lyle & Scott Heritage Cable Knit Sweater

The Lyle and Scott Heritage cable knit crew neck sweater is made from a desirable heavyweight wool and silk blend.  Featuring Aran-inspired cabling, chunky ribbing to the neck, cuffs and hem, and proudly adorning the Red Eagle on the left chest, this knit sweater is perfect for keeping warm in winter.

Lyle & Scott Heritage Block Stripe Polo Top

The Heritage block stripe polo shirt features contrast detailing and the unmistakeable Red Eagle logo on the left chest.  Yarn dyed to create clean-cut stripes, this polo top offers superior softness, shape and colour retention.  Great for weekend wear.

Lyle & Scott Heritage Winter 2011

Bright colours are a great way to add some versatility to your wardrobe; you can make what would be a boring everyday wardrobe into something more interesting by adding a simple bold jumper. Look for a striking red, mustard yellow, green even navy and you will find there is plenty to make a change in your style.

Bold colours are easier to wear than you think, so if you can feel yourself shying away from this trend, don’t, follow our simple guide and even a wallflower can feel comfortable in bright colours.
Layering works really well, add a bright jumper under a suit jacket or blazer or add a bright cardigan onto of a plain shirt or t-shirt in a neutral colour.

Add accents to your outfit with a pair of colour co-ordinating trainers or shoes.
Don’t be afraid to mix up the colours so when accessorising look for a bright knit hat or scarf.

Bold colours and bright knitwear

Popular all across Europe for over a decade, clothing brand Franklin and Marshall have been creating college styles since 1999. Founded by two entrepreneurs the company is known for its vintage college look that is mostly seen in American universities. Inspiration for the brand came from the US Franklin & Marshall College which is one of the oldest in the USA, when the designers came across an old campus t-shirt.

The brands inspiration now still comes from those values, their latest Autumn-Winter 2011 takes place where the city ends and nature begins, beyond that undefined border that separates Downstate New York from Upstate New York. Offering the perfect selection of everyday casualwear with a tailored finish, so clothing can be dressed up or down depending on where you are!

If you want to feel the cool American college look which gives you a vintage edge then check out the offerings from Designerwear who are one of the UK stockists of this fashion forward brand.

Franklin and Marshall