Menswear: it’s all in the accessories

Spring is not far away, but in Europe it’s still winter. So we still stay close to the wintertrends – just in case you’re looking for a hat, boots or bag.

 Boots

Karl Lagerfeld is wearing them for years and will probably never take them off: his black heeled boots. And he’s absolutely right, because this fashionable footwear is everything a man needs this winter.

While women are already hooked for years, finally our men seem to be down for this timeless and ultra comfy footwear. Even the trouser- in- shoe- style seems to be accepted right now. While boots used to be worn by the rebels and mavericks, they now veered into high fashion territory. Labels like Burberry, Alexander McQueen, Kris van Assche, Bottega Veneta and Ann DeMeulemeester showed us masculine and sturdy boots. And also on the streets we find many men walking in them.

Most popular this season is for sure the combat boot, based on the actual military boot worn by soldiers. We saw them already last year, mainly because of the huge military trend, but this time the designers gave a little twist to it. They played with different colors and textures and combined brogues, sporty and grunge elements into one. Not convinced yet? Just take a look at these men…

Classic hats

They used to be the ultimate style element for a man in the twenties en thirties and for some men it still is: the classic hat. After the huge popularity in the early Nineteenth Century – think American entertainers like Humphrey Bogart and Frank Sinatra – this iconic item sadly enough disappeared for years because it became an item that was more for the older and conservative man.

But in the Nineties it was pop icon Michael Jackson that made this phenomenon incredibly popular again. Flipping his head while doing the moonwalk. And many stars followed his lead later on, like Justin Timberlake and Black Eye Peace front singer Will.i.am. They showed that a hat is something that everyone man could en should wear on every age, and not only in a classic way.

And that’s exactly what the designers showed us too this season. While still most popular worn with a suit, a hat can be worn with almost everything and in every style. From fedora chic to Mafioso cool. Preferably right on the head and a little bit over the eyes. Take a look at the photos to see which style will suit you well…

Bags

Bags, you can’t have enough of them, at least if we ask most women. But for men it has always been a little bit different. Why carrying a bag all day when you can put your stuff in your pocket? But it seems that they’ve changed their minds. For the last few years we’ve seen more and more men walking with a so-called man bag. And not just a bag, but a real it- bag that fits perfectly with their outfit. Even a clutch is no longer a no go area. Thanks to male celebs and style icons like Pharrell Williams, Kanye West and David Beckham, showing off their Louis Vuitton and Prada purses, men seem to no longer be ashamed to be spotted with a man bag.

And this is not only noticeable in the streets but the catwalks are also full of it. Man bags are coming in a wider range of size, type, color and material. They’re masculine, aesthetic and perfect to finish off your outfit for any occasion. Like the Bottega Veneta super size casual chic purses or the structured clutches from Louis Vuitton to smarten up your look. So do not longer be afraid to get in touch with your feminine side, because the man bag is slowly becoming a real wardrobe essential.

Eva Dusch

Wintertrend 2011 for her: Lace Up

Probably one of the most remarkable trends in fashion this year was the dominatrix trend. We saw shiny leather pieces, hand cuff bags, corsages, transparent fabrics and…   lots of ultra high lace- up boots. Remember Kate Moss closing down the Louis Vuitton show walking in those stunning boots? And she was not the only one.

We already saw a few occasionally last winter, but this season this provocative footgear is making a huge comeback. They’ve been spotted on almost every catwalk, from Paris to Milan and New York. Just to name a few designers: Yves Saint Laurent, Oscar de la Renta, Diesel, Dior, D&G, Balmain and Versace. Whether sky high, up to the knee or ankle height, those tied- up boots are a real must have this winter. Just embrace your inner vixen and show ‘em what you got!

 

Trend Report: Animal Inspired Shoes

Animal prints have been very popular in fashion for ages now. For this winter there were less animal prints on the clothes, yet looking at the shoes, it was one big designer jungle.

Blumarine opted for zebra prints, Blugirl for leopard and snake prints. Also Emporio Armani, Rochas and Etro gave their shoes a leopard look. Vivienne Westwood did so too, yet showed her leopard print in red.

Dries van Noten presented some croco leather and at Dsquared designers Dean and Dan used pieces of skeletons as heels for their shoes.

Of course Roberto Cavalli, king of the animal prints, exceeded everyone by using leopard, giraffe snake and tiger prints for his heels and boots.

Which print are you gonna be strutting the streets in?