MENSWEAR TREND ss2016: Vintage Americana

‘Cuba Quiero bailar la salsa. Cuba Quiero bailar la salsa.’ When seeing this trend, all we want to do is sing and sway to the Gibson Brothers song. Bring in the summer, pretty please! Latin America is becoming popular every year, not only when it comes to traveling (it’s on our wish list for sure!), but now also in fashion.

The cuban collar shirt never seems to fade away from the mens wardrobe and isn’t a newcomer. It’s probably something that your grandfather wore in the 1950s, the time the shirt made its big debut on the fashion stage. It’s the perfect light and breezy element in every men’s summer wardrobe, making it a gentleman’s must-have. Like a hot summer night in vice city. It oozes old-school charm and class. What sets them apart from the rest? They have an open, lapel-like collar, short-sleeved, buttoned down and have a straight cut hem. The collections from Louis Vuitton, Dries Van Noten and Raf Simons all showed Cuban-collar shirts, executed with geometric prints or summery pastels. Yes, you can go terribly (but really terribly) wrong with this one (think Hawaiian or retro bowling style or Tony Montana in Scarface), but combined with baggy trousers (huge trend!), neckerchiefs (yep, trend!) and a pair of chinos and you’re done. This is a first for you? Maybe it’s best to opt for a slim-fitting version rather than a traditional boxy cuts to start of with. Consider rolling your shirtsleeves for an added touch of 50s nostalgia. Though, the main decision you have to make is will you wear the collar under or over your lapels. The designers will help you decide how to integrate a touch of vintage 1950s style to your warm-weather look.