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

Party prep: black&white

They were Coco Chanels favorite colors and make an iconic pair in fashion: black and white. With December coming up, these two make a perfect combination for a festive outfit. Don’t know yet what to wear during Christmas? The designers can offer you enough of inspiration. From Dolce&Gabannas star print gowns to Miu Mius forties dresses. Or play with masculine/feminine elements wearing a beautiful tuxedo like we’ve seen at Stella McCartney and Yves Saint Laurent. Not to mention the amount of exciting black and white combinations seen at Louis Vuitton.
(Eva Dusch)

Wintertrend 2011 for him: eye-popping color

The two most common colors used in the winter collections are presumably black and grey. When it’s cold and the days are getting shorter, people tend to wear lots of dark colors.

But for this winter the designers seemed to want something else, more bright and shiny. Like we’ve seen at Acne, Burberry, Raf Simons, Yves Saint Laurent, Jil Sander, Calvin Klein and Kenzo. They used different lustrous colors to pep up their collections. The most simple basics appeared in different shades of red, orange, yellow, blue and purple. Most of them being used as a playful detail in an overall dark and gloomy ensemble, which is a perfect way to spice up your outfit. Just take a look at these cheerful looks for some inspiration…

(Eva Dusch)

Wintertrend 2011 for him: the turtleneck

With the winter approaching us, there’s one item that every man should have in his closet: a turtleneck. This basic item definitely keeps you warm, but still has a corny image to most people.

This season the designers showed us that this classic piece can look cool, by giving it an exciting twist, like using bright colors and prints or mixing different fabrics and textures. For instance British designer John Richmond, who let his models walk down the runway in a roll-neck revised with small fur and leather patches. And Dior gave it a cool and masculine touch, combining it with loose pants and an oversized blazer.  All these different looks emphasize the good thing about the turtleneck: you can wear it in many ways.

(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!

 

Streetfashion Toronto fashion Week FW2011 Day 3 & 4

What are you wearing during the coming fashionweeks? Your Prada-shoes, your latest Jil Sander-dress or that vintage Yves St. Laurent? Maybe we’ll spot you in Paris, Milan, New York or Amsterdam. During the fashionweeks we refresh our streetwear posts regularly. We don’t judge, we’re not the fashion-police, we just enjoy fashion and your own personal style. Next stop: Toronto Fashion Week.

Streetfashion Toronto Fashion Week FW2011 Day 3

What are you wearing during the coming fashionweeks? Your Prada-shoes, your latest Jil Sander-dress or that vintage Yves St. Laurent? Maybe we’ll spot you in Paris, Milan, New York or Amsterdam. During the fashionweeks we refresh our streetwear posts regularly. We don’t judge, we’re not the fashion-police, we just enjoy fashion and your own personal style. Next stop: Toronto Fashion Week.

Streetfashion Toronto Fashion Week FW2011 Day 2

What are you wearing during the coming fashionweeks? Your Prada-shoes, your latest Jil Sander-dress or that vintage Yves St. Laurent? Maybe we’ll spot you in Paris, Milan, New York or Amsterdam. During the fashionweeks we refresh our streetwear posts regularly. We don’t judge, we’re not the fashion-police, we just enjoy fashion and your own personal style. Next stop: Toronto Fashion Week.

Streetfashion Toronto Fashion Week FW2011 Day 1

TPS-member Jon Loek went back to his home-country  to catch some atmosphere at LG Toronto Fashion Week. It’s cold, but that doesn’t stop people dressing up! So we really want to know what you are wearing during the coming fashionweeks. Your Prada-shoes, your latest Jil Sander-dress or that vintage Yves St. Laurent?  We don’t judge, we’re not the fashion-police, we just enjoy fashion and your own personal style. Next stop: Toronto Fashion Week.

Round Up Paris FW2011

There was nothing girly on the catwalks in Paris during the fall 2011-presentations. In fact, it was a very mature look: elegant, dressed-up and in control. Collections that moved from 30’s to 60’s. Strict tailoring created sober and understated silhouettes and the bold sculpturing reminded us more then once of former Balenciaga collections. Apart from these ‘heritage collections’ with their disciplined sobriety there was sheer doom and gloom. As if Paris sensed darker emotions this season compared to New York, Milan and London. We were delighted to meet sudden touches of glam, an unexpected hint of glitter, adventurous flashes of plastic and a single humorous touch.

GEOMETRIC

Lot’s of graphic, androgynous suiting plus black and white blocking. YSL fused rigorous elegance to masculine flair.

HAUTE BOURGEOIS

Prim suits and proper coordinates. Miu Miu more elegant then ever which confirmed the trend for a more grown up and dressed up look.

SOBRIETY: Minimalism to be continued. Precious sober looks, precise, careful and well balanced.

MINIMALISM

At Celine – where sobriety was conceived, there was this constant feel for minimalism: understated sensible shapes that made her simple fur coats look extravagant. She signs for another season of flawless and streamlined urban uniform dressing.

MODERN GLAM

The look that inspired us most. Where doom and gloom, from grunge to Goth, proved itself as a genuine Paris catwalk trend, Haider Ackerman turned it into a feasible and desirable inspiration. Glamorous in precious jewel shades, wrapped and draped generously in fluid silks.

Stylespot is a collaboration with Stijlinstituut Amsterdam.

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