Mens Spring 2010 Trend Report

The everyday wear for the male consumer is rather basic and not much to follow on. Take note guys! On the Spring 2010 runways, basics receive an amazing tune up with blazers taking on a sleeker, fitted, and printed look. Scoop neck and v-neck t shirts were given extra dimension with dip dyed versions showing various amounts of color and some revealing a bit of sheerness that was observed on the women’s RTW 2010 spring runways. Denim is ripped, tattered, destroyed, cuffed, and cropped at the ankle making quite a statement with denim button downs and jackets as seen in Junya Watanabe’s Spring 2010 collection. For the guys never really intrigued by the skinny jean effect, but still wanting a fitted look can opt for the straight leg/fitted jean. It is a great alternative to the ultra skinny look or the loose, baggy jean. Monochrome looks are appearing, however, not in the usual black. In substitute, designers like Tommy Hilfiger and Paul Smith are utilizing white from head to toe. To break up the monotony of an all white look, add a dose of color to the outfit to give an outstanding look that is sure to turn heads like a black skinny tie, or shoes that are sure to give your outfit a bang. Here is a closer look at some of the spring/summer trends for men in 2010:

Heaps of Color!

Designers really took the initiative this season with pops of brilliant color in head to toe looks. Massimiliano Giornetti at Salvatore Ferragamo remained classic and masculine using a bright punchy red paired with subtle neutrals such as tan, brown, and black. Calvin Klein sought out strong, bold silhouettes of a futuristic feel with electric blue suits (reminiscent of the Dick Tracy comic), all black, and sheer grey looks. Alber Elbaz for Lanvin opted for a French aesthete with a thing for sneakers, complimenting the urban athlete trend composed of day suits in green, cobalt blue, and dusty red. Paul Helbers showed street sign yellow in polos, leggings, blazers, and shoes, saturating models from head to toe.

Put the pink away and exchange it with baby blue. The light colored hue was seen far and wide on the spring 2010 runways in collections by Hugo by Hugo Boss with cropped, tailored pants and sheer button downs whereas Duckie Brown revealed some leg in guys wearing short shorts ( a trend that is not simply with the ladies) basing his concept with “exposure and vulnerability”. For the guy not so content with color, neutrals are still finding their way in 2010 spring shows. White, khaki, tan, and black were widely used in shows by Ann Demeulemeester, Dior Homme, and Kris Van Assche. So remember to not be afraid to broaden your horizons involving the fashion, or better yet items in your closet. Keep it simple but unique!

Cuffed Up/ Roll Up Pants

 Pants and denim have not only taken on special effects, but they have now gained another exciting aspect….the cuff. Loose rolls and a cropped ankle have taken charge of bottoms and consequently dominating the runway in the mens show. The thought of rolling or cuffing your pants may not seem ideal, but takes on a distinctive and appealing style. Not to worry, you can still roll the pants back down if needed based on activity or other obligations whilst one or two inches is plenty of height above the ankle. We observed this trend come from slim fitted to loose and from denim to slacks from the likes of designers Alexander McQueen and Band of Outsiders. Junya Watanabe styled their destroyed, cuff denim with plaid, fitted blazers, solid and plaid button downs accompanying the print on print trend hitting hard this season. Cuffed jeans varied from medium light to dark hues with an overall impression of a casual 30’s/40's daytime look.

Leggings

Yes, indeed, leggings for men have appeared on the runway. The concept of this trend is for layering and “the new active man”. For example, Louis Vuitton presented a bike messenger theme placing leggings under shorts and cuffed them with a slouch initiating a “cropped long john.” Ricardo Tisci for Givenchy first showcased leggings for men two years ago. This season he undoubtedly produced bold black and white components with additional print on print fantasy while Cheap Monday pushed for modern and young with grunge tears and acid washes. Now obviously, this trend is only for the innovative whereas most men will more than likely withdraw from the idea of incorporating such an item into their wardrobe.

Fitted Blazers

Get your staple item for the spring. My suggestion is the fitted blazer, the most versatile of them all. Depending on the style and how it is worn gives you different options to pull from whether the occasion is casual, formal, for work or for play. Ralph Lauren took on the style of masculine chic with a form fitting, double breasted blazer with epaulet shoulders that sits at the waist presenting an appealing masculinity in this wonderful item. Marc Jacobs opted for apparent print with a plaid blazer, and Emporio Armani showed a small polka dotted red and black sport coat seeming subtle in far distance.

Notable Accessories

Two major accessories for men left everyone on a great note after fashion week, the knit hat and wide leather belt. Band of Outsiders shown their knit caps in brighter colors making it great to accessorize with neutral outfits which I am sure is not too hard considering all the monochromatic looks shown this spring. “Fashion over function” is what wide leather belts are proposing for today’s men in fashion. Belts are providing not only a function in enabling pants to stay on the waist, but to provide a look in fashion just as we women have. Ann Demeulemeester showed the public this with an edgy and unfeminine look with belts in jeans. Contrary to the norms of mens fashin, it was perceived as different and fresh. To create such a look, fitted pants will do the trick in incorporating the belt into jeans.

*Other minor trending fashions for men is the leather jacket, color blocking, dip dyed fabrics, and layered, sheer shirts. Convey some color into your closet and start a trendy new look whether it be a fitted printed blazer or vivid pops of color against a nude undertone. It’s all in how you style and make it you!