Mens Fashion Icons: Kanye West

Music, men's fashion, business. There are few fields that Kanye West hasn't dabbled into, yet all his ventures end up doing better than the last one. A regular at fashion and music events all over the United States, West is well-known for his keen eye for luxury and a bold taste in clothes that's challenging for even the most stylish of men.

His Fashion Philosophy
West listens less to the rules and more to his own instincts on style to tell him how stuff should be worn. If something looks good on him, chances are that he'll end up wearing it to a red carpet event or three. Like many of today's most fashionable males, West believes that any piece of clothing should first and foremost be comfortable. Unless it feels good on him, it's unlikely that he'll wear even the trendiest jeans.

Boldness is one of the Kanye West signatures when it comes to men's fashion. His own style is distinct with his generous use of big, bright colors to amp up even the shyest and most conservative of outfits. The resulting look is neither hip-hop nor Saks Fifth Avenue, but rather a modern elegance that has more than a little bit of in-your-face attitude.

Sneak a peek at one of his latest collaborations, a design effort with fashion megalith Louis Vuitton. West came on board and designed a whole new line of shoes for the mega-brand's men's fashion arm, and the whole set stomped the runways at Paris Fashion Week in January 2009. The line carries his signature style and boldness, as well as a fondness for bright color that dares to stick it to the 'accepted' rules of dress.

Copping the Look
Get comfortable with color. Bright color is a central theme in the Kanye West dress code, and you can't fully get his look without it. But that doesn't mean you should wear Day-Glo shades just for the heck of it; you should look good in it too. By all means make extensive use of the store's mirrors and fitting rooms. Chances are good that just one or two colors will look really good when worn on your skin.

Even with his fondness for color, though, West never looks like a neon billboard on two legs. Avoid wearing more than a single bright color throughout your entire outfit, and keep it to just accessories, the accent pieces or a single key item. Sometimes it takes very little to make the boldest statements, and West knows that.

Invest in jackets, jeans and pants. Not one to be seen often in suits, West seems to prefer stepping out in a jacket and jeans ensemble instead. But the combo doesn't have to look scruffy. Even when he's skipping the suit and tie, West buys quality brands and pays to get the tailored fit so that he's always looking sharp. Do the same.

Always trust your mirror. Check yourself in a full-length mirror before stepping out. If something seems uncomfortable or amiss, change; there's probably something really wrong with the outfit. It's what the real Kanye would probably do.