Like the color of the leaves and the temperature outside, men's fashion changes with the seasons. And like countless seasons before this one, the world of masculine fashion mimicked the footsteps of ladies' wear. Take a look at what's been hot and burning up the men's fashion runways for Spring 2009.
Rise of the Recessionista
Who knew that artistic expression would be affected so much by a nosediving economy? Now that companies are paring themselves down left, right and center, it seems as if the fashion designers have been following suit with cutbacks of their own.
A few months ago, relaxed and slouchy was the name of the game in Fall 2008. Pants were comfortably loose and swished as you walked. Tees did a Bohemian droop, and shirts were embellished all over. All that was replaced by a very severe aesthetic made of well-tailored pleated pants, tight-fitting tops and blazers with their lapels reduced to almost nothing.
Bring out all your tailored pieces this season; you'll need them to achieve this look. From your torso-hugging shirt to that skinny bar-of-cloth tie, it's all minimalist at this point. One key look this season is the shorter-than-usual pant showing a bit of ankle a la Thom Browne. Worn with shiny shoes sans socks, it's a bold but timely fashion statement.
Deconstructed Dandy
If, on the other hand, you like your clothes loose and relaxed, you could opt to go with this other trend instead. With most of the requisite items hanging slightly off the body, it's the perfect one to go with a day of lounging around in the park or hanging in the Village.
Quirky, offbeat pieces are the key to this kind of look. That red plaid shirt with the folded sleeves, the loose navy blazer with the single brass button and that ribbed cardigan you've been hiding can all go toward constructing this look ,albeit not all together, of course. Using 'safe' colors that contrast like navy and khaki apparently work well for this trend.
One item you'll probably want to get now is a contrast collar shirt. Usually done in light blue or red (pinstripes optional), this kind of shirt gets a shot of casual cool with an all-white collar and sleeves. Whether you fold up the sleeves or wear it the conventional way, this shirt is great for looking artistic and sophisticated in the same breath.
A Taste of Americana
July 4 isn't the only time of the year when you can bring out the red, white and blue. One of the recurring trends making a big comeback right now is Americana, and even big designers from the other side of the Atlantic are getting in on the act.
Do you remember the preppy look with its light-colored pants and pastel polos? Doing the Americana 2009 trend is very similar, only swap out the polo for a nice contrast collar shirt and a dark silk necktie. Finish off the look with a coat or jacket in a slightly darker shade than your pants.
Younger guys may want to try a less office attire take on this trend. Start with a simple body-hugging shirt and then pair with a bold skinny necktie. Finish it off with close-fitted neutral pants and a (preferably patent) bomber jacket. It goes without saying that touches of red or blue like a scarlet jacket will help get your message across.
Just because you want to follow the current trends doesn't mean that you have to invest in single-season pieces. If you want your clothes to last for years, pick out simple colors and near-classic cuts so that you'll still be able to wear them several seasons down the road.
