Spring Styles, Now Fall Trends
With the ad campaigns regularly produced by the men’s fashion industry, you’d think all these brands want you to overhaul your wardrobe every season (they do, in a sense). The styles of fall, however, aren’t completely divorced from the aesthetic of spring, despite the difference in the weather. If you were paying attention to what you were wearing last season, you should be pretty on-trend in the coming months.
Chinos
The chino pant is an indispensable style item in the spring, paired with everything from loafers to sandals to Chuck Taylors. While it’s true that the textile is used mainly for warm-weather clothes, major brands like chino connoisseur Dockers have begun to stock varieties that are made to survive fall and winter.
In contrast to the happy and light chinos of spring, fall’s chino trend has manlier bend, bordering on a working man feel. This season, the neutral piece is meant to provide a counterpoint to bold plaids and rugged boots that are themselves mainstays of fall men’s fashion. You have to admit, the more ‘weekend’ feel of chinos makes for a pleasant change from all the denim that tends to dominate the season’s clothes racks.
Despite the fabric being thicker due to the cooler weather that it has to endure, chinos this season should be styled much like they’d be in spring. Bolder patterns, colors and fabrics are a stronger and more pronounced complement to their more demure hues.
Boots
Chukkas and desert boots were in abundance last spring, from Urban Outfitters to the runways of Milan. Like many other items, boots take a tougher, more macho character this fall, as if it’s braced to face a slew of elements.
From the light-soled, dainty boots of spring, switch over to the heavier woodsman-style boots of fall. They could have the black leather and hardware of the biker, the lugs and laces of the worker, or the streamlined exterior of the dressed up (but down and dirty) man. The uniting element is chunkier styling and a thicker, more businesslike sole that’s appropriate for the chill and frost.
Although it’s the easiest thing to hide boots under generous trousers or boot cut jeans, the best way to wear them is with a tapered pant that lets you tuck in the hem and really show off the boot. These boots were made for stomping – and displaying.
Bright
Spring is often described as a season of more flamboyant style, men not excluded. Despite the usual practice of fall turning out more somber and sober fashion, this season promises a continuation of the happier and more colorful clothes that have peppered the last few months.
Basic pieces get an upgrade this season in shades like aquamarine, mandarin and yellow-orange for eye-catching outfits, even under the dreariest conditions. If such items won’t be taken too kindly at work, you could go for something subtler with a plaid wool tie. A slimmer and more modern fit keeps this novel necktie dressy and understated, especially paired with a gray or tweed blazer and a simple shirt.
Men’s fashion is no great reinvention, but rather a continuous innovation of existing styles between seasons. While it can be argued that all of these items are styles that will only work under a trend, they can be just as timeless as anything. As long as you keep a classic element to each one – a great fit on the pants, or good material on the necktie – each garment will last well beyond this season.
Other Suggested Readings:
Mens Fall Business Fashion 2011
Sweater Styles for Men
Your TieKing Team