It has been a while since I've written or thought about fashion. There could be several reasons for this: 1) Winter break just finished and I was busy relaxing, 2) Nothing interesting has happened in the fashion world or 3) I've been utterly uninspired by what I've seen lately in the fashion world.
If I recall one particularly alcohol-fueled conversation I had with a News-Letter editor, I picked reason number three for my recent lack of writing. Maybe it's the economic recession (or depression?), or the booming snowfall and bitter cold (in Toronto at least), but I find that the fashion world has been taking it easy lately. I don't blame them either; it's impressive that designers still have the money to produce their work and a miracle that consumers still buy them.
I may even be a little upset because I couldn't come away with any particular clothing-buys that I could be proud of when I was home for Christmas. Whatever the reason I have for my fashion discontent, I only hope they are not rooted in some deep part of my psyche. And with that, I set out to find something with which to inspire myself.
What better inspiration does one need than the thought of soon-to-come warm weather and the blossoming of a thousand splendid flowers? Yes, Spring 2009 fashion trends and styles are surfacing underneath the ice that we students keep falling on. The emerging trends this year, at least in men's fashion, are for the most part a reaffirmation of past attempts. For example, plaid has been in style for a while, and this season it's still up but with a slight tweak here and there. I'm particularly excited about two things that come with the warmer months.
The first is the resurgence of floral patterns that peeked its head last spring. Whether you're wearing flowers or paisley, it's about time men wore something out of the norm with a little class and dignity.
American designers Shipley & Halmos sent a bright flower print dress shirt paired with a crisp grey pinstripe suit down their runway. Obedient Sons had an olive suit with red flowers on it with matching shorts, while Italian fashion house Etro based their entire collection on a beautiful Southeast Asian palette of silk and paisley.
The second thing I'm keen to see is the return of the beach sweater, a generously baggie hoodie sweater with a deep V-neck. I bought one last year and wore it on occasion, but sadly that's all it was meant for. I'd love to bring it out again more often this year. Obedient Sons had one in greenish-gray on their runway. This spring-summer garment should be a wardrobe staple for college students, with its aura of easy style and relaxed fit, but it hasn't quite picked up yet. Look for more of these on the beach, in front of the library or by the shoreline.
Moreover, if you've got a reason to put on a suit this spring, or if you're just in the mood, consider wearing separate tones of pant and jacket. Gray pants with a black, navy or brown blazer for example. Monotone is getting old and we need something to keep ourselves busy with. Experiment with mixing and matching suits and pants, and if you're in the market for shopping, buy them separately. Just purchase a navy sport jacket without the pants and pair it with some brown corduroys. It'll keep your wardrobe fresh and give you more options in a sea of black suits.
Our friend Ralph Lauren (pronounce it like the girl's name) had a slew of different-color combinations in his line, making use of the entire rainbow spectrum that he's grown accustomed to.
Mr. Hilfiger had his own interpretation of the trend, particularly with his formalwear, and in the East, Ermenegildo Zegna marched some well-tailored suits down the shiny runway in the same style.
And if I may be allowed to digress a little, I'd like to put in a good word for the hundreds of excellently designed high-cut shorts that designers have been producing for over a year now. There appears to be a stigma with wearing high-cut shorts, as if showing leg is unnatural or effeminate. I met this problem towards the end of summer and after several quizzical looks and a rude comment here and there, I was almost shamed into not wearing these plaid shorts I had fallen in love with over the summer.
American men need to, for lack of a better or more polite phrase, grow a set and embrace the fashion that their own home-grown designers are creating.
Nevertheless, I seem to have found a little inspiration and the will to write about what I love, and for the time being I'm at peace again. I think that spring will undoubtedly bring with it good weather and even better fashion.
