The Quintessential Autumn Essential: The Trench Coat
The trench coat is a quintessentially English, timeless autumn/winter wardrobe staple. This stylish classic will help you to brave even the harshest wintery weather.
Bold colours are back with a vengeance for this autumn/winter season. This means that coloured trench coats are all the rage too. If you are feeling particularly brave, try a statement trench coat in a colour such as red, orange, bright blue or green. If the thought of wearing a coloured trench is simply too much to bear, you could opt for a camel coloured trench coat instead. A natural coloured trench coat is a beneficial addition to your wardrobe as it can work in harmony with almost every other colour in your wardrobe.
Trench coats are available to suit even the smallest of budgets. However, as it is a versatile piece, it is often worth splashing out on this fashion must-have. The trench coat is reluctant to leave the catwalk and so is one of the best investments you could make. A trench coat that is well-looked after can be your body armour in times of rain or shine.
Trench coats
Leather Belt Trends
Top designers have been setting the ramp ablaze with a variety of leather belt designs, setting off a leather belt buying spree at retailers across the globe. While the leather belt has always been an essential part of a wardrobe, the sheer range of styles and patterns available means that you can build a collection of belts to go with different outfits and looks.
All Belted Up
Belts are the fundamental style accessory, serving both a functional and decorative purpose. The range of leather belts available today is stunning; this season, over-long belts additionally knotted at the waist, as well as extremely narrow belts have been seen in a number of designer collections. Equally popular is the wide-width belt, used as a waist-cincher to enhance one’s figure.
One trend that is making waves is that of vintage leather belts, the vintage look being achieved either through recycling or by finishing. Vintage blue leather belts and woven belts are an essential in one’s wardrobe. Other vintage belts seen on the fashion-conscious are the 1970s skinny kitch and classic black leather variety.
The cowgirl and biker trends are also hugely popular this season with studs enjoying a comeback. Wide leather belts with simple buckles and cut-out decorations complete the cowgirl look and add a dash of adventure to one’s outfit. Oversized buckles are another rage this season; these belts add class to any outfit and turn the most ordinary ensemble into something glamorous.
Finally, for that ultra-sophisticated evening glamour look, try a python-skin leather belt or an animal print, three-hook belt, sure to add a touch of chic to any night time outfit. A leather belt can jazz up day wear or bring instant elegance to a tired trend, so stock your wardrobe with this style enhancer now.
Mens casual wear trends
Casual wear is important to get right because there is a fine line between casual and scruffy. Items in your wardrobe which are considered casual normally include; t-shirts, sport shirts, polo shirts, checked or patterned shirts, plus jeans, canvas trousers and corduroy trousers. It’s important to remember that casual doesn’t mean old and worn, your casual clothes need to be in good condition, no old, faded ill-fitting clothing. There are a number of brands which focus on casual wear such as Gant, Diesel, Firetrap and Jack & Jones clothing, try mixing and matching different collections for a less uniformed look.
I normally reserve printed t-shirts, slogan t-shirts or branded t-shirts for casual wear, plain t-shirts can be dressed up for smart occasions however I feel that printed t-shirts can’t.
Sport shirts cover a range of tops; polo, rugby, tennis and cricket. Sportswear trends are always popular and these types of tops are always good for casual wear. However when I am talking about sports top I don’t mean actual team ones, these are fine for games but don’t really work for everyday casual wear.
Check shirts seem to be big in casual wear at the moment, although they seem to be getting a bit overdone but then again checked shirts are always handy to have in to mix up a look. Worn on their own, open over a printed tee or under a sweater they are great for layering.
When it comes to Republic jeans, you probably can’t get much more casual than that. For years jeans have really been casual wear mainstay, there are some styles which look smart such as dark denim, straight cuts casual style however tend to be loser fitting and work well lighter in colour too. Canvas and corduroy seem to be making a comeback at the moment with different colours being popular, easy to wear and mix and match they are perfect for casual wear.
Casual menswear
Selecting Autumn and Winter Colours
The lead up to fashion week in August and the holidays is the time when fashion houses decide their autumn and winter collections, and this year brings a stylish mix of colours that compliment and counterpoint with autumn hues. This year will see the major fashion houses move towards a bouquet of colours rather than work around a single colour theme.
Choosing Colours this Autumn
Honeysuckle, the vibrant edge of an autumn sunset is also Pantone’s colour of the year and remains a theme carried over from summer. Deep teal is the colour of choice for the premier fashion houses in Paris, New York and Milan this year. Coffee liqueur and nougat make a comeback after several seasons in women’s pants and eveningwear. The neutrals have held more ground this year, showing up in day casual wear, especially in tartan skirts and tunics. A surprise entrant for scarves and shrugs is the bold and dignified mimosa yellow, while cognac has been the toast of the season for skirts, gowns, scarves and jackets.
The Colours of Joy
The dour, sombre, gloom of autumn and winter make way for the proud and powerful colours of this year’s autumn collection.
Winter Fashion Trends
The men’s winter fashion trends have just started hitting the markets and the changes in style have never been so prominent, especially with the recent interest in turtleneck jumpers and tweed. However, the most noticeable change has to be in footwear with people preferring heavy, chunky boots over last year’s military style.
The Basics of Winter Fashion
As the months are getting colder and colder, people are tending to opt for a larger boot. Growing in popularity is the leather boot with a chunky sole. This will not only keep out the water, but will serve as a great insulator with the help of some nice thick socks. Changing the laces are a great way to add some character to the piece so you can give them your own personal flair.
A popular fabric that we are seeing a lot more of is tweed. Created in the Highlands, tweed is very warm and durable wool. Tweed trousers look perfect with a cardigan, whilst tweed jackets can be made to look very stylish with the help of some dark jeans and ankle boots.
The More Stylish Approach
Style wise, in recent years there have been a drastic increase in brighter colours and horizontal stripes, usually in the form of a kitted jumper or cardigan. Wearing bright colours above the waist is a great way to make you stand out amongst the dark gloomy backdrop of the winter.
Leather jackets can also be a good way to keep your style in check. Not only do they look great, but they can be nice and warm, and are perfect for keeping out moisture.
Mens fashion – Life at sea
Sea Farer
This autumn winter bring out your inner fisher man with the sea farer trend, in are stripes, thick fisher man knits, Breton tops and beanie hats and a rugged look, think life at sea.
As part of quintessential maritime wear you will find thick woollen jumpers, chino trousers, scuffed Voi jeans, and sturdy navy jackets. This look is very masculine and the overall look is a weathered one, you don’t want to look too nautical so don’t go for navy stripes and blue tones instead go for nude tones which are weathered and worn. A rugged look is what you want to achieve but it’s not an excuse to be scruffy you still need to keep some style with look.
Jeans with a checked shirt underneath a chunky cable knit jumper will keep you warm on a winter’s day and adding a beanie had and some boots will finish off the look.
Layering also works well with this trend so why not layer a slouchy Gio Goi t-shirt with a granddad top and a cardigan under a lightweight water proof jacket, ideal for wet winter days.
There are plenty of aspects of your winter wardrobe that would fit well in to this trend, chino trousers, knitwear and checked shirts work well with other trends and this one so try some mixing and matching.
Python Prints
Snake prints are nothing new, but fashion divas have recently been spotted wearing the reptile designs on everything from clothes to bags and shoes. Python print especially is making big waves this season and designers are going all out to incorporate this trend into their ensembles.
Snaky Sleek
Sophisticated and very grown-up, the python print makes a bold statement and is a trend most fashionistas have embraced this season. The simplest way to add python print to your wardrobe is to grab yourself a simple python print handbag. A new trend this fall is the wool python bag; python skin backed by wool to give it a fabric-like finish. Available in evening clutch, doctor’s bag and removable cross-body strap styles, these trendy handbags are the perfect addition to your wardrobe.
Besides python print bags, other items that will definitely grab attention are python print silk blouses and python print knee boots. While python print silk blouses look great in bare neutral prints, a few designers are also getting bolder by incorporating the print in striking shades like blue. The best way to wear these blouses is to pair them with white trousers or dark-washed denims. Complete the look by teaming the outfit with leather pumps. With python print, it is better to let the outfit do most of the talking, going minimal on accessories. Python printed dresses look stunning with neutral military jackets or cargo vests, so make the most of these style enhancers.
Python print shoes range from trendy clogs to pointed toe pumps, plus the eternal favourite, python print knee-high boots. Pair these with monochrome, neutral coloured dresses to achieve a standout look. Coordinating python print with python print can be a huge fashion faux pas, so remember to keep things simple.
The Best Fitting Jeans For Men
Finding great fitting men’s jeans can be a challenge, but there are quite a few jeans that have been ranked at the top of the list because of their versatility and ability to fit different body types easily. A bonus to this list is that most of the jeans are inexpensive.
Tommy Hilfiger Classic Straight Jeans
Tommy Hilfiger produces basic jeans that are made in classic blue as well as black. The fit is versatile and, because of the basic style, the jeans work well with almost any wardrobe choice. Tommy Hilfiger offers top selling denim and the classic fitting jeans.
Selvage Straight Fit Jeans
Selvage has more of a trendy appeal than most other traditional denim labels. The jeans have an upmarket look to them, although they are priced very reasonably. They are made in a dark wash denim and can be worn with a sports jacket or a cotton T-shirt.
Levi’s 501 Straight Leg
The Levi’s brand denim is always a mainstay in the denim world. There is no exception with classic fitting men’s jeans. The 501 is a staple in many wardrobes and affords classic style at an affordable price.
Calvin Klein Straight Leg
Calvin Klein straight leg jeans come in a vintage wash, which adds a bit of style to the classic fitting jeans. There are many different denim styles available, but the Calvin Klein straight leg is one that fits a wide variety of body types and looks great on most men.
Tartan
Surprisingly, tartan clothing is on the rise. The patterned material has been seen on a variety of cat-walks and is now even starting to find itself in stock in local high-street stores. Big companies such as Burberry have even been getting in on the act. Burberry has recently released new products in primary hues, cross hatch with black including men’s jackets too so guys can get in on the act too. Brilliant.
However, tartan fashion can be slightly tricky. When it comes down to it, there are lots of things to remember, and lots of things to steer clear off. Below we have listed some very fundamental do’s and don’ts when it comes down to wearing tartan clothing.
• Do mix and match- you don’t have to just stick with tartan. Lots of designers have been pairing up tartan patters with other eye-catchy ones such as animal prints. Wow. This gives a really cool and edgy look, however, I would advise only the more confident of fashionista’s to try it.
• Accessorise! Why not try a basic tartan scarf? With a plain coloured or layer outfit, this could be the piece which completes the look. Adding basic tartan accessories allows you to follow a fashion trend and without going OTT.
• Layers! As mentioned above, it is always a good idea to layer your tartan. You should pair up with cardigan and jackets. This style looks brilliant and it’s perfect for the colder seasons coming up, too!
• Don’t be afraid of going OTT. Nothing should stop you from expressing your interest in fashion. Even the craziest of tartan outfits have been accepted on the catwalk, so you should never be afraid of standing out!
Party dresses
It’s getting to that time of year again where the high street shops are awash with the perfect party dresses, ready for your Christmas parties. So where do you start?
Well it’s not as hard as you think, there are numerous different styles and trends available in stores so you can find a style to suit your size and shape. Picking the right dress for your shape is important because it can make the difference between fashionable and frumpy. It’s a good idea to experiment with a number of different styles to see what do and doesn’t suit.
Once your dress is sorted the next step is shoes, you need to remember there is a good chance you will be on your feet for a while so making sure your shoes are comfortable is important, but then so is style. Wearing your shoes in first can help and so can gel insoles for extra comfort. Make sure your shoes complement your outfit, sometimes an outfit can be thrown off with the wrong shoes and accessories.
Final touches such as jewellery and makeup are designed to complement and finish off your outfit so don’t go too over the top. If your dress, shoes and bag stand out on their own adding jewellery and making your make up do the same can be too much. For busy outfits simple make up and jewellery will look a lot better. However if you have a rather simple dress and accessories then maybe statement jewellery and make up can finish off the look.
