Male fashion is so often – quite wrongly, in my view – seen as a poor bedfellow to women’s fashion. This is why I thought I would redress the balance somewhat, by taking a closer look at some of the male fashion trends that are definitely ‘in’ and definitely ‘out’ – and rest assured that I’ve done enough observing in my own time to know which is which!
For the benefit of my male readership as well as the many ladies out there who would like to encourage their guy to upgrade his ensemble, here are my summer 2016 ‘ins’ and ‘outs’…
IN: Athleisure
‘Athleisure’ – clothing that makes as much sense for exercise as it does for lazing around – has become something of a ‘thing’ in recent times and the important message for this summer is that it definitely isn’t going anywhere. It’s the look that is coming to dominate men’s casual fashion, albeit with luxury elements sometimes included in the mix, too.
IN: High-fashion anoraks
If the anorak still conjures up images for you of bespectacled train-spotters, you’re already behind the times, the recent catwalks showing that it’s merely the latest category of male clothing to undergo a high-end resurgence. Patterned, block-colour and even transparent styles have all emerged to challenge our ideas of what an anorak (the clothing item, that is) truly represents.
IN: Work wear-like leisure wear
Building on the athleisure trend, it seems that casual clothing really is embracing every aesthetic – even that of previously utilitarian work wear. One of the best-known work wear brands of all, the almost century-old Dickies, is especially great at this with its sophisticated selection of durable trousers and denims that are purposeful, while also being great for lounging around.
OUT: Overly conservative suits
I’m not trying to suggest here that you should wear a suit that makes you look like Timmy Mallet – the key to a guy expressing himself through a suit is to keep things understated. Many guys in summer ’16 are choosing to swap the traditional regular navy blue for the brighter ‘new navy’, for example, while the general fit of suits is also becoming that bit looser.
OUT: The man bun
I’m sorry to share the news, guys, but the man bun is really not a dignified hairstyle choice, and I’m glad to hear (and see!) that it’s firmly on its way out as 2016 warms up. Just, whatever you do with your hair… don’t. Trust me (and your girlfriend) on this one.
OUT: Dressy hats
Fedoras and similarly ‘striking’ hats had been creeping back into fashion in the last few years, and it’s another trend that is dying a well-deserved death. It just makes men look like they’re trying too hard, and no one wants to see that. Keep your head unadorned – it’s fine just the way it is.
What do you think? Do you think I’ve picked the right ‘ins’ and ‘outs’, or are there any other male fashion trends that you’ve noticed in recent weeks and months, whether in your hometown or at the fashion shows? Hit me up here with your suggestions, and I’ll give them a good read.
In the meantime, for those guys who are looking for a more comprehensive list, Vogue has published a useful spring ’16 menswear cheat sheet.
*This is a collaborative post.
