Fine spring fashion for fine fellas

By DEREK FAISH

Women’s styles this year are breaking the traditional and safer molds made prevalent in the… Women’s styles this year are breaking the traditional and safer molds made prevalent in the fall, with all the chocolate browns and conventional movements. But just so the guys don’t feel left out, let’s devote some time to discussing the intriguing world of men’s spring fashion.

For the guys, there are a lot of neat developments, both in the high fashion world and with clothes guys would actually wear. We all know that average guys are not largely concerned with the new looks that are appearing on some of the hottest runways, but many of these trends eventually influence designers that a lot of guys might actually wear.

On all the major runways from Milan, Paris and New York, we are seeing big splashes of color, which is a precipitous change from the fall. It seems that there was an overdose of bland from September, and fashion designers are making up for it with big doses of color.

As with the girls’ lines, the world’s biggest designers are making a splash with primary colors, which can look adequately vintage for a different kind of look. Bursts of bright orange and electric blue from designers like Yves Saint Laurent and Jil Sander are jolting the fashion industry.

This trend is starting to trickle down and reach the mainstream – a lot of conventional stores are starting to carry guy’s shirts in basic and solid colors. Stores like Abercrombie and Fitch and H’M are carrying guys’ shirts in tidy pastels and powerful primary shades. And pink, once popular for guys, has gotten rather stale, as it’s a trend that’s a few years old. But any other solid is a sure way to get noticed.

Also appearing on runways for the fall are some interesting pants. There’s an emphasis on suspenders, as seen on the models of such famous designers as Armani and Yamamoto. Almost all the time, the pants are on the tighter side and dark in composition. The fact that lighter slacks or jeans are absent is a significant trend. Even pinstripes can be seen, which are usually not common in spring.

This trend affects everyday fashion for guys, who mostly wear denim. The denim for the spring, like the fall, is dark. Dark jeans are a trend that is here to stay for longer than an instant.

Shadowy shades are still looking classy and sharp on the runways and in the real world. Conventional designers are really starting to hop on the trend, and there are a lot of dark denim styles to be found at the usual mall shops.

So if you’re a guy in need of new jeans, I suggest going dark. I’d also advise against jean shorts, which are just weird. A pleasant alternative is khaki cargos – the only way to wear shorts and avoid a fashion faux pas.

Another glance at the big fashion world shows that guys will be sporting the athletic look. Designers like DSquared2 and Jean Paul Gaultier are showing off some basketball-inspired gear this year.

A lot of guys think they already have this look down, but this is different from the popular tear-aways, big hoodies and gray T-shirts. Look to the Puma Store for brightly colored shoes and track jackets for inspiration. Also, American Apparel is a great place to get basics with a proper fit.

Even though designer clothes can be expensive and out of reach, cheaper designers offer a perfect alternative. And many times, inexpensive designers are influenced by the big names anyway, giving guys the best of both worlds. So even if you’re strapped for cash, great spring fashion for guys can be easy and affordable.