The recession is over for fashion, and above all the blending of boundaries is the concept that will set the tone for the incoming style generation. This means that smart casual continues to be an increasingly common fashion attitude amongst younger men, though a more casual approach to dress continues to dominate the public sphere.
The Return of the Real Man – Rugged, Masculine and Conservative Style Ideas
While the mid to latter part of the 00's focused on colours and patterns – a positive influence of that style era being the return of bright colour back into men's fashion – there has been a decided return to staple fabrics in the last year that shows no sign of decreasing.
Brands like Calvin Klein and Andre Marc are really doing well in the fashion world due to their timeless, conservative style. Nobody does leather like Andre Marc and nothing attracts the female gaze like a man wearing the perfect leather jacket.
Calvin Klein has maintained a very monochromatic and slim garment aesthetic that has translated well to the popular spirit of style. Leather and denim are dominated by labels such as these, complimented further by increased attention to the particulars of men's designer footwear.
The Best Shoes for Men in 2011 – Clark's for Business and Mark Nason Boots for “Other” Business
Every man should have at least two nice pairs of shoes or boots – one for the road and one for more formal occasions. Clark's Unstructured are easily a hands-down choice to satisfy the business needs, and designer Mark Nason's endless models of high-end boots really bring a solid and masculine edge to the table without looking overly “work-y”.
Mark Nason is my favourite designer of high quality men's shoes and boots; several styles spring immediately to mind in terms of real dealbreakers that set the tone for an entire outfit. Wear Sussex with a battered pair of dark jeans, black tee, and a peak-lapel brown leather for a rugged casual look. Those who prefer a more organic, laid-back retro look might prefer wearing Starman, an iconic boot with various swatches of earth-tone leather and beautiful embroidery.
Footwear is a practical fashion item that is often overlooked; yet even a cash-strapped population still likes to keep an eye out for a solution that does the job, is rugged enough to take some wear, and still looks great.
In 2011 the key will be to choose fewer, higher quality garments that will endure the next few years with style and grace. This means a return to rugged and durable fabrics such as denim, leather, and wool – mix and match these three in the right combination to really ring in the new year!
Nicholas Morine - Nicholas Morine Bachelor of Arts, English Language & Literature Master of Philosophy, Humanities (Candidate) Memorial University ...
