With all the talk about timeless wardrobe classics, it can
be tempting to step away from trends and focus on the basics, but where's the
fun in that?
So you can splash around in seasonal outfits without looking like a streetwear maverick, we spoke with editors, designers, and stylists to highlight these trends to find out how to wear them without stumbling on trying them on.
ATLEISURE
When even Prince Harry starts wearing sportswear in public,
you know that athleisure has become more than just a seasonal trend. However,
that's not to say that the SS17 doesn't have its own flavor.
"There is a general movement towards a more casual and
sophisticated outfit," says Millie Rich, stylist in Thread Men's Personal
Styling Department. This season, Rich suggests investing in "simple
Scandinavian styles that have an athletic edge." (Related: Everything You
Need To Know About The 'Athleisure' Trend)
Men's Sportswear
BARNETS BLANCHADOS
When a trend has joint signatures from Zayn, Bieber, and
Gosling, it won't be long before it spreads to the remaining men. But rubbing
bleached hair is not for the faint of heart, according to Jack Howard,
spokesman for L'Oréal Professionel in the UK.
“It may be very fashionable, but […] it requires incredibly
high maintenance and you will have to go to the salon every five or six weeks.
Most people can go platinum, with the exception of natural redheads and those
with very dark hair. (Related: Men's Hair Coloring 101)
Shampoos and conditioners for bleached hair for men
CAMO CHAMELEON
Once the preserve of the paintball and pop band days of the
'90s, camouflage has made a big comeback in recent seasons. While it is now
considered almost as perennial as the white t-shirt, it is a print that needs
careful consideration.
The trick to avoiding the Territorial Army look is to use print accents instead of an all-out assault, or go for pieces that fit the traditional motif in one way or another, "says Stephen Doig, editor of The Telegraph's Men's Style. "That way, even if your definition of 'crossing the parapet' is a nudge on your journey, you'll be struggling fit, in terms of style." (Related: Key Menswear Prints and Models for SS17 and How to Wear Them).
Men's camo print clothing
DESERT BOOTS
Clarks has dominated the school shoe scene and has now
completed the circle by partnering with perhaps the greatest beast of all:
Drake. Of course, the point is to use them without seeming over the top.
Think of desert boots as heels for the summer. They are
somewhere between casual and elegant, ”says stylist Freddie Kemp, who has
worked with people like Mr. Porter. "Avoid trends and go for a
sand-colored pair because they go with everything and suede tends to look best
in light, neutral colors." (Related: The Biggest Men's Shoe )
Men's desert suede ankle boots
EASY SEWING
Main Street recently stepped up its tailoring game, with
brands and retailers from River Island to Boohoo Man revamping their offerings to
include bolder styles alongside classic pieces. A lower price means more room
to experiment, so make this season the only one to try a contemporary update.
"A man in a flawless but deconstructed suit has a
slightly artistic air in a way," says Gaia Trussardi, Trussardi's creative
director. "The key is to make sure he's flattering rather than [just]
baggy," adds stylist and editor Tom Stubbs, who has dressed everyone from
Luke Evans to Eddie Redmayne.
As for the shoes? "Ditch the brogue and go for a sleek, simple white sneaker," says Stubbs. (Related: The Full Set of Spring / Summer Costumes).
Men's Casual Suits / Suits
SHOES WITHOUT TRICKS
Speaking of simple white sneakers, this is the style that
menswear can't get enough of. But keeping your shoes crisp and white can be
challenging, not just from the dirt but from the sun as well.
"Keep them out of direct sunlight to avoid yellowing
and [the leather] cracking," says ethical fashion expert Zoe Robinson of
The Good Wardrobe. "The quickest way to give sneakers a boost is to wash
the laces, just put them in a laundry net with the rest of the linens."
(Related: How to Maintain Your Sneakers