New Spring Fashions for Men

If you're seeking relief from the winter blahs, looking at what's forecasted as new spring fashions for men can help. For the style-savvy guy who likes to stay on top of the latest men's fashion trends, knowing what's expected for the next season can help him arrange his wardrobe in advance. While women have a huge selection of fashion magazines to help them select the newest styles from year to year, men have a smaller magazine field from which to choose. However, with the right basics in place, men can have a simplified style that incorporates small changes for the season, which won't require an entire closet overhaul.

LoveToKnow presents this exclusive interview with Eben Nicastro, Product Trends Analyst from Cotton Incorporated. He provides a wealth of details on what the well-dressed man should look for in new spring fashions for men, as well as ways to adopt the trends into your particular lifestyle.

Thanks for granting us this interview, Eben. Can you tell us about some of the new spring fashions the style-conscious man should look out for?

Layered looks shaped the runway. Cotton knits from slim, long polos and masculine henleys to cardigans and marled jersey were the base for many casual looks. Utilitarian safari jackets with zips and pockets along with the classic denim jacket enabled these looks for early spring. Spring cotton suits were easy sells as they came in two cuts: slim and shrunken or baggier and relaxed. Lightweight men’s denim enabled a looser look for jeans.

What colors should guys adopt for the spring?

Combine season-less neutrals with vivids and bolds. Saturated blues and purples, from cobalt to ink to ultra-violet, along with fluorescent oranges, tangerines and yellows look fresh and sophisticated as accents against faux-nude neutrals and light greys. Spicy, rich hues, like paprika and cinnamon, are solid choices for outerwear and knits.

Now that we know some of the new styles and trendy colors, what are some key points men can take from the spring fashion shows?

The two main themes for spring 2009 are activewear plays and layered Eastern influences.

Activewear themes pervaded the runway. Marled cotton jersey made its way into formalwear and suiting as drawstring and elastic-waisted trousers with baggy athletic cuts gave an easy sporty strut. Mid-length tennis shorts and color-blocked tanks and hoodies enhanced the sports uniform vibe.

Dip-dye techniques and ombre prints gave a weightless feel to soft cottons. Layer upon lightweight layer, silhouettes held an Eastern ethnic style. Long scarves in spiced colors, baggy dropped-crotch pants and exotic tiled prints gave men’s looks a cultural élan.

How big will accessories be for guys this spring? Are there any specific ones that will be very popular?

Accessories are a great way for guys to individualize their looks. Fine-gauged cotton knit ties and slender woven ties give easy sophistication for summer while lightweight scarves in multi lengths continue a layering theme.

Spring 2009’s strong activewear influence pervades to bags: messenger bags and classic canvas totes take on utility influences with multi-pockets and zips. Roomy carryalls serve as great overnight bags and stylish gym bags. Intense blues, from cobalt to royal, are big for bags, scarves and as overall accent colors.

For anyone who's interested in simply adding to what he currently owns, how can a man most effectively update his wardrobe?

A few key ideas to update the wardrobe:

• Dress shirts: slim-cut in smooth cotton with bold and subdued yarn-dyed stripes. Roll the sleeves.
• Suits: lightweight for spring, great in pale tans, pastels if he can work it
• Casual shirts: simple squares in summer gingham and tattersall checks
• Denim jacket: the standard makes a comeback, shrunken, just above the beltline
• Cardigans: fine-gauge cotton with color-blocked stripes along neckline and button placket
• Shorts: formal long shorts, at the knee in cotton suiting fabric

Which designers presented some of the best new spring fashions for men?

Great men’s looks this season in Europe and New York!

• Gilded Age achieved an urbane-urban feel with activewear influence in its classic American sportswear. Of particular note: denim and bi-color cardigans.
• Yigal Azrouel’s innovative gauzy cotton fabrics were layered in disheveled coolness as he merged the season’s activewear notion with formal suiting and Eastern cultural inspirations.
• Neil Barrett color-blocked with neutrals and bolds in slim silhouettes and shorter shorts while John Bartlett’s ruggedly masculine show combined retro gym styles with military and sportsman influences.
• DSquared2 and Dolce & Gabbana impressed with their ability to create looks both ostentatious and completely wearable. A modern retro pervaded D²’s show in cotton knits and denim suiting while D&G achieved sublime casual luxe by uniting cotton pajama fabrics and a lounge wear ease with suiting and classic swagger.

A lot of runway fashions seem a little unreachable to the average man. How do these trends affect the office professional vs. the casual guy on the street?

With this season’s new hybrid of active, formal and casual, the fashionable guy can really create unique looks that work well for the office as well as the street. His individuality, whether it be suave or rugged, boyish or mature, is intact both when he is at work and on the weekends. The main separation is refinement of fabrics and cut. The slim-cut fine-gauged cotton cardigan is perfect for the office while the chunkier, roomier version is great for Saturday mornings.

With some major-name designers showcasing men in skirts, do you think men in skirts is going to ever catch on in a big way?

In a big way? No way. Marc Jacob’s supportive sporting of Commes des Garçons’ man-skirt was fun but that’s where it ends. This avant-garde statement, however, gives rise to fresh summer thought regarding men’s legs. Slightly cropped trousers and cuffed denim expose bare ankle while shorts become tastefully shorter.

We'd like to thank Cotton Incorporated's Eben Nicastro for all of the useful information, advice and tips he's provided for our readers. From updating what you already own to adding some of the newest fashions to your wardrobe, you can be just as stylish in your professional as well as your casual attire, perfectly dressed for any occasion.

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