We've already fully entered the fall / winter season, and I believe you will lose more in this year's trends than the elephant in the city. Don't worry, I'll tell you what I've seen in stores and on catwalks, and as always, I hope you wear it and have fun.
I realized how changeable things are. Until recently,
only what designers offered on international catwalks became a trend; not now.
It is enough for an influential person to publish a photo with what he likes or
what he is wearing, so that in a few weeks it will become a trend, and we will
see him in stores in "writing".
This is what you need to live in the Internet age. No
more spending a lot of money on advertising campaigns or hiring expensive
international models, now we set the trends ... and they are.
At the start of Madrid Women's Fashion Week, there was
talk of the clumsy fashion calendar in the digital world, the prohibitive costs
of traditional fashion shows, and the difficulty of keeping up with an
ever-changing industry.
But even as fashion changes, one thing remains unchanged:
trends. Of course, the “look now” and “buy now” strategies (adopted by major
financial brands such as Burberry and Ralph Lauren) and the ever-expanding Main
Street (and their ability to turn a concept product into reality in just a
couple of weeks) may seem similar. forces that are breaking trends in trends
before bed, but the reality is that no matter how much product we get, it
doesn't matter if it debuts on the catwalk or in the celebrity sponsored
Instagram space, the trends will stay Stick and nowhere else than in men's
clothing (see some family trends of the last few seasons below).
Fashion fabric: sheep wool
In fact, I've already lost count of how many times
fabrics imitating lamb's wool in its various colors and textures have become
fashionable. It all began in the 70s thanks to the television stars of the time
and continues to this day. More like something already classic for winter.
On the catwalks we saw him with the hands of the
wonderful Tiger of Sweden and Gieves & Hawkes, as well as in fast fashion
stores such as Zara or H&M. If you have one at home, don't put it in the
back of your closet. Take it out again.
Key fabric: sheepskin
We've lost count of how many times sheepskin has topped
the trend charts in recent seasons. Its continued popularity this fall/winter
is due, at least in part, to the slow trajectory of menswear trends in general,
but much of it has to do with the fact that since we first rediscovered it
since the late 1970s, we have we see this not so much a trend as a winter
perennial.
Tiger of Sweden and Gieves & Hawkes showcased classic
flight jackets on the runways, but the trend was driven by upside-down
sheepskin footage at Belstaff and Coach.
Take your pick, but be sure to have one or a cheaper and
less dangerous faux sheepskin jacket in your wardrobe.
Fashion Pattern: Large Plaid
Will the big squares be the new stripes? If we saw
something last winter, then this winter it seems that pinstriped trousers are
gradually giving way to a larger and more original type of pattern: the purl.
You will ask why. Well, the answer is simple: this
season, brands are not relying on narrow and stereotypical patterns as in
previous years, but on textures and more sporty and wearable models (although I
must say that Brioni and Bottega Veneta follow last year's models patterns).
Some of the most luxurious brands like Alexander Wang or
Pyer Moss combine hooded jackets and XXL coats in one outfit with a lot of
style and finesse. The main thing this season is to be comfortable.
Key Pattern: Checks
Are checks the new stripes?
Forgive the fashionism, but if the autumn/winter 2016 shows were anything to go
by, stripes might slowly be surrendering their status as the most versatile,
put-it-across-everything menswear pattern out there.
How so? Well, this season saw
checks take new territory, namely athleisure. While checked tailoring and
outerwear have been trending at top tailoring houses for a few seasons (and
continue to at the likes of Bottega Veneta and Brioni), the pattern hasn’t
until now been given styling treatment that skews more sporty than sartorial.
Some of sports luxe biggest
proponents, including Alexander Wang and Pyer Moss, mixed gingham and
windowpane checks in amongst striped sportswear separates and printed hoodies
in their AW16 shows – proof that this pattern’s not just one for parlour games.
Fashion piece: the Trenca
Yes, yes, our beloved duffle coat is
back in fashion this season as something nostalgic for our childhood. The
trench coats that you will see on the streets of your city this year will be of
all colors, predominantly earth and burgundy (the latter is my favorite). I
have to say that trench coats are very warm and very easy to combine so you you
will feel very comfortable with a sunset. We already saw them a couple of years
ago at the Saint Laurent and Dior Homme shows and, finally, this season they
are imposing much more force.
Key Piece: Duffle Coat
Maybe it’s designers’ current
nostalgia for the early 1980s (thanks, Stranger Things), or maybe it’s just
that – in an industry dominated by leisurewear – designers are proffering the
duffle coat as a warming alternative to the tailored overcoat, something that
sits somewhere between a bomber and a Chesterfield on the formality scale.
Like a lot of menswear, the
duffle has its roots in the army barracks, but AW16 looks from Saint Laurent
and Dior Homme took the outerwear classic to a grungier place (in the best way
possible of course), flanking it with shaggy hair, distressed denim and
creepers.