If the recent men’s shows in Paris were an early indicator of how the New York men’s collections would shape up, I would have said one thing and one thing only. The suit is back with a vengeance. The idea of strict tailoring and head to toe dressing took on an importance we have not seen in years from luxury houses like Dior and Louis Vuitton.
Courtesy of Louis Vuitton
By the time New York designers showed (albeit to much less fanfare), the message shifted a bit. It seems as if the city that never sleeps can indeed roll out of bed and not worry about the idea of putting on a strict suit. Instead an easy casual and highly personal form of dressing emerged.
I think the take away from these few presentations and catwalks suggest coats are king and strong knitwear sets the tone. I was personally very happy to see such formidable offerings from Todd Snyder (who has become the de facto marquis name of mensweek) from Monse who only recently began dabbling In menswear with a punk/schoolboy uniform that felt perfectly appropriate and of course the luxury of Michael Kors whose men's looks are right in step with his jet setting client.
If the modern man wants to be right in step I suggest he mix up the messages from causal dressing to suiting and make it his own. Don’t be afraid of knitwear that makes a statement, own a great parka, buy a suit, and pleats are definitely back!
