There’s a common misconception that religiously adhering to trends equates to good dressing. In our humble opinion, this is not the case. Blindly following each and every seasonal trend is a recipe for poor style. Not to mention an easy way to bankrupt yourself.
The key to retaining your sartorial self-respect lies in the ability to successfully differentiate between the fleeting fads and the future classics. And in order to give you a nudge in the right direction, we’ve created a carefully selected edit of the menswear movements worth incorporating into your wardrobe this year.
From the return of florals to the continued widening of silhouettes, these are the men’s fashion trends to embrace in 2021.
Tailoring isn’t the only thing getting looser in 2021. As we transition into winter, slouchy overcoats, boxy puffer jackets and lengthy parkas will continue to be popular. Oversized belted overcoats in particular are worth paying special attention to.
There’s a lot to be said for this trend as it bolsters one of the best things about winter menswear: the ability to layer. Oversized outerwear leaves lots of room to get creative with your pieces underneath, creating plenty of depth with varying textures and tones. That makes it a winner in our book.
It’s impossible to say where we’ll be 10 months from now but chances are there’ll still be fluctuating coronavirus restrictions around the world. For that reason, luxe loungewear and house shoes are likely to be trending hard.
Think socks & ‘stocks, hoodies, slouchy overshirts, drawstring pants and loose-fitting tees. The kind of clothing that borders on pajamas levels of comfort but that won’t get you sacked if you have to attend an impromptu Zoom call with your boss.
The revival of fleece is symptomatic of the broader trend in menswear towards outdoors-inspired garb. Thick-pile retro fleeces have been popular as standalone outerwear for several seasons now, while designers continue to work more and more of the fabric into their autumn/winter collections.
This trend is best served in small portions. Keep it to one fleece garment per outfit to avoid going full sheep and mix and match it with other textured fabrics to add another tactile dimension to your cold-weather looks.
Due to its good looks, ruggedness and timeless appeal, leather will continue to be a trend winter after winter. A quality bomber jacket made from the stuff will probably be one of the soundest style investments you’re ever likely to make. It won’t come cheap, but it will last a lifetime. If you haven’t already added one to your collection, this coming winter is the time to do it. And if you really want to stay on trend, why not go for a model with a belted waist?
Ditch the smooth fabrics once the cold weather sets in and watch your tailored looks take off. Materials like tweed, wool, corduroy and twill can help take your sartorial chops to the next level, while adding character and creating focal points within any given outfit.
Keep in mind that it will never look as smart as classic tailoring, so save it for parties, dates and weddings (should the world be back to normal by then) as opposed to anything explicitly formal.
The rise of technical outerwear in the fashion world has been one of the overarching trends of the last few seasons and will continue well into the new year. This time around it’s cropped, zip-up silhouettes taking centre stage – easy for throwing on to nip to the shops or for using as a middle layer underneath your winter coat for added ballast and protection against the elements.
Skinny legwear is off the menu and even slim-fits are dwindling. In their place, we’re witnessing a return to the relaxed-fit pants of the 1980s and 1990s.
Many of us have been pouring ourselves into tight-fitting jeans now for the best part of a decade, and old habits die hard. However, if you embrace a looser leg you might be surprised how much you like it. Not just from a style standpoint, but in terms of comfort too.
The Chelsea boot has always been one of the most elegant, sleek and low-profile boot options around. While that’s all well and good in fair weather, as soon as we’re met with a bit of ice and heavy rainfall, they cease to be practical.
Whether it was oversized suiting or wide-leg trousers, pinstripes were everywhere at the menswear shows. It’s a welcome return for one of the coolest patterns in tailoring. If business casual is well, too casual, opt for fine quality pinstriped suit.
Single breasted is a classic option but why not go all-out
1980s stockbroker and try a double-breasted jacket with peak lapels? That’s
right, tailoring has now gone full circle.
Checks are always trending in some way, shape or form. But for the colder months of 2021 it’s Black Watch tartan, buffalo and windowpane that are the ones to watch.
There are countless ways to work these patterns into your daily wardrobe, but one of the simplest is in the medium of an overshirt or a flannel shirt.