Spring 2010: what’s new for men

Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal. So men – if your wardrobe is looking a little lack-lustre and dated, there has never been a better time to give it a revamp. This spring it’s all about colour and cut. Old is in and new is brighter and bolder than ever. A plain white T-shirt has turned into a pale peach affair, accessories have become jaunty hats and bow ties and forget what you think you know about the man’s cardigan… it’s all about to change.

This spring designers seem to have taken inspiration from poets, vagabonds and artists from a bygone era. There are lots of old romantic details; braces, neckerchiefs, a flower in a lapel or maybe a well groomed mustache. One of my favourite parts of this season’s new look for men is what they are doing with their hair. Silky manes and artfully tussled locks are a thing of the past. Now, men’s hair is more disheveled (in a just-got-out-of-bed kind of way) or groomed in an old-fashioned style; with combed, slicked back ‘dos, neat side parts or rockabilly quiffs. For fragrance, go for woody, green and musky notes in a cologne or go retro with a classic like Old Spice or English Blazer.

There is something very jet-setting and international about the new look for spring too. If you cross a backpacker with a Gucci fragrance campaign and throw in John Keats for good measure, you will have the perfect ensemble for this season. Think vintage mixed with outdoorsy apparel and clean, well tailored pieces.

Here are the top men’s trends to keep an eye out for this spring…

Pastels

Now pastel might not be for everyone, but I love this look. It’s so self assured and dapper. If pink is too much for you, buy a bag of Clinkers and get ideas from all the other colours inside. Delicious and inspirational. The number one tip I can give to gents this spring is to roll up the cuffs of your pants and have some neat loafers or leather slip-on shoes to wear with no socks.

Unusual tailoring

Why should a blazer or jacket always be the one style? This spring, designers are taking shapes and patterns to the next level and more unusual tailoring will be everywhere.

Classic stripes

How I love a man in stripes. Stripes really do go with everything and this spring, I think light denim and a white collar is such a happy, uplifting look. This beautiful shirt (on left) is from Flinders Lane and will be the perfect addition to your new snazzy wardrobe.

The ‘traveller’s scarf’

I have talked about scarves many times before, but I think this season will be the best we have ever seen.When I was traveling through Asia I spotted many European men wearing very light cotton scarves, and since then I have loved this look. It’s all about bright, light and well traveled.

Beards: let it grow

I don’t want to get all ‘beardy weirdy’ on you… but if you can grow a good crop of facial hair, now is the time to do it! Beards are huge this season and we aren’t talking about neat little ‘Craig David’ look – I mean a lumberjack, 70s bushman number. Jean Paul Gautier and Phillip Lim chose wild and woolly male models for their runway shows, and if they think it’s hot, so do we!

Labels on my radar: Flinders Lane, Prada, Patagonia, Cheap Monday, Rodd and Gunn, North Face, Jean Paul Gaultier, Phillip Lim, American Apparel, Marcs.