Just when I thought London Fashion Week ‒ at long last ‒ was sobering up, along came the Menswear Day, to reassure that the wacky in it was very much alive and kicking. Skirts (and I don’t mean the supposedly macho kilts!), comb-ensemble headpieces, camping groundsheets as parkas were just some of the stuff that made perfect sense. (Not.) BUT, this wave of eccentricity spattered some quirkily cool bits and pieces…
Amidst the daftness on show at Christopher Shannon, the Madras checks stood out in a good way. I thought they looked quite cool, and would make a novel way to don prints in S/S’12.
The slim cut jacket in light grey windowpane fabric added a little quirk to the timid (okay, okay classical…) collection from the British heritage label Aquascutum.
While Oliver Spencer’s S/S’12 was brimming with confidence and attitude ‒ and I expected nothing less from a collection inspired by French Mod. The deep-cuffed trousers, polka and micro dots, single- and double-breasted unlined suits and blazers in cotton and linen, purposefully mismatched buttons (actually loved this one!), all brilliantly spoke of casual sophistication.
Mr Start’s irreverent take on suiting – with cropped trouser legs, slim lapels cut higher on the chest, collarless shirts and Superga trainers ‒ fabulously balanced youthfulness and polish.
For the English dandy (!) look, look no further than Hardy Amies, the venerable Savile Row-based label. Exquisitely cut suits in beautiful hues were paired with short shorts (Quelle horreur, this outrageous combo was all over the runways at LFW ‒ still I’m not going to recommend it, not in the slightest. I’m not servile to fashion like that, y’see?) and trousers cropped to the ankles (again!). A razor-sharp cut suit in grey windowpane fabric (ta-da, another one!) looked ah-may-zing. But, what I loved most were those gold-dusted Oxfords and loafers!!! Guaranteed swagger like Jagger 😉
As much as I loved Hardy Amies’s offering, my favourite collection, though, was by a high-street label. Yep, was absolutely bowled over by the edgy, fashion-forward stuff at Topman Design, esp. those double- and single-breasted jackets and trousers with a deep turn-up (Note: If you decide to sport just one trend this S/S’12, let it be the flashing of ankles!). But the coup de grâce of the collection was the expensive-looking tailoring, which belied the high-street credentials. There were plenty of paisley-style patterns and silk items as well, just in case you fancy channelling your inner Chuck Bass (!). And not to forget the quirky and über cool footwear: paisley-printed lace-ups and vibrant-coloured loafers in patent leather (y-es, I love flashy stuff, but in slight doses!).
Go on guys, make the world your runway this spring…