London Collections: Men

Its true, 2013 has now seen its first showcase of British fashion talent only a minute away from our Campus at Covent Garden. The launch of ‘London Collections: Men’ during the summer of last year presented an opportunity to display not only British but men’s fashion, providing an opportunity for emerging talents, as well as using global menswear brands, and Savile Row tailors.

London Collections has not only encouraged the ‘Buy British’ campaign put forward by retail figures such as Mary Portas and supported what David Cameron hopes will be the ‘re- industrialisation’ of Britain, but transformed the catwalk by incorporating 60+ models.

Designers Agi & Sam have innovated fashion in a way that it seems the female fashion world would never pursue: the senior model. Oliver Spencer is another designer that incorporates older models, appealing to a larger male audience, and essentially widening his market. Why then is women’s fashion so strict and idealistic in its choice of the ‘size zero’? Are men just more laid back? Or are they simply more realistic that clothes are needed by everyone and presenting a modern innovation to be pursued by the female fashion world? We shall see with the London Fashion Week of this February I am sure!

Before I draw you into the problematic debate of the ‘size zero’, check out the four key trends of London Collections: Men. Get shopping boys!

OVERSIZED CHECKS

Update your classic chequered shirt for a wide and oversized check, shown here in the collections of Hackett and Lou Dalton. Buying a size or two bigger will create that oversized look, and team with some tucked in slim chino’s to bag both looks!

THE ANTI-CHRISTMAS JUMPER

Following shops full of fairisle print the new jumper on the block is a bit of a scrooge! Go for a crazy colourful pattern that doesn’t make you feel like Christmas is on the way, and if you can rock the roll neck like Steve McQueen, teaming your jumper over a roll neck top will not only add extra layers but style this look just that bit more!

 THE SLOUCHY TUCKED IN TROUSER

These have been seen all over the catwalk! From patterned sweat pants in James Long’s collection, to Astrid Anderson’s Satin look sweat trousers, achieve this look by tucking your trousers into your socks, teamed with some chunky lace up boots. For that more prim look, smart suit like trousers a la Hardy Amies are not only sexy but super stylish.

SAFETY ORANGE

For the bolder of you, Topman Design’s collection featured a lot of items in this bright orange. Check it out!