Last week in Paris, menswear designers attacked many preconceived notions of modern dress-codes with shots of pink, lashes of femininity, and some very--VERY--sharp scissors. But, hey, we're open to new ideas. And surely the antiquated inspirations, brilliant color schemes, and traditionally femme fabrics add versatility and flash to the male wardrobe. Still, we must warn aspiring sartorialists: We're not talking about no shrunken Thom Browne pants here. With looks of ruched, silk, and gazar, crossdressing and costume play have supplanted metrosexuality. It's dangerous territory, but, thankfully, not all the gentlemen have left the building. Silhouettes took a turn for the broad, nostalgia was on display, and tailoring was still impeccable. Bottom line--pack your inhibitions in a box and toss them into the Seine...or the Hudson, whichever's closer.The New Casual:Â Next spring you've got a leeway to play with everything from sweats to ruched organza and still shop in the men's section.
Left to right: Miharayasuhiro, Veronique Branquinho, Lanvin, Lanvin.
Short Suits: Stock up on Nair, because designers are asking you to show some leg next spring. Even traditionally long-pant looks had cuffs rolled up to the shin. Perhaps formal clam digging is the new It pastime.
Left to right: Veronique Branquinho, Kris van Asche, Commes des Garçons, Junya Wantanabe.Shiny, Happy: For those of us with necks too feeble to sport our weight in jewels (bling is dead, btw), there is an assortment of flashy new duds to light up our nights.
Left to right: Kris van Asche, Viktor & Rolf, Dries van Noten, Lanvin.American Nostalgia: Ghosts haunted Paris's runways. From Andy Warhol's signature uniform to the '50s varsity boy and his insurance-salesman older brother, specter of America's past were everywhere looking stylish (if spooky).
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Left to right: Junya Watanabe, Viktor & Rolf, Junya Watanabe, Viktor & Rolf.WTF?: We really did try to keep Galliano off the list this year—we really did. But some things are out of our control—these Technicolor turkeys being prime examples.
Left to right: Ann Demeulemeester, John Galliano, Commes des Garçons, Lanvin.All images from Men.Style.