The GQ Best Dressed List 2011

The Best Dressed List

Covering the very best in fashion, style, entertainment, sport, grooming, culture and lovely ladies, Gentlemen’s Quarterly (or GQ to the rest of us) is the most comprehensive and down right stylish magazine around. GQ is to monthly men’s magazines, what Glastonbury is to festivals. Sure there are others, but none quite as well respected, as sought after or as damn right brilliant.
This month’s edition of GQ is extra special, and one of the most eagerly awaited editions of the year. No, not just because there are Victoria Secret models adorning the cover, but because it features the GQ Best Dressed Men In Britain 2011. Topped by Robert Pattinson 2010 [ed: HOW!], the GQ Best Dressed list is a celebration of British style featuring 50 of the most suave, effortlessly cool and well, best dressed men of the year.

So what does this year’s list have to offer? Well, as you would expect there is a big nod to the sophisticated and lavish tailoring of Saville Row, but there is also enough space for half a dozen rock stars, a rapper, and more than enough edgy, forward thinking young icons to go around. Age wise it’s more varied than a Take That concert, with Bryan Ferry looking immaculate at 65, while Romeo Beckham is stylishly representing the somewhat younger generation. It’s this younger generation – particularly young British actors – that are really flying the flag for this, the most stylish of nations. The fact that entire top 5 is made of up guys aged 26 or younger, shows you why when it comes to British style icons, the future is so bright it’s probably best not to look directly at it.
Obviously, as with every list of this nature, not everyone is going to agree with the choices of the GQ editors, so it would be great to hear your take on the top 50 best dressed men in Britain today. Lets face it, any list that features both Prince William and Prince Harry, an F1 racing driver and Ray Winstone is bound to cause a stir.

GQ Best Dressed List 2011 (20 – 2)

Editor: We don’t want to take all the fun out of reading the supplement that comes with the latest GQ, so we are not actually going to name every single person on the list. However we have put together a lovely montage of the top 20 below which counts down from 20 left to right. Plus you can find a great round-up of the winner’s style by Duncan underneath. See how many you can work out from the images.

GQ Best Dressed Man Of The Year 2011: Aaron Johnson

At only 20 years old, Aaron Johnson has already made his name as an actor (notably in Nowhere Boy and the brilliant Kick Ass), as a toy boy (he’s engaged to 43 year old director Sam Taylor-Wood), and now a style icon. Picked ahead of the chasing pack as GQ’s most stylish man of 2011 because he “kicks ass fashion wise” according to Editor Dylan Jones, he caught the eye of the decision makers at GQ’s Men of the Year awards back in 2010 and hasn’t looked back since.
So what makes Aaron so special? Well like any film star he spends his fair share of time on the red carpet, so of course he’s required to look dapper in a suit. He wears a tux with a mixture of suave sophistication and rugged charm, favouring quirky accessories such as the bow tie or the pocket square over the more traditional neck tie. When it comes to his casual style, again he showcases an equally charming mix of maturity and youthful exuberance, embracing elements of the ‘worker’ style that’s going to be massive this spring – with off white vests, check shirts, denim and tweed featuring heavily in his artillery.
With an eclectic mix of young and old throughout the list it’s no wonder Aaron Johnson tops the pile of Britain’s best dressed. He’s got everything that’s great about fashion in this country – he can be relaxed, casual and effortlessly cool one minute, but boy does he scrub up well.

Aaron Johnson Smart Style Picks:

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Aaron Johnson Casual Style Picks:

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To read more on the GQ Best Dressed List 2011, including the ten worst-dressed men in the world and the best dressed international men of 2011, pick up the latest copy of GQ magazine.

Men’s Fashion Revival? The Plus Fours

I was delving through my wardrobe the other morning and was feeling, ‘let’s say’ less than inspired. Although men’s fashion for this season has been given the step up, it’s still difficult to buy high-end, less mainstream threads without spending an arm ‘n’ a leg. Because the majority of men do not want to let go of the standard jeans and T-shirt combination, a lot of high street stores aren’t buying the more avant-garde garments.
Due to this predicament I decided to check out the vintage scene again. However, I’m past the idea that ‘just because its 50 years old it looks cool’.
After 2 hours of intricately rummaging; through moth balled furs, bat-winged, Hi-Tech jackets and flamboyantly tattered flairs, I found myself a pair of black tweed plus fours. A little bit dusty round the edges but gorgeous none-the-less.
Ok they’re two sizes to big, but, I think that will add to the look once I’ve altered them. My plan is to take just the waist band in, leaving the upper legs and crotch parachute-y and bellowing. Like a classic pair of drop crotch shorts.

I have always been a huge fan of that beautiful, 18th century, golfing attire. I also see this punky, Sherlock Holmes look coming in for AW10, as a darker version of that Regency romance.

What Are Plus Fours?

Plus fours (also known as Knickerbockers), were boy’s baggy knee trousers popular in the 18th century. Until the First World War boys wore shorts in the summer and knickerbockers or plus fours in the winter, until they hit puberty and graduated to long trousers. ‘I’d rather stay in the plus fours if you ask me’. In the early 19th century, plus fours were worn as part of sports attire. Which is where that great tweed and watch tartan golfing dress originated from. History lesson over.
When I bought my plus fours I didn’t actually think about how fashion forward they were, in a non mainstream way. With the twisted, country look (that I for one am incredibly excited about) coming in for next season, I think plus fours and 3/4 length suit trousers are a fantastic way to bring the punkoutry, look into this summer. Maybe teaming them with a tweed waistcoat and printed T – so you don’t look completely like a chimney sweep!
A look that I’m planning on breaking out closer to the autumn is plus fours with hunting socks and big, elaborate, bow tied neckerchiefs. An image Inspired by the Mad Hatter in Tim Burton’s adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. Fashion and outfit inspiration is all around us in this world, you just need to take notice.
Calf hugging, British eccentricity is definitely the way forward for this spring/summer. Let’s not leave this beautiful piece of fashion history on the derrieres of unconventional, country club golfers or the dusty floors of vintage shops.
If there’s ever going to be a time to revive plus fours it’s definitely the season to do so. Yay!
Big Love,
Jacob Kamara

Graduate Fashion Week Round-Up

After trying to squeeze my pheasant tail-feather brooch into a packed out Central line tube, I arrived at Earls Court for the Graduate Fashion week Gala show and awards.
Avoiding an embarrassing walk down the ‘Pink’ carpet we were bustled through into a Champagne reception. The bubbles were flowing and the Fash-Pack were in full swing. Members of the party included Nicola Roberts from Girls Aloud (looking incredibly pale but intimidatingly beautiful), Amelle Berrabah (the cockney one from Sugababes), Bonny Wright from Harry Potter, Kanya King Founder of the MOBO award, dance group Diversity, Alberta Ferretti, copious editors from ELLE, British Vogue and GQ and heads from fashion houses including Mulberry and McQueen.
In my excited gallop from the toilet back to where the bubbles were being sipped and sparkling smiles passed around generously, I stupidly bumped into someone. That someone turned out to be the inexplicably beautiful Erin O’Connor… *cheeks flush* *heart falls out my mouth*. Thankfully I didn’t get rugby wrestled to the ground by boulders of security men, and all was well if not slightly embarrassing.
A short while later I was taking my seat and apologising to the attendees seated behind me, for the unnecessary size of my blinding, feathered brooch.

I always love student fashion: it’s so fresh and fun, especially in today’s era when many of these young designers are completely smashing down the boundaries of fashion, which for me is truly inspiring. So my excitement for the pending collections was oozing.
The show started with a series of awards doled out by various celebs to un-expecting students. When I say un-expecting I’m completely serious: there were a group of students out back having a desperate fag, when one of their names was called. To the hosts (Caryn Franklyn) dismay they were not there to collect their award and scampered back through the audience, in a panicked frenzy once someone had run out to tell her the news.
The last award for ‘Most Inspiring Person’ was voted for by British fashion students, and was awarded to Lee Alexander McQueen. The award was received by the CEO of McQueen who gave a very emotional and inspiring speech at which point stifled inhales to hold back genuine sadness was heard throughout the venue.
After the awards were received, the back drop disappeared to reveal a scaffolding draped in models, who very carefully yet precisely climbed down the steep stairs and took to the runway. And so the graduates show commenced.
Menswear is getting more and more exhilarating and many of the graduate’s collections emulated this and then pushed it even further.Here a few of my favourites from the week.

Alena Tikhonova

This was such an outstanding collection in the flesh. The detail and precision of the garments was completely dazzling. It was yet another collection that I would happily be the proud owner of every single piece. I was lucky enough to be introduced to the graduates tutor and I also received an invite from her to attend their version of GFW in Russia. Yes please!

Antonia Lloyd

When I saw this collection I thought if you tightened the shorts you could quite easily be looking at a Calvin Klein collection. Future CK designer maybe? And the bib shirt: I’ll take it in every colour, thanks.

Bobby Charles Abley

Oh, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby if you’re reading this, will you be my BFF and make all my clothes please? I am completely in love with this collection and would wear (here’s hoping) every single piece right down to the rubber gloves. Even if you remove the eye-catching bondage wear you’re still left with a remarkable collection full of pioneering shapes, textures, colour and patterns. I love it!

Gary James Butterfield

Garry produced a really innovative collection, including huge sheep and goat skin coats with patterns burnt into them, layers of billowing fabric, drop crotch pants and a to-die-for Barbour-esque cape.

Katie Barrett

Katie fashioned a collection of loose fit cottons and flowing Man-skirts, chunky knits and mould-stain print jackets all in mute greys and blacks, teamed with traffic light red socks, Tees and belts. I think the overall look of this collection is a real trend setter.

Thomasin Gautier-Ollerenshaw

When Thomasin’s collection came out I had to repress the desire to stand up. This knitwear collection is so fun and although very eccentric, it’s wearable. Everytime I look at this collection I smile, that is exactly what fashion is all about for me. Check out the candy orange clogs, future trend?

Thomas Crisp

Winner of the Menswear award, Thomas created an accessible, ready to wear collection featuring a Man skirt, lots of leather and some exquisite tailoring. Simple yet eccentric! I actually bumped into Thomas in Earls Court tube station after the event and congratulated him and marvelled at his award. Congratulations again Thomas.

The Show is Over

Without delay, as soon as the last ovation was complete, no one hesitated in dashing to the after party. Which was a lovely, bustling square of chit chat and high spirited graduates, press, supporting celebs and industry massives, all being crammed full of Champagne, falafel, beer, wine, chicken and the most AMAZING mini cheese cakes. I’m pretty sure they weren’t the Iceland ?1 variety. Before long Kiss100 DJ Neev took to the decks and let’s just say when you fill a busy fash-pack with booze and blast the speakers you get one hell of a party…
On my departure, slightly too full of red wine and beer, and franticly trying to kill the urge to cab it to Soho for the after, after party, I was stopped by a street style pap to take my picture… it turned out she was so wasted she couldn’t turn her camera on.
Big Love,
Jacob Kamara
If you follow me on twitter you may already know, however if not, I’m working on some exclusive write-ups for a couple of the graduate menswear designers, so keep an eye out.

Extreme Men’s Fashion – Face Jewellery

When Art and Fashion Collide

The boundaries between art and fashion can sometimes be a million miles apart, however in some cases, these very same boundaries can disappear entirely. Whilst the ‘Non-Fashpack’ are fumbling through immense bargain bins, overflowing with 100% polyester and stocking up on Asda (WalMart) ?2.99, stone wash denim bootlegs and marvelling over the practicality of an all-in-one shirt, jumper, tie combo. You know the kind.
At the same time as cash registers at cheap, mass-produced outlets are filling up on dirty coins, zealous fashionistas are expressing there personalities and avid inspirations the only way they know how: ‘artistic expression’ in fashion. I know that sounds a smidgen corny, however walking around your local superstore does make one consider whether getting dressed really is an art that some are, unfortunately, not gifted with…
I tend to live in my own little stratosphere in my head, where elves whiz around on glow in the dark clouds (actually chavs in supped up Vauxhall Nova’s) and damsels with lustrous tresses hang out of windows, yearning for prince charming to arrive on Pegasus (often known as a whore house). The idea of realism 24/7 is just too much for me. Us modern day populace live high-speed, often precarious lives, the lust for escapism is fundamental to survival. I don’t mean that in a literal sense, but being liberated in one aspect helps you deal with woe and general day to day crap in other aspects of life. Throughout the ages people have used fashion and image as a means of escapism; whether it be tribal, carnival wear or snappy dinner attire.

My latest musing falls into the category where the boundaries are so far from existence you could debate whether there could ever be one at all: Face Jewellery. No, I’m not talking a fancy nose ring or a gemmed labret. I’m talking full on, Salvador Dali-esque, seriously uncomfortable, face accessories.
In recent months the desire to have a bit more enjoyment with fashion has become more popular, and as a consequence this has opened up a market for some crazy accessory designers. Although designers have always sent intimidatingly OTT headwear and accessories down the runway, they’re starting to become more accessible. Personally, after working a 40 hour week, and squeezing in the time to write, blog, hit the gym and grab the odd pint with friends, I feel that I have the right to stick an oversized spider covered in studs to my face or replace my eyebrows with LEGO bricks. If that’s what it takes to get a moment of escape.
Coco and Breezy are a pair of young eye accessory designers based in New York and are slowly breaking into the industry. Their eccentric eye wear is starting to pop up on the faces of quirky well-knowns like the Gaga-nater, Rihanna and Amber Rose.
The design duo, also identical twin sisters, produce a vast range of generally ready-to-wear accessories, ridiculously cool eye patches and some super impressive shades.
Their latest collection 2020 is sure to score them a place in the hearts of many an accessory lover. Whether it’s a necklace made out of pure chaos or a pair of shades crafted out of a bullet dented, sheet of metal, their brain children are sure to get your pulses racing.
Sophie Duran based in Rotterdam, has created a collection of facial jewellery called ‘the Imperfectionist’: the collection is based on the increased cosmetic surgery market and the distinctiveness of beauty without plastic surgery. As more people go under the knife to look more ‘beautiful,’ the beauty in individuality is lost.

“Imperfection gives expression, expression gives power of attraction.
Plastic surgery and media influences are examples why people all over the world are beginning to look more the same. That is a waste! It is scientifically proved, the more average, the less attractive. Individual unique characteristics make people attractive. Therefore, I designed four jewels for the face; with these the user can define the intensity of his expression. With a pump, you can blow up your lips in any desirable dimension, you can attach chains to a grill in the corners of your mouth, a blue moustache can be curled in different heights and meters of lashes can be wound up”.

As a result, Duran has created four individual pieces of face jewellery. An intriguing pair of inflatable lips, with an added hand pump for the (im)perfect pout. A chain embellished grill for the ultimate metal mouth, also pretty handy if you struggling with your diet. Spectacle frames with meters of false eyelashes, and a handle to wind them up and down to any desired length. The most beautiful of mustaches, crafted from what looks like a steam punk Train/beetle that can be curled and twizzled to different heights and shapes. You can switch from a Salvador Dali upright to a handle bar in seconds.
However un-practical these pieces are, there’s no doubting their beauty. I mean just think, you get home from a long, hard days work the last thing you want is to be sticking on eyelashes or preening that ‘tache for a quickie down the local. Problems solved!
Joking aside, most of the pieces I’ve seen are really beautiful and if you aren’t daring enough to don a pair of self plumping lips or a mechanical, beating, crystal heart in your hair you can always stick it on your fireplace and pull it out for failing dinner parties, it’s sure way to get the conversations rolling.
Big love,
Jacob Kamara

Hot Or Not: Men’s Fashion Turban

Introduction

So this season I’m all over Millinery; from the upward flat peak cap to the Pillbox Pirate hat that’s slowly making appearances on the heads of boundary pushes. I’m even dabbling in those big avant-garde things that provoke such reactions as, “Will the person in the second row please remove the duvet from their head immediately”, or “Is that an entire Sea Gull nesting in your barnet?”.
I don’t know when my fixation for shoes transpired into headwear – maybe it’s down to the fact that my schedule allows me no time at all to coax my hair out of the back-combed birds nest I woke up with. Or perhaps it hasn’t dissipated at all, but merely added to the vast whirlpool of sartorial madness that is my life. My only hang up is that I get the worst headaches when I dabble in millinery. Looks like I’ll be changing my weekly order of Blistease and plasters to a hefty prescription of 4head.
So here it is, my latest love affair – the one that’s really got me foaming at the mouth and chomping at the bit, the Turban. No, that’s not a typo, your eyes aren’t deceiving you.

The Fashion Turban

Brought back into fashion recently due to the incredibly un-remarkable and ever so condescending film that was Sex and the City 2 *shakes head in distaste*, the Turban, in all its glory, has been popping up on peoples heads in the last year and quite speedily became a staple piece of headwear for any girls wardrobe.
The Turban in fact was originally brought into fashion for western women in the early 19th century and then again in late 1910 by Paul Poiret, (the self proclaimed king of fashion and the first ever couturier) due to his fascination with Orientalism. The Turban or wrap hat went on to become one of the most worn head garments of the 1920s.
OK fashion history lesson over.
Let me get back to the point. Last week I was perusing the sartorial happenings on the streets, blogs and such like, when it suddenly dawned on me that a large amount of apparel savvy guys are starting to wear Turbans within their outfits. What was even more surprising was how good they looked even with a basic, loose fit t-shirt and jeans ensemble.
The Spring/Summer 11 runways saw fashion forward designers such as Carolyn Massey incorporate the Turban and head wrap into their future collection – and as Massey works so closely with Topman I foresee the Turban becoming men’s fashion headwear of choice, come next Spring. No doubt it’ll be dubbed the ‘Turbman’ for those that need extra some reassurance that it is now truly a MAN’s garment…

My Experience

To test the still murky water I decided I would give the turban a spin, coincidently my bird’s nest of a barnet was really in a state of disrepair that morning so it was happy days all round really. I decided not to cheat and buy a ready wrapped Turban but instead try my hand at wrapping it myself. It just so happens that a good friend of mine spent some time travelling the middle east a few years ago and treated me to a turban wrapping lesson on her return, so I was semi confident I could achieve my desired swathe. The best and easiest thing of all was that I just used a previously abandoned, starched crinkle scarf I had lying around.
With my Turban tying a success and my head wrapped tighter than my sisters Christmas gift wrapping, I made in the direction of Oxford Street. Let me tell you, the reception was amazing. People smiled… and if you travel around London often, you’ll know that’s not a regular. People held doors for me, yet another act Londoners don’t exercise willingly. And lastly, I got street papped twice.
So the verdicts in, and I love it. At last, a use for the thousands of unwanted scarves dotted randomly around my entire wardrobe. If that doesn’t swing it, think of the extra time in bed now you don’t have to spend an hour fixing your doo.

Editor Addition: Turban Tying

Without trying (or wanting) to offend any Religion or foreign customs, I went searching on Youtube for an instruction video for tying a turban/head wrap and found quite a simple and effective one which I thought made it quite easy to do. Of course this is NOT traditional and NOT the correct way to do it for faith or religion, she does NOT use the correct item – instead using a simple scarf like Jacob was mentioning above in his article. So maybe you can give it a go at home now and let us know the results:
Like I said, this is not a traditional video, but one that can help you make use of your scarves at home. There are however hundreds of videos on Youtube showing you how to do it using traditional methods and items, should you wish to view them.

Hot or Not?

So what are your thoughts on the whole turban trend:

• Something you could pull off?
• How would you wear it?
• Never to be heard from again?
• Not enough designers/high street shops will push it?
• The big trend in headwear next year?

We want to know what you think in the comments below!

Scarf Picks For Turban Tying

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Thank you for reading this post, feel free to get involved below and let me know whether you agree or disagree with this story. Do you like the products selected? Have anything extra you would like to add? Add your comments and make yourself heard!

Men’s Spring/Summer Fashion Trend: Soft Tailoring

Introduction

The turn of a new year is an opportunity to add yet another rule to living.
Any edict affixed will be one spoke about in utter disregard come the time spring has sprung Mayfair into your left jacket pocket.
Let’s say that 2011 is the year of – but is not left to – chance.
A set or a series of circumstances that allow you to change every nuance of your one man show. If the rule you already plan to break can’t involve the abstinence of nicotine adoration, make it a labour to improve.
Perhaps it’s a good thing you already plan to break your rule because ‘Be yourself’ is about the worst advice you can give to some people.

Moving into SS11

The spring/summer months are conjoined by name but apart in their necessitate. The confident man will give a barber the least amount of worry as he will sit in the chair – mirror facing – point straight forward and say, “make me look like him”. It’s the type of sanguine discourse that needs to follow in your preparation for the months ahead.
The trends that emerge preceding any removal of coats often fluctuate around the concept of a ‘like-clockwork’ variable. Colour, cut, lines, texture, print…you get the clichéd idea.
I could bet my bottom Christmas giftcard every year off the back of tailoring. Last year saw tailored shorts usher us into the short suit (often greeted by the unexpected wearer). In the spring and in the summer of the oh-11 we’ll be taking on a trend that won’t be put off until the pins are suitably displayed.

Men’s SS11 Fashion Trend: Soft tailoring

Soft tailoring – sometimes referred to as relaxed tailoring – is the dumbing down of suit. The reason I choose to call it soft, rather than relaxed, is to avoid causing relaxed attitudes. Designers this season won’t be pushing exact fit on you, in fact, exactly the opposite.
Creases and folds look good on a man; call your suit Clooney if it helps at all. Suits erring around your frame rather than dragging on the floor is still a cardinal sin so don’t take it into your own hands. Cheap(er) suits flocked to market like sheep a good few seasons and many FashionBeans posts ago.
The high street in SS11 will be daring you to dabble in suits that act less like a suit. Jackets that slouched where their Mummas told them not to. And trousers that fancy saying F-U, I’m off work today.
They’ll be ushering you to go off-kilter with your pairing. Relaxed-fitting suits are to be paired with jersey basics and carefully considered accessories. The shock horror when a Sheppard (metaphoric, sorry farmers) decided he wasn’t a sheep and paired his blazer with a t-shirt soon died down after the gaspers soon realised… it looks bloody good! Spring and summer of this year is about making the gaspers gasp once again for a further five minutes.
The structured blazer against the rough grain of a t-shirt is to be replaced. Rough all round.
We’re taking your prim and proper suit, and making it dirty. Something you feel required to take on a weekend away just so your wife doesn’t meet her.

Soft Tailoring on Lookbook:

The looks featured on lookbook.nu, and the ones at the end of this piece*, are still using structured blazers as part of their dress up to dress down. It won’t be until the spring/summer collections drop at the close of February and the come around of March that lookbookers will be flocking to show off their relaxed tailored finds. Take from the pictures their ability to guise the stiff structure with neutral colour pallets, styling and accessories.

When attempting this in the sprung spring, keep in mind the need not to over-bundle yourself up top. The attraction of the trend is the ‘I don’t give a f*ck-ness’ so a relaxed blazer with a snood, with a low-hang chain, with a broach, with a pocket square and with your wayfarers (or nearest relevance) hanging off of the cuff might be a little too much. Don’t you think? No? Come back in a few months.

Trend Secret: Linen Suits

The secret behind every menswear buyer’s lips is the linen suit. Now not all may be picking this up just yet, but the ones who have are telling you about it with a wink and a nudge. The linen suit is the traditional man’s summer stitch. Far from what is popularly believed, it’s not a busman’s holiday.
The material is what is going to be behind making this trend accessible throughout that summer we all predict/hope for/result in dismay over. Linen is made from the fibres of a plant. Serial dress-god, Hardy Amies describes it as having “a distinctive smooth shiny surface and keeps it pretty well throughout its life”.
Linen is the lightweight alternative when it comes to opposing the heavy gauge of traditional suits. The breathable material is one that is not only suited for summer but also for the trend. It creases with more class than just being creased and with each crease you get your own unique style.
Often found in America (with awful pleated pants), these suits are going to be the one to watch on the English high street. Opt out of the expected beige and stone colours seen over the pond and put a stamp on British fashion by going as bold or as slick as you like.

Dressing down your suit:

Going into this style, you’re always going to be compared with the wall of truth that people have been dressing down the blazer for years going from one extreme to the next, so aren’t you just the next stepping-stone in the process?
This trend is not about pushing a previous, but an effort to create a new one. We’re not to go over your attempt at the Mona-Lisa that is so bad it’s blasphemous. We’ve gone and brought a new canvas and locked the liquor cupboard.
The laid back approach to franticly compiling this look is what makes it so uneasyful. What I mean by making absolutely no sense at all (and throwing in the occasional made up word) is that you cannot be seen to give a sh*t.
The basic levelling of rules applies as ever.

• Where layering is concerned keep pieces thinner towards the skin.
• Don’t outshine, steal the thunder of or rain on the parade of your focus. If your main piece is your creased and wrinkled blazer don’t add the entire contents collected by the forty-thieves.
• Play with breaking the suits colours, dressing up, dressing down, over-sizing (under-sizing not so much) because it’s a playful trend. If you take it seriously, you’re suddenly wearing a suit and if you do it half heartedly, you’re wearing a suit badly.

Our vaudeville heritage means the British like showing off, but we don’t like to be seen to show off. As with any trend, it’s a façade of how you want to be perceived with how you’re dressed for the day. Here are a few FashionBeans compiled lookbooks to not giving a sh*t – while actually giving many – through the tailoring trend of SS2011. *

Look Book

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Agree with us?

Thank you for reading this post, feel free to get involved below and let me know whether you agree or disagree with this story. Do you like the products selected? Have anything extra you would like to add? Add your comments and make yourself heard!

High Fashion Report – Meggings

Meggings

Early last week I took a visit to the London College of Fashion and I have to admit, I felt incredibly inferior on arrival. After all, these young, avant-garde and incredibly tall creatures are the next generation of the fashion industry. If that’s not enough intimidation to cause your senses to collapse into a puddle of gibbering goo, there’s always the fact that some of the student-fashionistas make Lady Gaga look like another high-street window shopper.
The major trend I spotted circulating amongst the boys was meggings or man-leggings teamed with huge, loose fit, cotton Tees. It seems the skinny jean has been given the boot and replaced by a whole new level of skinniness. I must admit that I do love this look: it’s simple, easy, and practical, being that most of these boys spend a lot of their time in a studio. The downside: all of these guys were very tall and very slim and I definitely think it’s a trend only to be donned by the long legged “iron-board-boys”
OK, I know this trend has been ridiculed more often than Hitler but (this is where I get on my ‘Fashion Equality’ high horse) if certain girls can go out in skin tight jumpsuits, badly crafted from cheap net curtains, with nothing but two plasters keeping them dignified and lawful, then us boys can wear spray-on-tight leggings. However, oversized upper wear is essential. No one needs to see your (in the words of my Nan) meat and two veg clad in shiny, skin-tight spandex. Ever! *ahem* moving on.

One of the forecasted trends for next season’s menswear is Man-leggings under shorts. Cargo, denim even micro-suit shorts. When I first saw this future trend, I couldn’t help thinking I had seen it before. After a short while I discovered why. In 2007 Sam Sparro wore ripped, denim shorts over new-rave print Meggings in one of his music videos. In fact I think he debuted digital print leggings way before they hit the shelves of PRI-MARNI and went global, but I think it’s only in the last couple of seasons that menswear has acquired this new element of fun and that’s why it is catching now and didn’t three years ago.

I have also seen guys wearing Man-leggings as part of an uber-skinny suit or with the oversized, low-cut T and blazer ensemble. In-fact the Senior Commissioning Editor of British GQ recently conducted a personal experiment and decided to don a pair of black sequined leggings conjured up by Belgian designer Martin Margiela as part of a casual day suit.

“the response was fantastic. This must be how an X Factor winner feels the morning after the vote. Pretty girls smiled, tourists stopped me for a shoulder-hugging snap, builders wolf-whistled and colleagues cheered (mostly).”

I think he looks awesome [Below far right], and if he strolled into my office I would definitely be a cheerer. I mean come on it’s so much more fun than wearing black suit pants:

I haven’t yet ventured into the world that is the megging, not through any intention to avoid it but for the pure fact that I can’t seem to find a pair of shoes that don’t make me look like I’m just about to go water skiing… maybe it’s also a trend just for guys with small feet? [I think the meggings pushed up under shorts shown above would be the way round this? Ed]