For men, this season includes big, bold prints and even bolder colors.
“[We’re seeing] everything from a small dot, like a polka dot-esque look, to anything as loud as bold florals or spread-out stripes,” said Jacob Peregrin at Blue Seven, 7518 N. May.
Don’t let the patterns and bright colors scare you. It’s easy to pull off the latest items on the must-have list while still being able to maintain your signature style.
“Do something fun. Rock some bright red socks that no one will see until you cross your legs,” Peregrin said.
The shoes are a completely different story. Before putting last season’s shoe trends to the back of your closet, you might find some use for them this season.
“Some of the boots we’ve gotten in are a hiking boot, but you can dress them up with khakis,” said Daniel Walcher of Shoe Gypsy, 6434 Avondale. This look coincides with the men’s fashion story that the store is telling this season. “We’re doing something I would call woodsman-chic, stuff you can wear to work and on the weekends,” he said.
Shoe Gypsy provides an array of affordable shoes and trendy threads from which to pick. Blue Seven is also offering something similar this season with comfortable shoes by Pumaowned Swedish brand Tretorn.
“They offer a tennis shoe comfort with a casual styling. It’s almost a dress shoe. They’ve done really well for [the] casual-crossover guy,” said Peregrin.
This shoe eases the transition between comfortable sneakers to the big-boy shoes that the office requires. “Embrace the nice shoe. It’s not only going to look good, but it’s also going to last you forever,” said Peregrin.
Show some leg
Nice shoes at the bottom, prints up top, and Daisy Dukes in the middle?
“Embrace a shorter
short,”said Peregrin. “Not necessarily something that’s riding up on
you, but [a short] that breaks above the knee.”
Retailers
also are offering khakis and brightly colored denim to help keep you
comfortably in style. Try cuffing your pants at the bottom and bringing
attention to your new shoes or eye-catching socks.
One
thing to remember is that the trends are not for everyone. While they
look great on the runway and they may even elicit some “ooh”s and
“aah”s, some men should stick to the basics. Mix and match with both.
You can fill your wardrobe with classic items that will always be in
style and still stay hip by incorporating a trendy fit.
It’s a concept Shop Good, 3 N.W.
Ninth, is pushing this season.
“It’s simplified. We’re doing a lot of clean button-ups and polos,” said store owner Justin Falk.
Patronizing
Shop Good also supports the work of Sunbeam Family Services, and the
store sources items from nonprofit organizations and manufacturers that
prioritize social justice. It stocks items that will fit into your
budget.
“All of our clothing is under $100.
The denim is right at $100,” said coowner Audrey Falk.
Spending $100 or less on a quality item is a great buy, but when your last Benjamin Franklin has to be
used to keep the electricity on, staying stylish can be a challenge.
The friendly staff at Heart & Hand Thrift Center, 7901 N.W. 23rd in
Bethany, can help you find one-of-a-kind pieces.
“We have a lot of things not currently in stores,” said manager Jordan Morris.
Thrifting provides an inexpensive way to stock up on blazers, accessories and fun T-shirts.
“If you have $20 in your pocket, you can walk out with a full outfit,” Morris said.
There is misconception, he noted, that shopping at thrift stores only provides buyers with hand-me-downs.
“We get [clothes] new with tags, even straight off the rack,” he said.
Whether
you’re getting measured for new clothes at an appointmentonly boutique
or scavenging the city for a bargain, tie your look together with
confidence. It’s the one trend that never goes out of style.
