Men’s style has often been defined by an understated supporting role at red carpet events; a legacy that break-away looks like athleisure and streetwear only enhance in comparison. So does men’s fashion matter – or more pertinentently – when a man is dressed properly, is he being fashionable at all?
Of course, men love dressing up as much as any woman, but – it could be argued – proper men’s style starts and ends with the suit, who’s purpose is not to steal the room like a woman’s knockout one-piece can.
Of course a sense of colour, proportion and cut can add gravity to any man’s entrance, while options like length of the jacket and cuff, shoulder silhouette and accompanying shirt/shoes reveal a lot about the sensibility of the wearer.
The metrosexual revolution of the early 00s – a healthy reaction to dress down Friday’s – has promoted (re) attention to detail on multiple levels, aided by a broadening of man’s sexual/social identity that means once frowned-upon takes are – if not common place – then at least part of a more daring palette.
But men’s fashion should be about inviting those with good eyes to take a look rather than playing the peacock. When dressed properly, men can use timeless standards to add colour, culturally influenced twists (sportswear and streetwear are the go-tos and modern menswear also incorporates various ethnic elements) that invite curosity and admiration (not that any self-respecting man is looking fir either).
Todd Snyder (below) has used a standard single-breasted slim suit template. The effectiveness of the look comes from the shirt’s chest and neck area – a frame for the face that is experimentally but effectively colour co-ordinated with the base. Easy and inexpensive to get right and to adapt.
