Trends: Spring 2008
Experts tell us that we are coming out of a strong buying cycle, where shoppers have stuffed their closets to the max. They say that fashion tends to get boring, with few runway shaking innovations after such a cycle. Say it ain’t so!
Okay, it ain’t so. As a matter of fact, the men’s progressive fashion industry has never been so strong. There are a rash of men’s labels that are creating fresh designs set to hit your local specialty shops this spring. Best of all, consumers are flexing their muscle, rejecting industry manufactured trends in favor of styles that better reflect their tastes.
Shirts - It’s Rock ‘n Roll Baby!
The trend from long sleeve, button front wovens to tee shirts continues unabated. While tee shirts like those from LA-based Hard 8 (www.urbanbody.com/designer/HAR8) have been sporting modest embellishments the last few seasons, middle America has warmed to this trend. And, as usual, it’s not done until it is overdone. Look for busier, more attention-getting shirts to make their way onto muscled torsos coast-to-coast.
While skulls and tattoo art refuse to die (get it?!), we are seeing a slow transition to more diversified art on tee shirts. Look for the eagle crest to fly onto your radar screen this spring. Just about every designer was showing this graphic in their spring, summer and fall collections. Religious icons continue to be strong through the summer.
There are some bitchin’ new labels out there that are worthy of mention. They include Rebel Spirit, DCVR (pronounced Deceiver), Bulzeye and Doctrine. Look for the inevitable backlash on over-distributed lines like Ed Hardy and Affliction. Customers who spent money on these shirts to be cool no longer feel special now that everyone has them.
In the category of über cool (minus the bling) comes a line that has been around for years - Division E. (www.urbanbody.com/designer/DIVE) designer Victoria Benmoshe has added new talent to her graphics team, and the results are remarkable. While remaining true to the spirit of what has become the Division E look, the spring collection for this label is it’s best yet. It remains masculine, hip, and very wearable.
V-neck tees continue to have a noticeable presence and show every sign of getting stronger through the summer months. Deep scoop v-neck tee shirts that reveal skin from neck to nipple are in for the physically fit and terminally hip. One caution, lower cut v’s are fine if you have the chest to pull it off. Without a pumped chest these shirts don’t hang correctly.
Denim - Tattered, Trashed and Torn
The denim industry is going through another shake up. For several seasons now, denim companies have told us that denim was trending cleaner and darker. And in some colder pockets of the country that may have been the case. But overall, consumers rejected the look. Guys simply are not finished with light to medium washes that indicate casual comfort. Furthermore, they want their denim to reflect their inner rock star. Look for denim to return to more worn, torn and well traveled embellishments. That means the return of “deconstruction”. Whether it be full-on tears or pocket abrasions, denim will reflect a more active lifestyle.
Denim legs will continue to be more shaped. Sloppy relaxed fits and baggy jeans left the denim scene a few seasons ago and show no signs of return. The good news is that the look is sexy. The bad news is that guys with monster quads will continue to forego comfort for fashion.
It was inevitable. All that bling on tee shirts and wovens has made the jump to denim. Look for denim companies to roll out pocket art and imaginative use of studs and stones. Leading the charge on this is newcomer, Los Angeles based, Laguna Beach Jeans Co.
On the downside, more progressive denim labels are favoring production of a single, long, 34" inseam. 1921 Jeans (www.urbanbody.com/designer/1921) has joined the chorus by announcing that they will no longer produce denim in 32” inseams. This is the most irksome of denim trends. In the short term, guys with shorter inseams who want top denim labels will continue to have to get their denim hemmed. The key to this is to have the original hem removed and reattached. A standard hem on denim can be spotted a mile away and takes away from the overall look of the jean.
On the upside, denim prices continue to moderate. 1921 Jeans (again) announced that they are reducing denim prices across the board.
I am going to go out on a limb here and suggest that by next spring we will see the re-emergence of cotton twill pants as an alternative to denim. In addition to the full cut cargo twills, keep your eye out for 5 pocket denim cut twill pants. They will have more shape and a sexier fit than the cargo design. At least two designers were talking about this at market this winter. One designer, Garth Cabral, who is back with a vengeance, is introducing this twill in his 2008 fall collection.
Other Stories That Need To Be Told
Shorts are going to be very colorful this summer. You’ll be seeing plaid in every color palette imaginable. In addition, after flirting with the style for the last couple of years, look for 3/4 shorts with a Mediterranean flair to finally make the jump across the pond onto the American scene. The fabrics will be more luxurious (light weight cottons and linen) and the fit will be tailored. Think of new world youth with old world wealth stepping off a yacht in St. Tropez and you’ll have the look!
Hats are making a big comeback as the accessory of choice. Updated fedoras, pork pies, driving caps, cadets, knit beanies, baseball caps…it doesn’t matter…hats are hot!
Finally, feeling spiritual? Keep your eye out for beaded rosaries to adorn the necks of the young and soon-to-be famous! This is the hottest new trend in fashion jewelry. It is the perfect accessory for deep scoop v-neck tee shirts. And, don’t be afraid to layer your neck with several chains. One tip, if we hear you coming from a block away you have probably overdone it!
See more fashion tips at
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