Monochrome
Fast off the runways of both Milan and London Fashion weeks came the sartorial favourite of monochrome, a trend which is as striking as it is accessible. With the nightmare of snow melting into a distant memory, don’t worry that adopting a monochromatic wardrobe shall reawaken the dread of living under the dull haze of winter. Instead a wholly neutral palette emboldens menswear, enhancing one’s figure to that of a confident yet sincere student. Coveting this trend can be as simple as layering a white t-shirt, grey cardigan and black blazer as seen at Emporio Armani ,and since these items are omnipresent in the wardrobes of even the least fashion conscious guy, lacking style in 2011 is inexcusable.
Bold colours
Yet if you approach such quiet tones with the same lack of enthusiasm as an imminent deadline, fear not, for unapologetically bold menswear also features heavily on the SS 2011 runways. Such strong colours in menswear should be disregarded unless your confidence matches this formidable fashion statement. Wear it bold, wear bravely and in particular, wear electric blue. Shown from Prada in Milan to James Long in London, electric blue is masculine yet daring and unquestionably the colour of the season. Should wearing an electric blue suit be too outrageous, swap your pastel Ralph Lauren sweater for a stronger colour instead. Rather than attempting (and inevitably failing) at the perennial New Year’s resolutions of drinking less, studying more etc, head down to Uniqlo for simple, colourful knitwear and resolve to make 2011 your most fashionable year yet.
Street wear
The undeniably cool trend, street wear, once again showed itself to be key to 2011 menswear. Strutting down the runway with boorish aloofness, this trend seems to have been crafted for the merits of London’s student population. Nowhere else can throwing together an outfit with rugged disinterest, crudely topped with a beaten leather jacket, provoke such fashion recognition. Stumbling into that morning seminar after sports night needn’t be embarrassing, for this look demands a nonchalance which can only be aided by dark eyes and unkempt hair. Burberry’s creative director, Christopher Bailey, himself cited the unpolished look of Mods and Rockers as inspiration for his SS 2011 collection. So it is up to you to throw on those tattered jeans, a tight t-shirt and leather jacket and take to Gower Street with complete apathy.
