After weeks of protest from my male friends (and my father), I've decided that it's time to address the fashion of the other half of the population. Gentlemen, this column installment's for you!
I'll outline some of fall's trends in menswear and offer ways for even the most fashionably-challenged males to incorporate some style into their wardrobes. Then, since college is probably the first time that your mother isn't buying your clothes anymore (or maybe she still is - busted!), I offer some helpful introductory shopping tips.
Fall 2006 menswear can be summed up in one word: sophistication. Immaculate tailoring, luxe fabrics and fine detailing were present in every designer's runway collections.
Men's clothing has followed women's in transitioning towards a slimmer silhouette; blazers and suits have become slightly more fitted and skinny jeans have graced the legs of male celebrities as diverse as Jude Law, Lenny Kravitz, Jared Leto and the master of fashion himself, Karl Lagerfeld (he designs for Chanel and Fendi).
Knitwear is growing in men's fashion, with grandpa-style cardigans reigning as a popular look. Lightweight knits and cashmere make this a practical and comfortable wardrobe addition for fall.
The vest has also seen a resurgence in popularity in both men's and women's fashions. Whether worn under a three-piece suit or tossed casually over a t-shirt, sporting the vest is a surefire way to look fashionable without any effort.
Popular styles for outerwear this season are belted trench coats and leather or shearling jackets. The belted trench, best exemplified at Burberry, works best on slimmer physiques and adds a bit of dark mystery ? la Sherlock Holmes. The more wearable leather jacket is fitted, timeless and can easily be worn over anything from a sweatshirt to a suit: definitely a worthwhile investment.
Fashion is always influenced by world events, so it comes as no surprise that military details are big for men. Go all-out with a studded, double-breasted leather coat or simply choose a blazer with military pockets in army green. Throw it on over a rock band t-shirt, jeans and Converse shoes and you've found yourself a new fashion-forward uniform that won't appear as if you're trying too hard.
After learning what's in style, it's also important to be aware of what isn't considered appropriate fashion-wise. Ripped, faded jeans are completely out and have been replaced by dark-rinse jeans with slight sandblasting to avoid looking too clean-cut.
The massive t-shirt thing is also very unattractive. Like women, men need to wear clothing that is flattering, so pick a shirt size that flatters your body type.
Larger men should pick shirts that taper towards the waist. Skinnier men should avoid skin-tight styles that can make them look manorexic and opt for a comfortable fit that ends at the hip. Men with an athletic build shouldn't be afraid to sport a tighter, more revealing top to show off all that hard work at the gym. Just avoid the whole crop-top thing; it doesn't work for girls, and it most definitely doesn't work for boys.
Now that we've added some new terms to your fashion vocabulary, how can you go about putting knowledge into action? If you're budget-less, go to Barney's in Copley Plaza and ask for a personal shopper. You can never go wrong with Barney's, and a personal shopper will take all the guesswork out of your shopping experience.
If you're on a standard budget like the rest of us, first grab a female friend or a stylish male friend to act as your own personal shopper. There's a reason girls don't shop alone; having someone you trust is handy so that you can get an honest opinion about what suits you and what fits, and have another set of eyes scouting for articles of clothing worth trying on. (I'm also available for hire ...)
Swing by American Apparel to stock up on basic tees (138 Newbury St. and 47 Brattle St. in Harvard Square), splurge a little on jeans at either Saks or Neiman Marcus (in Copley Plaza) if you can afford to and pick up the rest at stores such as Guess for mid-priced trendy pieces (80 Newbury St. and in CambridgeSide Galleria), Express for inexpensive pieces, and Banana Republic and J. Crew for wardrobe staples (all three in Copley Plaza and CambridgeSide Galleria).
"No matter what you do," advises sophomore and Daily writer-photographer Michael Dolacky, "just look somewhat presentable and not like a complete mess." You don't have to go out and buy skin-tight pants and ruffled shirts to be fashionable. Even demoting your sweatpants to library-and-dining-hall-only status and throwing on some real shoes instead of flip-flops will do wonders to clean up your look. As emphasized in my last column, a little effort really does go a long way.
Erik Aurigemma and Michael Dolacky contributed their expertise to this column.
-Jyll Saskin is a sophomore who has not yet declared a major.
