Menswear Haute in the Cold

Fall is the epitome of change and redevelopment in fashion. Fabrics, colors and shapes shift with the imported chill and the arrival of the first rain. We excite in the new possibilities of soft cashmere sweaters, long elegant coats and the possibilities that lurk behind the many layers of warmth. This fall, menswear inspired silhouettes stir the pot juxtaposing the sexy with the androgynous. Designers like Alexander Wang, Steven Alan and Comme des Garcons offer street savvy shapes, tailored cuts and boyish loose layers perfect for mixing and matching feminine prints and ruffled blouses alike. The creativity that blooms from the freshness of fall allows for the many open ended possibilities of the new.

Comme des Garcons, designed by the Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo introduces boxy prep school –like v-neck sweaters, cardigans and polos with its signature monster eye heart lapel patch. Clothing from coveted Comme des Garcons, French for “like the boys”, is tremendously hard to hunt down within American boutiques often leaving us to simply buy accessories or perfume from this wonderful avant-garde label. Lucky for us there a few retail web sites that offer Comme des Garcons menswear sweaters available to purchase from the comfort of the couch.

Alexander Wang, another hot Fall line delivers a mix of baggy grunge shorts and pants, tailored vests, a-symmetrical zipper dresses and vagabond motorcycle bags and jackets. Wang’s fall collection supports the introduction of formal geometry and architecture, and the rebirth of 90’s grunge so prominent this fall season. He takes his inspiration from street wear and the creative style found in-between dressing up and wearing nothing at all. The brilliant mix of sensuous draping and texture with dark tones and a masculine edge of his Fall 2008 collection provide new opportunities to be casual, comfortable and haute in the cold.

However, when creativity vanishes with the sun, go with your roots. When all else fails, do what you know and go with what is guaranteed to work. Adaptability and versatility are essential as less and less skin is shown and the layers pile on. We need to know that our commitments in fashion will perform, and thus investments in classic timeless pieces are a must for big season changes. Pencil skirts, palazzo pants and button downs from Steven Alan and Alexander Wang never fail. Attention to tailoring is priority with both Alan’s and Wang’s button down designs even among loose cuts. Find them in sophisticated solid cottons and slinky silks.