SS21 men's fashion: New era of self-expression
FIND NEW FASHION FRONTIERS
Many of us have understandably lost momentum when it comes to getting dressed. But maybe this is the perfect opportunity to discover something new and explore a braver side of ourselves. For starters, wearing bright colors is an easy win for improving your mood - JW Anderson, Bottega Veneta and Marni have it in spades this season, brightening up any rainy day. Exploring deeper, earth-conscious designers like Bethany Williams , who champions upcycling, and community-driven brands like Labrum London , whose collections feature untold stories from West Africa, make design a strong message - a (elegant) way to express yourself and your values, without saying a word.
MIX AND (MIS)MATCH
Have you found yourself wearing any, shall we say, unorthodox outfits over the past year? I thought so - but we bet a few have opened the doors to clothing combinations you may not have considered before. A designer who always frees up space for new ideas, Virgil Abloh said of his latest Off-White collection : "I thought of this muse, kind of half businessman, half young teenager - and how they can crash together." Channel that childhood playfulness and new experimental side of yourself. How about a hiking vest with a collared jacket? Rubber boots with tailored pants? Colliding prints? Patchwork jeans? Why not!
RECONDITIONING THE CLASSICS
Trench coats. Ties. Tristripe from Adidas. All mainstays of the men's wardrobe for as long as we can remember. How to shake things up a bit? Alexander McQueen's answer is a spliced, reversible version of a belted trench coat, part of a collection created during lockdown that drew inspiration from archive styles and unsold fabrics. Ties – as neglected as office water coolers these days – have appeared as belts at Versace and in shirt fabrics at Craig Green . Grace Wales Bonner , meanwhile, said of her collaboration with adidas Originals, "I wanted to elevate the familiar and bring bespoke eveningwear and sensibility to this essential collection." Across these designers' collections, the evolution of traditional menswear 'uniforms' gives you free rein - when you find what works for you, go for it.