The Nod To The 90's Look Book

It's all gone a bit 'nod to the 90's.

To avoid just being recalled simply as a dandy, must you empower the ideologies of 90's man? Revel in the thoughts that the web will never take off, your butler-'bot will make a sensational coffee every morning; and not to mention awaiting the second coming of Jesus like an out-of-schedule bus. You wait forever and then, who knows, two might come along.

Fortunately this time around I'm not here to cultivate you into failing to recognise Dale Winton's tendencies or stand in shock of Clinton's admissions. So therefore if this post does not exonerate the 90's dandy, it serves little or no purpose.

I will leave the grooming apportionment to the grooming team. I will graciously allow them to wade through unruly man-rugs and a time when the discussion of face wash was based on what scent your bar of soap is. It is my job to bring that 'saved by the bell' ensemble into the 'saved by the style shrink'.

Characteristics of the look have been cropping up all over the fashion board. Denim here, pastels there, throw in a few neon's that you dare to fashion and you're half way retro! The naughty nineties (can anyone suggest a better name?) was an era of achievement and excitement in fashion. A furore for British society erupted as we led the way in producing the finest product this country has ever seen… myself.

Okay, enough self inflation. I am going to be showing you three key ways to pull off the back to the future (not literally) look this SS10.

Look 1 – Acid-ant

This look pulls on the denim craze of the late 90's. It was everywhere and it was contagious (in a good way, not like polio or anything). Recently it's all been coming back like phone numbers to a Alzheimer's patient. The acid wash shirt epitomises what was the acid youth look in all its rapscallion rebelliousness. There was only one way to wear shorts post eighties and that was as the name suggests, short. No board shorts or three quarter length fancies here (which personally I hate anyway – you're either wearing shorts or trousers).

If you are a nineties child, or what you just generally thought was an abused child, then you would have fashioned jellies at some point. The use of this belt from AllSaints vintage is a clear indication that jelly could be creeping back, especially in this trend. The transparency of the belt gives the colour a pastel hue which is key to maximise the nineties feel.

Look 2 – Dapper Dickie

I cater for the English so where would I stand if I didn't feature a jumper? Sneer at my summer optimism if you will. Recently everyone has been loving the round neck & collar layering look. Statistically 1 in 4 men (a statistic I just made up) have toyed with swapping their generic v neck & collar combination for this one.

Colour coordination is not about wearing all the same colours, it is a variation of knowledge, skill and having an open mind. The art is needed no where greater than in this look. The bold colours of the shirt, bow tie & chinos liven up the almost conservative jumper. This is a prime example of making basics, work. The pick of the outfit for me has to be the Rieker Glen sandal. When congregating your summer wardrobe really take time on your shoes. They are far too often overlooked as a piece that genuinely can make or break your aesthetic. Look for ways you can branch out into new, unknown styles and remember that the faithful brogue will be there to break your fall.

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Look 3 – The Pick of the Pastels

Like an eccentric art teacher, I am going to tell you to pick up your pastels. Pastels, even on their own, are big for SS10. They are a great way of using colour if your skin tone means you are washed out by neon hues. Ben may hate me for featuring a gilet (due to his own person convictions) but I wanted to debunk a fashion myth. For me, SS10 is all about trying new things and encouraging others to do the same. People assume with any form of gilet must be a sleeved sort layered underneath. Granted in the past months where the gilet begun to shine it was a necessity. Now however, sleeveless layering is not a faux pas by any means.

There is no necessity to mix pastels and neons, especially for the reason first stated. Regardless of whether you chose mix pastels & neon, favour full neon or back full pastel, make sure your look emanates the 90's culture throughout to have a great look for Spring & Summer.

The Sign Off

Signing off is always an important factor for me. Not just as a writer. But as a person. You wouldn't catch me mid-sentence walk away from someone leaving the other person hanging in conversational limbo. 'A true gentlemen' is a phrase to often used, yet not used often enough in the right context. Any person can say 'a true gentleman' would do what my opinionated self perceives as standard. It is years of conditioning that allows us to define what said gentleman should do.

A true gentleman would sign off.