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Introduction
“Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable we have to change it every six months”
Yes, that’s right, I’m starting an article off with an Oscar Wilde quote. It could be because I’ve just finished reading The Picture of Dorian Gray and now consider myself a wealth of knowledge on the man. It could be because I googled ‘fashion quotes’ and it was the first one I saw without scrolling down. I hate scrolling down. Or maybe, just maybe, it could be because I’m a cultured, educated person who can pull interesting quotes about fashion out of his dome like that.
No, you’re right – I totally googled it.
Regardless of all this, the real reason I opened up with this particular Wilde quote is because it’s true. Now that 2012 is well and truly behind us, it’s time to start thinking about the year, and seasons, ahead. Don’t get me wrong, I love it. As soon as it nears February, all I can think about is spring/summer and what I’m going to be picking up this time around (Madras blazer, people).
However, as 2012 was such a great year for menswear, and men’s fashion as a whole, I think it would a shame to just throw away everything that we learnt, just to make way for the new. There are some pieces that we all decided to get involved with last year that really deserve to be in our rotation all year round.
So, before you start drawing up lists and taking photos for your eBay account, here’s a rundown of the key pieces of 2012 that you should really look to keep rocking this New Year.
1. The Three-Piece Suit
It was only a matter of time before Savile Row had it’s time in the spotlight. With Americana old news and Italian style starting to wane, the moment was ripe for the oldest of fashion houses to step forward. And nothing summed up British elegance better than the three-piece.
Every guy looks great in one, thanks to its ability to tuck in at all the right places, and it allows you to remain sharp once the jacket comes off. For those that like to utilise their suits as separates, it’s also a great investment piece, because there are seven different ways you can wear it.
With such classic style and versatility, why would you want to stop wearing it?
- Topman Three Piece Russo Suit
- Asos Skinny Fit Suit In Black Polywool
- Asos Slim Fit Suit In Houndstooth
- Reiss Riley Two Button Single Breasted Suit Grey
- Burton Burgundy Slim Fit Suit With Waistcoat
- Burton Montague Burton Taupe Slim Fit Heritage Suit
- Asos Slim Fit Suit In Navy
- Topman Black Textured Tux Three Piece Suit
- Topman Navy Russo Three Piece Suit
2. The Brown Suit
There’s an argument to be made that this tailoring trend was gathering momentum in 2011, but 2012 was when the brown suit really hit its stride. Whether it was the perfect summer office suit in linen/cotton, or a windowpane check tweed blazer for the winter, brown was being worn everywhere (and worn well) in 2012.
The advantages of brown tailoring? It’s flattering against any skin tone and can be paired with pretty much every colour you already own – especially blue, and I know how much you guys out there love blue.
In 2013, keep your eyes peeled for bold tones such as tobacco or caramel, which can add an extra pinch of attitude to a look without becoming brash or garish.
- Reiss Pinot B Two Button Cotton Mixer Jacket Taupe
- Asos Slim Fit Suit In Pow Check
- Reiss Malt Textured Suit Mid Brown
- Burton Brown Herringbone Slim Fit Suit
3. The Smart Indigo Chambray Shirt
Oh man, I love this shirt so much.
I’ve always been a fan of chambray shirts for my casual weekend looks, but as soon as I picked up one in a formal cut from Suit Supply, it blew my mind. Due to it being stripped of any unnecessary embellishment/detailing and given a semi-spread collar, it became my secret weapon when paired with a suit.
It looks good with any tie style and can breathe new life and depth into your navy suit. Seriously, I’m not ready to let this one go.
For a more detailed look at the trend, check out Ben Jones’ article on the Gentrification of Denim.
- He By Mango Slim-fit Shirt
- Selected Chambray Shirt
- Asos Smart Shirt In Chambray
- Heritage Chambray Shirt
- Reiss Zackery Long Sleeve Denim Look Shirt Blue
- French Connection Sergei Shirt
4. The Double-Breasted Cut
This time last year, I was inundated with questions from men asking if double-breasted was going to make a comeback for 2012. And you know what I responded with? “Seriously mate, it never went away”. Or at least in my mind it didn’t.
If you take menswear seriously – and I like to think that if you’re a FashionBeans reader then you do – a double-breasted jacket is essential when it comes to those occasions you need to communicate masculinity and power.
Do yourself a favour, and never let it go out of style again.
- Topman Navy Hopsack Double Breasted Suit Jacket
- Asos Slim Fit Double Breasted Blazer
- Universal Works Lantel Tweed Manor Jacket
- Universal Works Grey Herringbone Manor Jacket
- Paul Smith – Ps 1312-169 Grey Jacket
- Luxury Sartorial Pure Wool Double Breasted Blazer
- Alexander Mcqueen Slim-fit Cotton And Wool-blend Blazer
- Uniqlo Men Trench Coat
- Reiss Hummingbird Double Breasted Wool Peacoat Navy
5. Camouflage Print & Double Monk Straps
What everyone considered to be two fleeting trends have really decided to stick around. They were both prominent in some form over the last couple of years, but 2012 was when they broke into mainstream fashion’s consciousness.
Camo print saw a resurgence because it was the perfect pattern to pair everything you already wore – the new ‘neutral’. Double monk straps because they could be worn to any occasion, be it casual or formal, and still look appropriate, stylish and classic.
With new variations, twists and takes on these modern classics already being released, 2013 looks set to become an even bigger year for them.
5a. Camouflage Print
- Marc By Marc Jacobs Clement Camouflage-print Cotton T-shirt
- Passarella Death Squad X Boxfresh Grey Camo Slim Corree Shirt
- Allsaints Nelson Crew Jumper
- Carhartt Mission Long-sleeved Camo Overshirt
- 10 Deep T-shirt Printed Camo
- Topman Camouflage Printed Shorts
- Topman Camouflage Skinny Chinos
- Asos Camo Pocket Square
- Asos Desert Boots In Camo Print
5b. Double Monk Straps
- Allsaints Conduct Shoe
- Grenson Ellery Brown Monk Brogues
- Asos Monk Shoes With Leather Sole
- John Lobb William Leather Monk-strap Shoes
- Oliver Spencer Osa233bw Monk Black Shoes
- Boss Black Carlots Monk Shoes
- Alexander Mcqueen Monk-strap Loafers 148922
- John Lobb William Leather Monk-strap Shoes
- Grenson Double Monk Shoes
Conclusion
So there you have it, a few of the key pieces from 2012 that you should definitely keep rocking throughout 2013. If you happened to miss out on a few of these items, don’t worry, look to invest in them whilst keeping a watchful eye on what’s coming up.
Maybe try a double-breasted navy blazer made from linen or whipcord? Or why not pair an indigo chambray shirt with this summer’s go-to light grey suit? It’s all about the contrast after all.
Let me know what you think in the comments section below. What were your favourite pieces of 2012? And what are you definitely bringing over?
Matt Allinson
The Non-Essential Menswear List
Style Inspiration: Berlin Grunge
Spring/Summer Essential Fabrics – Part 3: Madras & Tropical Wools
Spring/Summer Essential Fabrics – Part 2: Seersucker
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Camo.
I like it a lot.
But Topshop/Topman likes it a lot, too.
And so do their hoards of avid, don’t-shop-anywhere-else followers.
And so do Kia Ora fans, who wear camo jackets with beanie hats that don’t fit.
Ironically, I want those Topman Camo chinos. This is a real predicament.
Ah Matt, it was all going so well… As I was reading, I was thinking “this is great, and another great article would be ’5 things to leave behind in 2012′”. Two items on my list would be camo print and double monk straps.
With camo it’s obvious – it’s a fad that we will look back on ruefully in a year’s time. But with monks, it’s more complicated – real stylish and well-dressed gents advocate them year after year. But I don’t get them. I just don’t get them. They are an ugly-looking shoe. There. I said it. I mentioned the shoe-shaped elephant in the room….
Still, generally a good article, thanks Matt. And maybe do consider the “5 things to leave behind” idea?
Completely agree Nat, agree with everything you said!
phew. glad someone had the balls to say it ! monks are so ugly.
they remind me too much of my old school shoes !
Camo is vile. Monk straps are nice but funnily enough I haven’t seen them anywhere (Ireland).
I just bought a Camo shirt. I love it!!
Looking to purchase some double monks this year but can’t find ones I like in the right price range ( £100 – £200 )
Check out Massimo Dutti and Zara
Did this post get delayed by one year?
All on their way out… except for the 3 piece maybe.
Matt, splendid article as usual!
Love all the items you have mentioned. Camo is wonderful supplement, especially in the small details. Have found a camo bow tie and some camo socks. Makes an outfit stand out of the crowd!
Double monks from an italian shoemaker is a plus for any outfit.
Sorry, but this is the internet, you cannot be allowed to make spelling mistakes without annoying gits like me commenting on it. It’s the Picture of Dorian GRAY.
Anyway, serious comments: Camo, as stated by a previous commenter, is appalling. I also agree with the Irish commenter above that, although fashion blogs everywhere have been hailing the return of the double monk strap, I haven’t actually seen many examples when about town (Liverpool and Lund in Sweden being my two main areas (among the worlds worst and the worlds best dressed cities respectively).
I have never been able to get my head around double-breasted suits/blazers, but love double-breasted coats. On a final note, I am very happy about the inclusion of smart denim shirts here. I have, despite wanting to, failed to add any smart denim shirts to my collection, but fully intend to as soon as possible. Could never stand the casual versions, but the smart ones are really interesting.
Sorry, but this is the internet, you cannot be allowed to make grammar mistakes without annoying gits like me commenting on it. Close those multiple parentheses.
I knew the moment I put that comment up that I would make a mistake and someone else would fine-comb my post just to find it. I must, however, point out that parentheses are not defined under grammar. Anyway. Peace.
August if you are looking for a couple of good denim and Chambray shirt you cannot go wrong with Nudies version. I purchased both the dry denim version and the chambray version in slim cut. Both beautifully fitting and goes with just about anything.
Check them out on the Nudie site.
The Gusten in Chambray
http://shop.nudiejeans.com/en/product/2207/org-dark-chambrey-denim
Gusten in organic dry denim
http://shop.nudiejeans.com/en/product/2204/organic-dry-denim
You should be able to pick them up at Stuarts of London and chocolate clothing.
Not a fan of camo at all, especially when it’s splattered all over shoes. Bought some double monks in black couple of months ago and really love them. Zeya- Grenson do them for £180 through urban outfitters, brown and black. Really like the Indigo shirts which will be my next purchase. Keep up the good work FB, brilliant site.
Great article Matt, I would ask though if you would class roll neck jumpers as a ‘key piece to keep’?, as i recently braved the purchase on the back end of last year. and am now thinking it was probably a bad judgement call.
Camo is something i’m not a massive fan of but worn well look’s fantastic on some people, i’ve just never been able to pull it off, however i have seen some really nice jackets in Topman and All saints that i may be tempted to purchase.
The roll neck will be around for a while yet. Much like Monk Straps it’s a style that will divide opinion but I’ll be cracking out my chunky cream roll neck whenever it gets cold enough.
I didn’t include them in the list because in my mind they never went out of style, I’ve been wearing them for years now. Great judgement call Adam, great judgement call.
Agree with Rory, like the double/single monk but haven’t been able to locate any, also in Ireland.
Next purchase: indigo shirt. Camo I like but in small doses, see GQ Pitti Uomo 2013 pics slideshow, one with camo socks and they are awesome.
Stop worrying what they say, you can wear anything from last year if you like it and feel comfortable in it, they are not the end all of mens fashion. Camo fashion was good back in 04/06 now it’s just socks, Thailand did a better job of it.
I am sorry to the camo lovers out there, but seriously?. CAMO SUCKS!!!!. Fad IMHO
I love how you’ve tagged the lookbook pics now – awesome idea!
ditto
I need to buy some double monk. Indigo shirt an I are in love, bought a pair last week. I like the double-breasted jacket a lot, I found one tweed piece in Zara sales but I don’t bought it because I need basics more than seasonal.
Camo’s become a feminine trend in my city, oversized jackets particularly; sitting at the top of my lecture theater, the crowd below looks like it has isolated patches of jungle.
Excellent article and all exceptional advice.
Few things I’d like to point out.
For those slating Camo, your missing the point and as one intelligent chap pointed out, done correctly it’s a great print and can really turn heads, but if you deck out like something from Duckhunt (that’s a nintendo game from the 80′s for all you still living with mummy) it will look atrocious. Also know your own limitations, just because you are unable to carry it off doesn’t mean it’s a dead or overdone trend (a lot of responses smack of lemons).
As for Double monks, for you younger gents in your late teens, early twenties I can definitely see (and feel) the fear, likewise for you chaps who are struggling to mature into a style (Topman feels like kindergarten but you’re not ready for John Lewis just yet), these are a brilliant and versatile shoe, and kudos to the chaps for the look book above as it shows you how it can be done in the right way.
Finally remember fashion is about individualism and confidence.. Tom Ford when asked the question if there is anything people shouldn’t wear simply responded “anything they aren’t comfortable in”… His advice is good enough for me.
If it feels good to you, it’ll look good to others