AW13 Coloured Trousers Trend Guide

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Introduction

Call it a cliché, but the phrase ‘a pop of colour’ aptly describes AW13 trouser trends. Whilst coloured jeans and chinos started seeping into designers’ autumn/winter collections during 2012, there’s something different about the upcoming season ? something bolder, brighter and more boisterous, causing any shirt or jacket to take a back seat. In a sense, an amalgamation of extremes composes many AW13 menswear collections. Runways at the global AW13 fashion weeks trotted out what can only be described as a ponderous hesitance – a return to the safety of black and white, albeit with some mild blue or tan added for variety. But then a red pair of trousers visually jumps out; within a collection, such a colour ? blood orange, rust or even more traditional tones of burgundy ? breaks up the barrage of predictability. It draws your eye before the next ? eggplant, tangerine or mustard yellow ? emerges and then diverts your attention again. This new emphasis on bold shades reflects an overall move in menswear toward confident experimentation. With a presence in AW13 collections from EXPRESS Men to Versace, this is one look that’s on the verge of ubiquity. That being said, today we outline the key trouser colours to consider for autumn/winter 2013 and offer some tips on how to wear them…

On The Runways: AW13

Men's Coloured Trousers On AW13 Runways

Canali aw13 Costume National aw13 Dsquared aw13 prada aw13 etro aw13 hermes aw13 Emporio Armani aw13 Michael Bastian aw13 paul smith aw13
Colour Options

These aren’t your ordinary blue jeans or stone chinos. For so long, trousers have been our outfit anchors – the unassuming backdrop to a floral shirt or plaid blazer. Expanding the colour palette opens a whole new Pandora’s Box of questions: what’s in style? What should I avoid? What should I pair with them? Solely from a visual standpoint, common shades seen throughout AW13 preview collections include:

Red

So prominent it might as well be considered its own trend, red trousers ? whether in the form of blood orange, fire engine red, cherry, rust or maroon ? were present in every style and material imaginable, from denim to velvet to vinyl. Red is one of those boundary-pushing, dare-I-wear-it shades commonly found in women’s collections but, save for your classic plaid flannel shirt, often absent from menswear. However, the sexiness and siren overtones in womenswear aren’t to be found here. Instead, red exudes confidence and shows you are not afraid of having all eyes on you.

  • New Look ChinosNew Look Chinos
  • Incotex Slim Corduroy Trousers 168648Incotex Slim Corduroy Trousers 168648
  • Topman Burgundy Skinny ChinosTopman Burgundy Skinny Chinos
  • Shore Leave Garment-dyed Chinos In BurgundyShore Leave Garment-dyed Chinos In Burgundy
  • A.p.c. Petit Standard Corduroy TrousersA.p.c. Petit Standard Corduroy Trousers
  • He By Mango Slim-fit 5 Pocket Corduroy TrousersHe By Mango Slim-fit 5 Pocket Corduroy Trousers
Orange

In line with an aesthetic and vibe similar to red, orange can be considered its toned-down cousin: bold but holding back, in-your-face but not to the point of obnoxiousness. Yet, unlike red, orange, depending how bright you go, has rave connotations. If you’re not an Ibiza season hold out, step away from the neon and instead opt for tangerine or burnt orange shades.

  • J.crew Slim-fit Brushed-cotton ChinosJ.crew Slim-fit Brushed-cotton Chinos
  • Joules Stretton – Chinos – OrangeJoules Stretton - Chinos - Orange
  • 1969 Five-pocket Cord Straight Fit1969 Five-pocket Cord Straight Fit
  • Faconnable Dean Straight-leg Cotton-blend Twill TrousersFaconnable Dean Straight-leg Cotton-blend Twill Trousers
  • Nn.07 Simon Brushed Cotton-twill ChinosNn.07 Simon Brushed Cotton-twill Chinos
  • Levis Cord ChinosLevis Cord Chinos
Blue

If blue jeans tend to stay in the background, cobalt, cerulean, or ice/frosted shades won’t. Although equally eye-popping, it’s the yin to red’s yang: its near-pervasiveness in AW13 collections offers a cool, distinct and a bold alternative for the less-audacious man.

  • American Apparel Corduroy Slim SlackAmerican Apparel Corduroy Slim Slack
  • Topman Villain Trim Chinos Topman Villain Trim Chinos
  • He By Mango Slim-fit 5 Pocket Corduroy TrousersHe By Mango Slim-fit 5 Pocket Corduroy Trousers
  • Carven Slim Fit Chinos 172714Carven Slim Fit Chinos 172714
  • Hartford Slim-fit Corduroy TrousersHartford Slim-fit Corduroy Trousers
  • Alfred Dunhill Rickson Tapered-leg Cotton-blend Twill ChinosAlfred Dunhill Rickson Tapered-leg Cotton-blend Twill Chinos
Purple

Much like blue, purple ranges from the lightness of lavender to darker eggplant, with wine and royal shades in between. Although the colour is a visual merging of blue and red aesthetics, creating a bold but not garish look, the majority of AW13 collections lean towards the darker end of the scale. Save for pieces in Comme Des Garçons and similarly high-end collections, any incarnation of purple typically comes from a darker palette.

  • River Island Red Washed Slim ChinosRiver Island Red Washed Slim Chinos
  • Easy Slim Fit Twill ChinosEasy Slim Fit Twill Chinos
  • Primark Lavender ChinosPrimark Lavender Chinos
  • Topman Deep Purple Skinny TrousersTopman Deep Purple Skinny Trousers
  • Marc By Marc Jacobs Slim-fit Chino Trousers 167002Marc By Marc Jacobs Slim-fit Chino Trousers 167002
  • Etro Corduroy TrousersEtro Corduroy Trousers
Green

For the man that’s looking to break out of the mould but finds red too gaudy and blue too plain, green is the answer. From forest shades to turquoise, the colour’s one of the trend’s more neutral and versatile options ? complementing blue and yellow and tastefully contrasting with purple. If you see colour-blocking as a puzzle, with white and a warm shade as two pieces, green almost always completes it.

  • He By Mango Slim-fit 5 Pocket Cotton TrousersHe By Mango Slim-fit 5 Pocket Cotton Trousers
  • Straight Fit Cord TrousersStraight Fit Cord Trousers
  • Le Coq Sportif Cologne Cycle Chinos In IvyLe Coq Sportif Cologne Cycle Chinos In Ivy
  • Gant Rugger Micro Cord Chinos 166403Gant Rugger Micro Cord Chinos 166403
  • Ami Slim-fit Wool TrousersAmi Slim-fit Wool Trousers
  • Rake Cotton Canvas Chinos 162548Rake Cotton Canvas Chinos 162548
Yellow

Emerging with the intensity of a highlighter in 2012, the shade has been toned down by designers over the past year. Now, rather than looking like a garment taken off and thrown into the crowd at Tomorrowland, the colour offers better versatility and staying power. Mustard and butterscotch play off the coolness of blue, whilst goldenrod and brighter options offer the perfect contrast to black.

  • Easy Straight Fit ChinosEasy Straight Fit Chinos
  • Jack & Jones Bolton Slim TrousersJack & Jones Bolton Slim Trousers
  • Barbour Slim ChinoBarbour Slim Chino
  • He By Mango Slim-fit Cotton ChinosHe By Mango Slim-fit Cotton Chinos
  • Ben Sherman Ec1 Slim ChinoBen Sherman Ec1 Slim Chino
  • Slowear Incotex Slim-fit Corduroy TrousersSlowear Incotex Slim-fit Corduroy Trousers
How To Wear
Cut

Men’s trousers have thinned over the past few years, taking on a slimmer, silhouette-defining form. Whilst this trend meshes exactly with this now-standard cut, it’s not the only option out there. Going in the opposite direction, MAN, Topman and other menswear brands unveiled a more relaxed fit within their AW13 collections. On the flipside, hinting at a transitional trend, Carven, Comme Des Garçons and Dsquared2 combined bold hues with a cropped cut, with trousers finishing around the ankle or mid-calf. Along the same line of experimentation, Thierry Mugler and Paul Smith hiked up the waistline, creating a bright, almost tuxedo-esque look in the process.

Material

The AW13 colour palette expansion has coincided with greater material variety. Although cotton is and will be here to stay, selecting a pair of trousers isn’t a simple choice of ‘black, blue or red?? anymore. Instead, based on AW13 collections, velvet, chenille, vinyl, shimmering or textured fabrics multiply all the stylistic possibilities. Although comfort plays a role to a certain degree, material defines the character of your chosen trousers. Cotton versions are perfect for the casual man looking for a bolder edge, whilst velvet hints at a dapper, dandy-like image, for instance.

Combining Colours Or Going Tonal

There are two distinct ways to style bold coloured trousers this year, regardless of whether you’re aiming for casual or smart. The easiest ? at least, in terms of how any of these pieces could fit into your existing wardrobe ? is colour-blocking. Own a white, black or other solid, neutral shirt? Then half of your stylistic journey is pretty much over. Save for a blazer or jumper added to the mix, the shades selected may tastefully contrast, think green and white or red and black, or complement each other, like green with blue. On the other hand, tonal dressing is an emerging trend. Although a suit makes this easy to pull off (and can be found in practically any colour for AW13), formal wear isn’t its sole domain; try pairing a shirt/polo/tee with jeans/chinos in varying shades of the same base colour.

Lookbook Inspiration

Men's Autumn/Winter Coloured Trousers Lookbook

el burgues aw13 avva play aw13 j crew aw13 lbm 1911 aw13 drykorn aw13 drykorn aw13 reiss aw13 h&m aw13 reserved aw13 marks & spencer aw13 he by mango aw13 farah aw13
Final Word

With a more experimental, diverse vision of menswear coming to the fore, it was only a matter of time before the kaleidoscope of colours we traditionally associate with the spring/summer months transitioned through to autumn/winter. Although certain looks (like vinyl red pants, for instance) will only exist within the realm of high fashion, the greater coloured trousers trend is one any man can try ? from the one staunchly entrenched in his casual wardrobe to the fashion forward, dapper gentleman with discerning tastes. But now it is time to hear your view:

  • Are you an advocate of bold coloured trousers during autumn/winter?
  • Or should they be confined to the spring/summer months?
  • Will you be investing in a pair of coloured trousers this year?
  • If so, what is your colour and texture of choice?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below…

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