The Fresh Prints
We’re not going to lie – prints and patterns are tricky. If you’ve built a classic, timeless and versatile capsule wardrobe, it can be difficult to know how to stylishly incorporate busy details into your outfits on a regular basis. Thankfully, the latest crop of seasonal prints offers simple motifs that even the most aesthetically conservative guy can get on board with. So, while we’ve seen everything from Italian brocade to animal transfers on the SS15 runways, these are the five basic prints and patterns we think every man should try in the coming season:
Windowpane Checks
You’ll probably recognise this pattern as the suiting check of choice favoured by some of history’s remarkably refined, including Clark Gable and Frank Sinatra. At once understated and bold, the windowpane is able to make a statement without shouting. While it’s definitely still a strong contender in contemporary tailoring, this season the windowpane was extended past its formal wear heritage to more casual, everyday pieces, as seen at labels like 3.1 Phillip Lim and Emporio Armani. Forget the slim cuts of the past, one of the chief ways we saw this check applied on the SS15 runways was across relaxed-leg trousers. Take tips from Kris Van Assche and Etro, where looser-fitting styles were combined with preppy polo shirts, unstructured blazers and bomber jackets for an effortlessly chic aesthetic. If you do opt for statement legwear, you’ll want to keep everything else minimal. And if you’ve already invested in a pair of Stan Smiths – or similarly minimal white trainers – then we suggest you use them as a blank canvas to let your legwear do all the talking. If you’re the type of guy that wears a lot of lighter tailored trousers in spring, a checked windowpane pair in white will be one of the most versatile items you’ll buy this season – not only do they make a great substitute for your chinos, but you can also smarten them up with a sharp, peak lapel blazer for summer events. Remember, the key to nailing this trend is in keeping the colour palette low-key; stick to styles that have neutrals and darker hues as their base, set off by a contrasting check.
Lookbook Inspiration
Key Pieces
- American Apparel Check Sweat Bomber
- Libertine Libertine Bomber Jacket Mono Large Check
- New Look Check Shirt With Grandad Neck And Long Sleeves
- Jacob Coh?n Casual Trouser
- Reiss 1971 Martian Palm Print Shirt Black
- River Island Black Floral Bomber Jacket
- River Island Blue Indigo Floral Shorts
Typography
While you probably haven’t touched typography and slogans since your teens (or the rise of the Louis Vuitton graffiti print), this season the writing really was on the, er, clothes. Christopher Bailey was one of the most prominent advocates of the trend, covering denim jackets, scarves and portfolios with literature-inspired lettering at the Burberry Prorsum spring/summer 2015 show. Keen to prove just how gentlemanly this type of print can be, Bailey was clever to introduce it sparingly into his looks – as should you, starting with just one piece. An all-black jeans, T-shirt, blazer and Chelsea boots combination will be instantly livened up with a typography portfolio in a bold colour, such as the claret, turquoise and mustard versions seen at Burberry. Or if you’re more likely to be wearing a bomber jacket and shorts, try hunting down a slogan-covered tee, sweatshirt or backpack for a sportier take on the trend. Remember: the key to mastering this look is keeping the print to a minimum. Christopher Shannon’s Sex Pistols-style slogan separates might not be suitable for everyday wear when paired together, but a slogan tee will serve you well under your best blazer when you want to add a definite talking point to an otherwise discreet outfit.