If fashion ads depicted the stuff that happens in everyday life, they’d be pretty boring. After all, who wants to see Rami Malek, head-to-toe in Dior’s finest, waiting for a replacement bus service in the rain during a train strike? No one. But that doesn’t mean they’re detached totally from reality. By picking through the finer details, many of the underlying style lessons translate to real life, too. So we asked eight industry experts, from fashion editors to celebrity stylists, to do just that.
Bally – Clash Of The Bright’ens
Colour clashes are nothing new for Bally, which is a veteran when it comes to fluoro-tinged campaigns. However, the Swiss firm has highlighted several wearable hues for SS17. “This year, there are two key shades to take from Bally: millennial pink and safety orange,” says Rob Nowill, senior menswear editor at Style.com. “Braver men will wear both together, as clashing colours and prints were all over the runways. A safer approach, though, is to focus on just one, and anchor with navy blue trousers or chinos.”
Dolce & Gabbana – Prints Charming
Dolce & Gabbana has long worshipped at the altar of prints, and this season, the Italian fashion house has set out to convert the masses. “As the patron saints of maximalism, D&G has perfectly demonstrated how bold prints can breathe life into wardrobe classics like casual shorts and smart tailoring,” says Candice Bailey, a stylist who counts Reebok, Selfridges and Lacoste as clients. “If the statement is a step too far, however, greyscale the palette with monochrome prints instead and finish with simple black accessories for a more wearable take.”
Dior Homme – Black Fly
Generally speaking, black tie gives little room for experimentation. Nonetheless, The Guardian’s menswear editor Helen Seamons suggests following Dior Homme’s lead and switching up regular eveningwear to include a statement piece. “The eyelet jacket is a modern twist on the traditional tuxedo, with just enough detail to strafe a statement,” she says. “Mimic this with a tailored bomber jacket in black, pinstripes or a satin finish to bring freshness to a dressy occasion.” If that’s pushing the envelope a little too far, Seamons suggests a tonal approach. “Stick to a dark palette to keep the look elegant, swapping a white shirt for black. Neatness is key, so no frill or bib front dress shirts or bow ties – Dior Homme is fuss free.”
Louis Vuitton – Notes On A Sandal
As the menswear world becomes more open-minded, pieces once off-limits are making their way into everyday wardrobes. In the case of sandals, it’s via one of Kanye’s favourite French powerhouses. “Sandals are no longer just for Jesus and your dad,” says Time Out style editor Miriam Bouteba. “On the runway, they provided the perfect punctuation to Louis Vuitton’s spring looks, and a sensible, bookish design is a more toned-down option that can be worn with tailored trousers or chinos that hit just above the ankle.”
Lanvin – Coming Undone
While the likes of Tom Ford button up in a slick three-piece, France’s oldest couture house, Lanvin, is quite happy to come undone. “For SS17, Lanvin nods to a kind of luxury hiker-festival-outdoorsy feel,” says Simon Chilvers, men’s style director at MatchesFashion. “The takeaway tip is to approach everything with a slightly undone aesthetic. Wear shirts layered up with turtlenecks and tees, but open and unbuttoned, and go untucked for a youthful, laid-back finish.”
Versace – The Outdoorsy Type
Donatella Versace isn’t exactly known for championing the natural look, but that hasn’t stopped her family’s label heading to the great outdoors. “Versace wants to convey a sense of intimacy with the outdoor world, combining casual sportswear with technical, outdoor-geared fabrics,” says Mark Anthony Bradley, who has dressed everyone from Luke Evans to John Legend. “Steal the look by using technical outerwear as your statement, grounding with a crisp white shirt and all-black staples elsewhere.”
Nike, John Lewis and Next. “Stick to a colour palette that ties together several similar shades, and make sure the shape is wearable; a simple bomber jacket will be easier to combine with your wardrobe than, say, an overcoat or a puffer.”
