• Men's Fashion Guides

AW13 Mod Revival: How To Wear

Introduction

When it comes to pop culture, the cliché eventually turns into the quintessential. With mod fashion – which originated in late 1950s London and then resurfaced in the 1970s before becoming prominent in North America through the 1980s – this is the image of the Beatles, all in perfectly tailored dark suits, one indistinguishable from the next. There’s something about mod fashion that transcends the casual-formal divide. Perhaps it’s the aspirational working class origins; the fact that its androgynous appearance ? tailored and fitted for men, A-line and moderately spacious for women ? goes against the strict 1950s gender lines; or the confluence of American, French and Italian elements. Whatever it is, mod fashion’s timelessness evokes both a period image and one that effortlessly integrates with current trends.

AW13 Mod Revival

Whilst researching the AW13 trends showcased at this year’s global fashion weeks, it became apparent that mod style has returned to the fore. Countless collections emphasised the dark, tailored suit ? a key component of mod style and a silhouette composed primarily of straight lines with a hint of a waist – whilst the re-emergence of desert boots and turn-up trousers, coupled with the occasional roll neck and striking pop culture graphic, helped to flesh out the trend. But unless you’re the vintage type, replicating the original 1960s mod look (or even resuscitating it with a 1970s vibe) has the potential to appear dated. So, if the slim-cut casual suit has caught your eye this season, or you are simply a fan of mod fashion, here are the key styles you should be on the lookout for, along with a few tips on how to bring the look bang up to date…

The Suit

If any garment embodies mod style, both 1960s and current, it’s the suit. Casual or formal, this bastion of menswear accentuates a man’s form. Original mod fashion, before the mid-1960s commercialism, involved adapting something to your personal style – whether a scooter or suit, the item perfectly fitted your body and tastes. Neither too tight nor too loose, the look you are going for ‘just-tailored’; as if both the trousers and jacket were specifically designed for your body. For a vintage look, the suit should be in a dark colour, have a three-button jacket and contrast again a light button-down Ben Sherman shirt.

How To Modernise It

Dark coloured, tailored suits exude a sense of timelessness. They could slot effortlessly into any moment in time and any setting ? from dandy to the Mad Men era. Yet the detail that always gives away the period is the buttons. The good news is, within AW13 suiting – from Balenciaga’s casual velvet take and Band Of Outsiders’ large pocket, grey flannel version to Ermenegildo Zegna’s silk-infused options – the three-button look is gone. Instead, a double-breasted or single-button design adds a modern touch. Along with your choice of jacket, try stepping outside the traditional black-grey-brown palette. Designers like Hardy Amies, Tom Ford, Jil Sander and Jonathan Saunders start with this timeless structure and then apply a pattern (sixties checks are perfect) or bold block-colour ? another mod element that is blended with contemporary style sensibilities this time around:

Key Pieces

• Asos Skinny Fit Suit In Brown Fleck
• Farah Vintage Suit In Tweed
• Vito Suit In Bordeaux
• Asos Slim Fit Double Breasted Jacket In Brown Dogstooth
• Reiss Birdie Colour Block Felted Wool Jumper Grey
• River Island Navy Angular Colour Block Jacquard Jumper
• Ovadia & Sons Striped Knitted Cotton Sweater
• Black Fleece Diamond-weave Patchwork Cardigan 163202
• Topman Villain Colt Jumper
• Topman Samsoe And Samsoe Pattern Jumper
• Allsaints Malden Shirt
• River Island Blue Colour Block Shirt
• Marni Contrast-sleeve Cotton Shirt

Modern Lookbook Inspiration

Finally, we bring you some modern lookbook examples of mod-inspired outfits from recent high street and designer campaigns:

Final Word

Just as 1960s mod style and culture emerged as a reaction to the drab and restrictive 1950s, the modern reincarnation appears to have come at the right place and time. Within both casual and formal wear, and the smart-casual space in between, colour experimentation, fitted cuts and striking silhouettes have replaced the conservative and characterless look of the noughties. Although it has yet to be determined if this mod revival is intentional or organic, the pervasiveness of its key pieces shows the time is right and stylistically appropriate. Make sure you let us know your thoughts on the resurgence of mod style and whether you will be integrating some of the key pieces showcased today into your look for AW13…

Ivan Yaskey