5 Trends To Master For SS15

From vibrant orange outerwear to suits with trainers, 2014 has been a year for breaking new ground in menswear. As we close the doors on 2014 and dive head first into the start of a new ‘fashion season’, we thought it fitting to highlight the five key trends you need to be familiar with for spring/summer 2015…

1. Statement Stripes

A mainstay of both the casual and formal sides of our wardrobe, stripes are (as usual) expected to be big news for SS15. The stripe was given pride of place in collections from Gucci and Jonathan Saunders to Casely-Hayford and Emporio Armani, where they were applied to a wide variety of garments including both tailored staples like smart trousers and shirts, as well as more relaxed jumpers and accessories. With stripes a perennial spring/summer trend, there will be no shortage of options this year. If you already own a classic Breton top, our recommendation would be to branch out into striped tailoring, legwear (shorts or trousers) or knitwear. Also consider opting for a thicker block-stripes or bold coloured motifs in order to bring a modern twist to this timeless pattern. To put stripes into practice, try teaming your essential Breton tee with a pair of tailored chino shorts and loafers for an off-duty, summer-ready look, switching to slim pinstripe trousers, a navy two-button blazer, white shirt and monk-straps for something that’s more evening-appropriate.

Note: Before you rush out and purchase, it’s worth remembering that different stripes will have different effects on your overall size and shape. Horizontal stripes tend to make you look wider by breaking up the vertical silhouette, while vertical stripes draw the eye down quickly, giving the illusion of length/height. With this in mind, if you’re short and squat, you’re better off avoiding the former, while lankier gentlemen would do well to stay away from the latter.