Men’s Fashion: The Difference Between Trends and Style

The relative complexities of women’s and men’s fashion

Both men and women can feel the pressures of keeping their wardrobe up-to-date and in season, yet men’s fashion often feels a lot less complicated. Of course, for both genders, outfits and fashion choices can be equally as intricate, and there are many ‘trendy’ items that can quickly become fashion faux pas – who can say they often see people walking around in 70s flares? On the other hand, men’s fashion has a few staple items which will exist forever – which man is going to look out of place with a good-quality, tailored suit, for example? Choose classic cuts, colours and fabrics and you’ll never look out-of-place.

Why classic men’s fashion is timeless

The classic man’s suit has barely changed for over a hundred years. True, there are several varieties for different occasions, but they are all common in their pursuit of a smart, sharp look for the wearer. The great thing about classic fashion for men is that it is effortlessly stylish; effortlessly cool. A well-groomed gentleman will almost always look his sharpest in a well-tailored suit, and this is a testament to the design of such clothing. A suit will be worn to work in many careers because of the professional look it affords to the wearer, instilling a sense of respect and trust. Equally a suit will be worn to many social occasions, such as a tuxedo to a black-tie event. This incredible versatility that allows suits to be worn in almost all occasions is what gives it its timeless edge and a permanent place in men’s fashion.

Contemporary trends in classic men’s fashion

Whilst classic men’s styles will never be replaced, it is interesting to note that shifts in men’s fashion trends have brought certain classic garments back into fashion. The popularity of vintage clothing, particularly, has brought back a wide-variety of classic styles into men’s wardrobes, such as that of the dandy gentleman. ‘Dandy’ is a term used to refer to men who dress in a classic yet extravagant way, placing importance on appearance and acting in a refined manner. This trend for almost ‘over-the-top’ classic fashion for men is evident from events such as the ‘Tweed Run’, where men and women of all ages dress in notably Victorian-style attire and take to the streets on vintage bicycles – with many of the men sporting impeccable mustaches! This is just one of many examples of evidence displaying the resurgence of such styles. There are also numerous blogs online which focus on gentlemanly style – such as ‘The Dandy Project’ and ‘Dandyism’ – as well as entire websites such as ‘The Art of Manliness’ dedicated to providing articles on classic men’s fashion and grooming.

In summary, whilst certain facets of classic men’s fashion can be brought back as new trends, the fundamental garments that they are based on will never slip out of fashion.

“All it takes are a few simple outfits. And there’s one secret – the simpler the better.” – Cary Grant