I’ve always been inspired by men’s fashion. Effortless style comes more naturally for men, who, much more often than women, look more undone than uptight whatever they wear. And I think it’s because they perfectly understand the meaning of less is more, because they know the importance of a garment’s fit and quality, and because their style evolves around a few key staples.
But, somehow, my constant impression over the last few years has been that men are beginning to forget the rules that makes them so enviable by women. They seem to forget that fit is everything in men’s wear and they are adopting a universal uniform of low waist and tight trousers and jeans and slim fit shirts and t-shirts (they are not for everyone!) that only makes them look ridiculous. Men also seem to have gone crazy for scarves. I have nothing against wool scarves, I think they beautifully complete a look in winter time, but to wear a scarf every time of year, in any size, colour, fabric or pattern? There are very few men besides Cary Grant who can look good, masculine with a scarf or neckerchief on, and I can’t think of any right now, except for Jude Law maybe.
Colour is another department I am not keen in seeing men experiment in. There was a men’s pink knitted sweater in the Burberry Resort 2013 collection that I can not get out of my mind. It shocked me. But it was not necessarily the colour (after all, a soft pink polo tee, shirt or even pullover are very classic after all), but the design. The cut and colour put together just didn’t feel right for a men’s garment. The next thing I did was to look up photos of Steve McQueen and Alain Delon, two symbols of masculine style, to reassure me what men’s style really is about. It wouldn’t hurt if men looked up to them from time to time.
Steve McQueen was an expert at dressing down, looking exceptionally cool, eluding a clear-cut masculinity. He looked stylish in simple cotton t-shirts or roll-neck pullovers, denim and sneakers. Or Alain Delon, with his as refined as it can be relaxed attitude, always looking nonchalant, whether immaculately tailored or in leisure attire. With his rolled shirt sleeves to keep from looking stuffy, leather loafers worn sockless or V-neck sweaters with the sleeves pulled up a little, he embodies the essence of French style. Their secret was that they wore only what fit them as a glove. They weren’t afraid to replicate a garment, a look, a colour. Why do we find it so hard to believe that simplicity goes hand in hand with style?
photos: 1-Steve McQueen photographed by John Dominis at this home in Palm Springs, Life-Time magazine / 2,3-unknown
I know which jumper you’re talking about from Burberry! Nice colour though.
That last pic of Alain Delon – hot!! But really I if saw a guy wearing a v neck sweater today without something underneath – I’d be thinking he forgot something when getting dressed.
And Steve McQueen – all men should look to him for inspiration! It’s all about the basics – those classic, timeless pieces that carry through every occasion…:)x
I agree, I don’t think a V neck with nothing underneath would look good on anyone else but Alain Delon. 🙂
Skinny jeans and silly scarves on men has me despairing! I am yet to meet a man who can pull these off. I really like it when men look laid back and most importantly, masculine – usually in total contrast to me. I totally agree with you, men could really learn a thing or two from the likes of Cary Grant and Steve McQueen!
I love it when men try to play it cool in teh fashion department and still know style. Happy Wednesday Ada xoxo
MMM nothing like some male eye candy on a boring wednesday:)
Im happy you liked my pink bed..I love it to:)
have an awesome week my dear.
LOVE M
Hahahahha, Ada, that pink sweather is so crazy, can’t believe it! It is of course for a women, I hope, but by mistake, the model in the photo took it as a man sweater :)))) It makes me think about those white V-neck t-shirt (a very deep V) that men nowadays wear…they are saying: look at my firm and hairry chest! Have a lovely day:*
A man wearing a warm, cosy, knitted, woolen turtleneck sweater – I colud never resist that sight 😉
I do agree with you – scarves are not for all men, maybe only artists / designers / architects look ok wearing them.
Oh I agree about men + scarves, they don’t mix! I love it when men have their own unique sense of style thats a balanced mix of classic with well-tailored xx
I have to agree with you that effortless style seems to come more naturally for men. Not quite sure why but I think they can pull it off much easier. Maybe it’s because women try so hard and for men it truly is more effortless?
Great post, Ada. I love to look and discuss men’s fashion. My brother in law and I do it quite often. I was just admiring his tumblr this morning which is chock full of fabulous men’s fashion 🙂 xoxo
I love that you are writing about this Ada. That top photo is perfection, I would love it if more men dressed like this. One of the best essays on this I ever read was written on an early post on style.com about how men look so much better and more attractive when they dress like this and no woman likes a guy who looks like he spent more time dressing than here. I wonder what gene this stems from because it seems almost like a biological response 🙂
xo Mary Jo
Oh my goodness, the timing of this post is unreal! I was just having this discussion with my boyfirend. He is very, very fussy when it comes to style—clothing must fit right, and every detail down to the button must be right. I appreciate him so much 🙂
As for your thoughts on men’s style, I agree with so many of them, if not all in most cases. And skinny jeans? No. Straight leg? Oui, but skinny skinny, eeeek. And that sweater is not right at all! Not sure what they were thinking with the design.
Wishing you a lovely day…
xx Sarah
I pick out my husband’s clothing and I like to keep it clean and classic. It’s good when a man actually looks masculine. I agree about scarves. Men should only wear them for warmth in the winter. As far as dressing down I must say that I really don’t like the sloppy disheveled look cause it just looks dirty.
You basically said what I have been thinking. I’m so glad my husband doesn’t wear skinny jeans or scarves. As someone wrote above, only a few men can pull off that look. And don’t get me started on too short trousers that look so utterly ridiculous. Some men simply look like clowns in those.
I wish more men wore a beautiful waistcoat.
About that Burberry. Was that really a sweater for men?!! I thought it was just some humour, a male model wearing a woman’s sweater so I didn’t think much about it when I saw it.
Oh, you couldn’t have put it better! Thanks!
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