Clothing retailers say men can bend the rules a bit this fall
http://www.gbmnews.com/articles/1387/1/Clothing-retailers-say-men-can-bend-the-rules-a-bit-this-fall/Page1.html
News Hound
Your servent relentlessly hunting for interesting news stories around the world. By News Hound
Published on 09/5/2007
by Gregory Burnett
"Transcategory migration."
That's a term that sounds like it belongs on a National Geographic special, right? But for J.B. Dunn, a buyer at Kilgore Trout in Woodmere, it's a trend in men's fashions, one that means to man up, drop the formality and wear that classic black blazer with a favorite pair of dark jeans.
"By mixing and matching this way, men will get more for their money," said Dunn.
The stodgy wingtips your dad wore have been updated to look leaner and more contemporary. A twist? You don't have to wear them with a suit.
Although Maurice Christopher, owner of Christophier on Clifton on Cleveland's West Side, likes the new twists on formality, he cautions men not to wander too far from tradition.
"If a person goes into his closet and puts on a suit coat with a pair of jeans, it doesn't always work," he said. "It's a suit. It has a connotation that defines its use."
"Transcategory migration."
That's a term that sounds like it belongs on a National Geographic special, right? But for J.B. Dunn, a buyer at Kilgore Trout in Woodmere, it's a trend in men's fashions, one that means to man up, drop the formality and wear that classic black blazer with a favorite pair of dark jeans.
"By mixing and matching this way, men will get more for their money," said Dunn.
The stodgy wingtips your dad wore have been updated to look leaner and more contemporary. A twist? You don't have to wear them with a suit.
Although Maurice Christopher, owner of Christophier on Clifton on Cleveland's West Side, likes the new twists on formality, he cautions men not to wander too far from tradition.
"If a person goes into his closet and puts on a suit coat with a pair of jeans, it doesn't always work," he said. "It's a suit. It has a connotation that defines its use."
Clothing retailers say men can bend the rules a bit this fall
by Gregory Burnett
"Transcategory migration."
That's a term that sounds like it belongs on a National Geographic special, right? But for J.B. Dunn, a buyer at Kilgore Trout in Woodmere, it's a trend in men's fashions, one that means to man up, drop the formality and wear that classic black blazer with a favorite pair of dark jeans.
"By mixing and matching this way, men will get more for their money," said Dunn.
The stodgy wingtips your dad wore have been updated to look leaner and more contemporary. A twist? You don't have to wear them with a suit.
Although Maurice Christopher, owner of Christophier on Clifton on Cleveland's West Side, likes the new twists on formality, he cautions men not to wander too far from tradition.
"If a person goes into his closet and puts on a suit coat with a pair of jeans, it doesn't always work," he said. "It's a suit. It has a connotation that defines its use."
Colors will match Northeast Ohio's traditional late-fall landscape and skyline -- browns and grays. Gray suits with lavender pinstripes are being rolled out. Brown, black and taupe shoes are coming from manufacturers as well, said Christopher.
And about those jeans: Get rid of the destroyed, torn jeans. Washed looks, yes. Hole-ridden looks, no.
THE KEYS
Some men don't feel the need to update their style from season to season. But for the fashion curious, here are eight items that Christopher, Dunn and Gregg Andrews, fashion director at Nordstrom, suggest that you have.
A perfect white shirt. Because white can be used with anything. Remember, an artist always starts with a white canvas. Lavender pinstripe is also flattering. -- Christopher
A great unconstructed jacket. This is an essential garment, which has broad applications. Throw it on with anything, and you're dressed for dinner. -- Dunn
A sweater. A huge trend in knitwear. It has a slimmer cut this season. -- Andrews
A pair of brown shoes. Wear with jeans or a suit. And don't forget the appropriate belt. -- Dunn
A slim-cut suit. Men are dressing up, and it's not always about jeans and a T-shirt. Every man should have a well-fitting suit. The silhouette now is leaner. -- Andrews
Functional outerwear. Let's face it, we're in Cleveland. You've got to have something that looks good and keeps the elements at bay. -- Dunn
A great pair of chinos. Khakis that you can wear all day and hold their shape are flattering. -- Christopher
A good mirror. Look at yourself and say "yeah," or look at yourself and say "no." -- Christopher
Bounce back
"Transcategory migration."
That's a term that sounds like it belongs on a National Geographic special, right? But for J.B. Dunn, a buyer at Kilgore Trout in Woodmere, it's a trend in men's fashions, one that means to man up, drop the formality and wear that classic black blazer with a favorite pair of dark jeans.
"By mixing and matching this way, men will get more for their money," said Dunn.
The stodgy wingtips your dad wore have been updated to look leaner and more contemporary. A twist? You don't have to wear them with a suit.
Although Maurice Christopher, owner of Christophier on Clifton on Cleveland's West Side, likes the new twists on formality, he cautions men not to wander too far from tradition.
"If a person goes into his closet and puts on a suit coat with a pair of jeans, it doesn't always work," he said. "It's a suit. It has a connotation that defines its use."
Colors will match Northeast Ohio's traditional late-fall landscape and skyline -- browns and grays. Gray suits with lavender pinstripes are being rolled out. Brown, black and taupe shoes are coming from manufacturers as well, said Christopher.
And about those jeans: Get rid of the destroyed, torn jeans. Washed looks, yes. Hole-ridden looks, no.
THE KEYS
Some men don't feel the need to update their style from season to season. But for the fashion curious, here are eight items that Christopher, Dunn and Gregg Andrews, fashion director at Nordstrom, suggest that you have.
A perfect white shirt. Because white can be used with anything. Remember, an artist always starts with a white canvas. Lavender pinstripe is also flattering. -- Christopher
A great unconstructed jacket. This is an essential garment, which has broad applications. Throw it on with anything, and you're dressed for dinner. -- Dunn
A sweater. A huge trend in knitwear. It has a slimmer cut this season. -- Andrews
A pair of brown shoes. Wear with jeans or a suit. And don't forget the appropriate belt. -- Dunn
A slim-cut suit. Men are dressing up, and it's not always about jeans and a T-shirt. Every man should have a well-fitting suit. The silhouette now is leaner. -- Andrews
Functional outerwear. Let's face it, we're in Cleveland. You've got to have something that looks good and keeps the elements at bay. -- Dunn
A great pair of chinos. Khakis that you can wear all day and hold their shape are flattering. -- Christopher
A good mirror. Look at yourself and say "yeah," or look at yourself and say "no." -- Christopher
Bounce back