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What is trending for men? (and, what should DH try?)

Runcarla

Veteran

Every October (the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend) I help DH with a wardrobe overhaul - same as 'our' closet culls. Toss worn and stained clothes, donate what doesn't fit and isn't loved, identify what needs some TLC: mending, de-fuzzing, cleaning, polishing, etc. Then I have him put some outfits together for specific scenarios: work and play, formal and casual. Then we make a list, and go shopping! (His birthday is the end of October.)

DH enjoys the attention and the new clothes, but isn't adventurous with his sartorial choices. However, every now and then I get him to try something outside his comfort zone - a black cashmere scarf lined with peach sueded silk, a grey wool bomber style car coat, the colour purple (amazing with his silver fox colouring and blue eyes), black button downs-with success!

This season my aim is to get him into a trimmer trouser (slimmer cut) and to get him to differentiate between his golf capsule and his casual wear (the old ACTIVEWEAR debate is not just for women).

What is trending for men? What have become favourites with the men-folk you know? What might my DH try? I'm thinking mostly casual and dressier casual, since DH will be retired in 6 months.

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23 replies

Latest reply was from gryffin

rachylou

Veteran

The men in my family have all gone Uniqlo... lightweight puffer, button down shirt...

Greyscale

Veteran

Check the men's Uniqlo Ines de la Fressange and JW Anderson collections for inspiration (though they may be sold out). I'm seeing a lot of 'heritage' looks. Current trends don't align with my boyfriend's style - he goes for sleek goth-inspired black - so I haven't paid as much attention recently.

I love your descriptions of the pieces you've found for your husband.

Runcarla

Veteran

I'm loving Uniqlo (for me) since a big store opened up in Toronto! Will definitely check it out, though DH might have size issues. (He's 6 ft 3in., 200lbs, and usually needs a 'tall'). I bet I could get him into a puffer vest, though!

Thanks, rachylou and greyscale!

Scarlet

Veteran

Don't ask me. I married Mr. Classic. However, for the dressy casual look, boss microcheck pants have been a winner. Stretch cotton blend. Nicer than jeans but comfortable. Sounds like you guys have a fun process.

RobinF

Veteran

Good question! My hubby dresses a lot like Rachy says her guys do, button down shirt and puffer (only when necessary of course, haha), but I feel like he's in a bit of a rut. I also like the description of the items you have talked your DH into, they sound gorgeous!

lyn67

Veteran

Sorry no cluehere, but reading your thread was giving me some more inspiration ref menwear actually: "a black cashmere scarf lined with peach sueded silk, a grey wool bomber style car coat, the colour purple(..), black button downs". So, thanx for that!:-)

LadyLilac

It's good to know that it's also been a process for others to get their DHs into slimmer cut pants. I'm impressed that yours will let you go completely through his closet with him every year, mine would never have the patience!

I've slowly been teaching myself more about men's style over the past five years due to trying to build a professional and casual wardrobe for my DH, as he will be going into academia as a university professor next fall (hopefully!). I've found the website below to be super-helpful for all things basic and trend-related for men's style. The "start here" tab at the top is a great beginning point. I hope this helps!

https://dappered.com/

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I got to help my 16yo dress for homecoming this month. I wouldn’t say that he cares a lot about fashion, but he was into creating this outfit, and slim pants were definitely the order of the day. Also...lots of decidedly retro looks out there.

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Adriana

Veteran

My husband wears suit and tie every day. The minute he is home he changes for a casual look. He loves shopping. He is slim and a bit of a classic. He wears his new olive (yes) Uniqlo chinos a lot. With black or colored long sleeve t-shirt or henley. Everything skimming. Last bought: striped long sleeved t- shirts from Boden.
For city casual: dark or black jeans with black turtle neck. City puffer (Uniqlo) or short rain coat.
For arty outings same dark trousers with fun shirt. Flowers or abstract pattern, blue or black. Sometimes with a jacket.
Sporty or camping: Fjallraven trousers, shirt en topper (sportswear) in black or grey, or green. Puffer.
Also fun to think about: hats, scarves, gloves. To change things up.
Yes, his capsules are better then mine.

karen13

Veteran

Watching this thread with interest! My DH has been moving to slimmer pants and much better shoes! He has finally internalized that being 6 foot doesn't mean he needs to buy a large. Casual life style here, but he has done well at both Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack. He bought his first non denim jeans last month.

Your process sounds wonderful. Keep us posted on your DH' s birthday purchases.

Gaylene

Veteran

Mr. G (in his seventies, retired) keeps his wardrobe simple. His standard uniform is well-cut, slim jeans or pants, a soft shirt in a neutral color, and a sweater in a darker neutral such as navy or charcoal. Polished leather shoes and a blazer complete the uniform. For hiking, golfing, and bike riding, he’ll wear a golf shirt or long-sleeve crewneck T with shorts or Arc’teryx athletic pants and a windcheater jacket. His formal wear capsule is a tight capsule of two suits with the requisite shirts, ties, and leather dress shoes. His outerwear consists of a wool dress coat, a wool pea coat, a tan trench, a leather bomber, an anorak, a puffer vest, and a couple of wind/rain jackets. He can pack for a trip in an instant since everything goes together!

Like you, I help him do a closet overhaul twice a year but stick to telling Mr. G when it’s time to throw or donate stuff because it looks worn or is out of style. I send him off with a list in hand to the staff at Harry Rosen and/or his sons twice a year to find his updated versions of “the uniform”. They know him well and he trusts their advice—and enjoys the process of being in the company of men while he makes his decisions.

My thumbs up comes at home when he returns from his shopping trips; I’m often surprised by how much more adventurous he is when I’m not with him. His last “blazer” was an Etro sport jacket that the SA found on a 70% discount rack which fit him perfectly and really upped his style game. His Ted Baker shirt with the floral collar was another eye opener. I doubt I’d have pulled either of those items for him.

LaPed

Veteran

I have nothing to add style-wise; my husband is a hardcore minimalist. But... last week when I was going through our closet my husband requested that we move his gear clothes (grungy hiking and cycling stuff) out of his wardrobe and into the closet where we keep backpacks, tents, etc. so that he won't default to wearing gear on the weekends when he doesn't have to. Nearly bowled me over with that one! Anyway, regarding gear vs casual wear, there is hope!

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

I reached out earlier this year, seeking websites and info to help my husband dress better. (You contributed, thank you!) One of the sites was extolling the virtues of cognac shoes, belt etc. (or, at least, upgrading from black). Although my husband did have shoes in colors other than black, we searched out new shoes and a belt in a really rich, bright cognac. I think these new pieces uplifted his wardrobe quite a bit by making his outfits brighter and more positive, if that makes any sense.

** My husband will were golf shirts in any situation. We were going to a nice restaurant the other day and I told him he should change his shirt--his reply, "but this one is from Pebble Beach". (Like the course logo confers an enhanced level of formality LOL )

Sal

Veteran

I have just cleared out DH's closet too....must be that time of the year.

I like for men at the moment:
- a bit more colour - this year we added red tailored shorts and they look great with a black or navy polo shirt - or even mustard shorts with a navy tee.
- slim fit trousers or jeans - not skinny - not loose
- shirts tucked in
- quirky patterned shirts and interesting belts

BrieN

Veteran

well... we don't live in a terribly cosmopolitan place, but out here I'm seeing a lot of nice, polished casual looks for men. The plaid jackets are everywhere suddenly for nicer occasions -- and it's taking a while for my eyes to adjust to them..

Peter Millar Merino Wool & Silk Quarter Zip Pullover

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Peter Millar Flynn Classic Fit Plaid Wool Sport Coat

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Cole Haan GrandPro Tennis Sneaker

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Timberland Wodehouse Lost History Boot

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Ecco Soft VII Lace-Up Sneaker

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LaPed

Veteran

Huh, the cognac thing is interesting. My husband actually refuses to wear anything that warm and bright. Complexion-wise, I'm pretty sure he's a Summer, probably Soft Summer -- so maybe his instincts are correct. I'm pretty sure he would call cognac "orange leather" and make me return it. I once tried to put him in a burgundy sweater and he flat-out refused. He has one multi-coloured shirt with some red stripes in the mix and it's always at the very back of the closet. We've settled on dark brown/espresso for his shoes and belts, and that seems to keep both of us happy.

Runcarla

Veteran

Scarlett, Sal, BrieN - notes taken!

Robin - DH had a puffer vest when I met him (late 70's) so I'm thinking he might try one again? I saw a man with silver grey hair in a silver grey one today, and he looked fabulous!

Lynn - Just one 'crazy' idea a year! I'll never forget the look in his eyes the first time I got him to try a purple shirt and he recognized how great he looked in the colour...

Good luck, Ladylilac! DH is on a uni campus. He is a wildlife biologist/forester and co-ordinates a government research team. One day he could be wearing a suit, and the next rubber boots and field clothes! Most days it is chinos, a button down, and a tie.

Jenn - the DS's enjoy fashion and each has his own persona. Looks like your son had fun with his homecoming outfit.

Adriana - your DH's wardrobe sounds elegantly cohesive. I like the idea of olive. A lot!

Karen - 'finally internalized that being 6ft doesn't mean he needs to buy a large.' Kind of says it all!

Gaylene - you've got to love Harry Rosen! When DH found a 36 waist too snug, and a 38 waist to big, HR had trousers with a 37 inch waist! Is DH's sport jacket a famous Etro pattern? Do describe!

LaPed - Wow! About the gear.

Emily - LOL!

BrieN

Veteran

yes, the cognac thing is interesting. When we did this years big fall refresh for DH for work, the brighter cognac shoes and belt were the biggest change he made style wise. In this case though we've been seeing a lot of that color, so it didn't seem risky.

That said, DH has always been happy to take a bit of a risk with color and style; I remember him bringing back a purple shirt from a European work trip 16-17 years ago.. nobody in our neck of the woods was wearing anything like that. The color really did suit him, and he's worn purple shirts ever since. I don't think he's worn a pair of pleated pants since the 90's.

Sal

Veteran

I have noticed a big improvement in NZ male dressing over the last 3-5 years. Much cooler interesting clothes - great hair styles, facial hair, better fits, some cool casual footwear, and interesting prints and colours for business wear.

Conversely I think many women are dressing in a less smart way...

Runcarla

Veteran

Sal, I totally agree. Grooming especially has improved by leaps and bounds here in Canada. Unfortunately DH's demographic doesn't seem as impacted. My sons go to the Big City for proper cuts and barbering and each have a specific person they go to. DH goes to a local place called 'The Hairport' (I kid you not!) where it is first come, first served and gets a #2.

Sal

Veteran

LOL Carla!!

Trendy barbers are all the rage here too....

Style Fan

Veteran

Carla, Mr Style Fan wears a uniform consisting of a black turtleneck, black jeans and black shoes (lately it has been Keens). He adds an appropriate topper for the occasion. It could be a gray cardigan, black hoodie, black v-neck sweater or navy button up. Then he can add a blazer or his London Fog coat (inherited from his grandfather) or his Aquascutum trench coat (inherited from his grandfather).
He does upgrade his suit, his dress shoes, and that paraphernalia every few years.

Mr Style Fan does go to Toronto to get his hair cut unless he is really desperate.

gryffin

Veteran

....jaw agape..... Fashion....husbands? wow!! My beloved is oblivious to clothing. When I met him in med school he wore the worst of the 80's fashion stretch polyester wildly patterned "amoeba-like" button downs, acid stained cords and dress wear was a polyester leisure suit with even more violent shirt. But he was the smartest, sweetest, kindest human on earth (and still is!!!) and not wanting to appear superficial I ignored the sartorial choices and focused on the wonderful person he is. It was not until we went on floor rotations (and a very close friend, fellow student, dapper gentleman clothes horse, who's dad just happened to be in the clothing business) said we could not allow him to start clinical rotations in that garb. We did a complete mini capsule from the skin on out. My beloved husband still has no interest in clothing. For work he wears black dockers, black clark leather wallabees, Nordstrom white button down and a tie. For dress he has one suit and a couple of sport coats. He has one leather jacket and never wears a coat but has a puffer. What is interesting is he has a great eye for women's fashion. His is the one opinion I always solicit and respect. He was the first person who told me I had a great legs and got me to wear short skirts. He has also bought me clothing and has selected some of my favorite pieces. But on his own, he could care less about what he wears, he often forgets he has work pants on and ruins them by contact with pool chemicals, he's hard on his clothing and won't get rid of it until it rips or falls apart. I am so in awe over your men!! Kudos ladies!! I'm just trying to keep my husband in clean, non ripped, bleached, stained clothing or sartorial damage control as I think of it.