So, it’s a new year and you’re reading my very first blog post for LadyMPresents, exciting eh? I thought what better place to start than riding on the wave of a brand new season in menswear. With the dust still settling on both Milan and Paris mens fashion weeks I thought I’d give you my own round whistle stop tour of the key trends that materialised for AW12.

Mens Fashion – Autumn/Winter 2012

The collections had an almost optimistic feel taking these current gloomy, recessionary times that we’re living in and reasserting a sense luxury into lives, but how was this done I hear you ask…. well, firstly by using plush, rich colours such as purples with deep inky blues, and fabrics such as tweeds and velvets. A sense of grandeur even came from the locations with the likes of Givenchy, showcasing next to Napoleons tomb.

Gucci, Missoni, AMI, Gucci

Don’t worry guys the knits of this season are here to stay until next autumn! Hurrah! Use it to add a splash of colour to your wardrobe during the dismal winter months.

Marni & RAF

If knits aren’t your thing to add colour why not try a print. They’re back and they’re bigger and bolder than ever. Probably the most apparent use of printed fabric was at Dries Van Noten where they were inspired by a mash up of Oscar Wilde and the American singer songwriter Frank Zappa, the result? See for yourself…..

Dries Van Noten

Another key trend for next winter is that of layering. We saw designers playing with the proportions of the traditional overcoat, moving away from sharp tailoring to a much looser oversized look. Layering coats over knits and suits for formal and informal looks.

Louis Vuitton, Lanvin, AMI, Burberry

Thought military was gone? Think again! In the past we’ve seen the military trend take an urban, casual feel with combats and flight boots taking the lead. However next, season we’re seeing militant glamour, taking the traditional evening suit and giving it a military twist. Miuccia Prada made a clever move recognising the richness of her collection, she used movie stars and ‘real’ men to model the clothes humanising the whole show.

Prada and Dolce & Gabbana

Yes yes, I’m sure you’ve noticed I appear to have neglected the whole discussion of the suit. Never fear my avid reader I plan to cover that in my next post. With this being the ‘season of the suit’, I thought giving it a mere paragraph would have cheated it out of the debate it deserves. Watch this space! For now, I shall let you digest my wise(ish) words.

Mark x

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All pictures courtesy of www.style.com