VintageGent’s Menswear Daily

Just a Little Bite of Trend Prediction

I admit that USA Today is not always my bag.  With the articles reduced to little bites and the pretty graphics, it is not exactly the in depth, intellectual publication that befits me.  Okay, okay, I should fess up.  I have a certain fondness for the publication, as when I was in grade school, the paper gave them to us free.  They believed that kids should learn to read the paper and have appreciation for it, so our school, and many others, received them in English or Civics class.   Our teacher even gave us a little primer on how the paper was set up, format wise.  Was that a public service, or were they trying to drill brad recognition into our brains?  We were flim flammed!

Any way, the pretty graphics were a special feature from Men.style.com.  According to the report, items from 1966 and 1986 are in.  Three button jackets with narrow lapels are in (again).  Seersucker and navy, and brass buttons are in as well.  A few years back, maybe around 2004 or 2005, the brass buttoned navy blazer look was pedaled around, but I didn’t really see many people on the street adopting it.   The positive is that the 60s suits that have really never waned in popularity in the past few years can vontinue to be worn without looking as if one was on the tail end of a trend.

On the pants and trousers front, khakis are being touted as “in.”  However, they are flat front and not meant for people who are carrying a bunch of extra pounds.  In otherwords, there are going to be a lot of people who buy them and not look right.  Slim cut chinos in red are not something everyone can pull off, but for those that can, definitely have at it.

Then, there are the accessories.  To continue the nautical theme, it is suggested one carry a boat tote.  I can see this trend as something practical for ladyfolk, or for those guys who are out for a day of fun in the sun.  I can’t quite picture someone running across town with a boat tote.  If you like the look, there are many totes available from sellers of vintage clothing.  They were bigger in the 80s, but you’ll find them from the past several decades.  Just watch that the style looks more utilitarian, otherwise you will look like a guy carrying your sister’s tote bag.

The saddle oxford can be duplicated with a variety of two toned shoes.  The mod era and into the 70s had its share.   If you are looking for something brand new and don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for something trendy, there are men’s stores in chiefly urban centers that are still rocking out with the black and whites and the brown and caramels.  Maybe I shouldn’t stay “still,” but rather, they have continued.  You may just find some makers who have been spitting them out for years, and therefore, you may get something that is economically priced.

What do you think about this assessment?  What do you think will actually be worn on the streets, not counting New York or LA, but the rest of America?