Gentlemen, November has descended upon us like a Viking horde, destroying and pillaging any sentimentality we may have had towards fall and replacing it with a smoldering hate for this bitter cold, rainy, and seemingly endless darkness. But while the weather outside may be the stuff of nightmares for most of the world, we Canadian lads keep calm and carry on, eh? We have hockey, we have thick coats, we have warms hats, and we have big boots. And while the Leafs jersey may be a non-seasonal, universal staple in this city, the modern urban Torontonian man knows how to survive these harsh, frigid months looking poised, sharp, and totally unaffected by the icy hell that surrounds him. To help keep you looking your best for the next four months, here are the 5 trends we think you should be rocking for winter 2013/ 2014.
Fur and Animal Print
While PETA may have a thing or two to say (or throw) over this, we Canucks have a long history of wearing the soft exteriors of our fellow creatures. From the autumn/winter 2013 collections of Burberry to Louis Vuitton, flagrant animal prints everywhere and on everything (we’re talking shoes, oversized bags, and some coats from the Cruella Deville 1993 Collection) is a trend that is in keeping with an overall punk theme this season that generally consists of defying convention and traditional fashion gender norms. For those who prefer their tiger print on tigers, black fur and simple fur collar detailing is an elegant nod at the trend without going full-blown Jumanji.
Statement Scarves
Sorry to break it to you but size really does matter… Along with prints and material, naturally. Big, upper-body eating statement scarves are the hottest way to keep your neck/face/ solar-plexus warm this winter. For those daunted by prints, a monochrome giant knit choice is perfectly fine. Remember boys, it’s all about who has the biggest one.
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Checks, please!
As mentioned earlier, punk has gone from subculture undercurrent to full-blown über-trend this year. A big theme that has carried over from the subversive streets of 1980s London is check. While rather subdued (particularly considering she should really feel in her element these days…), the long-reigning queen of punk fashion, Vivienne Westwood, has a fabulous black and grey check suit which embodies the trend perfectly. The thing to remember here is don’t be afraid to go overboard with your look either. #AllCheckEverything
Black Leather
It may be sartorial heresy to say that something shouldn’t ever change but black leather could stay on trend forever and we’d definitely be okay with. This shouldn’t even be called a trend because it shouldn’t be seasonal, perennial or ever go away. That said, let’s live in the moment and love love love that black leather could not be bigger right now. Trendy gentlemen sans moustache and nowhere near Church and Wellseley are seen rocking leather trousers and even leather trenches have wandered out of the Matrix and onto the catwalks of fashion houses like Salvatore Ferragamo. Once again, we have the punks to thank for this one…
Camel
Classic… Elegant… Camel? Yes, it’s true. Potentially the most boring colour on the planet actually is pretty great. Fashion is an art that loves to play with extremes; emphasizing contrasts and really pushing the limits. Could it be in the face of so many prints and textures this season, camel has come out on top as the beautiful, sober antithesis to all the crazy? Is too much thought being put into this? Probably. Besides the forever leader of the beige pack, Burberry, Balenciaga knocked it out of the park with this #AllCamelEverything look:
