CLEVELAND, OH – The time for Autumn fashion is almost upon us.
“Fall 2011 menswear emerges as both rugged and refined in regards to color, fabrication and inspiration,” says Eric Jennings, VP and Fashion Director, Men’s & Home for Saks Fifth Avenue. “Warm, autumnal hues such as loden green, burnt orange and earthy browns fuse with rich, multidimensional fabrics.”
In addition, bold plaids take the lead in tailored clothing, while textured fabrications such as marled yarns, tweeds and corduroy are prevalent in sportswear. Nordic motifs add wit to sweaters, socks and ties. And in footwear, boots summon hiking and mountaineering, while dress shoes take direction from the classic monk strap.
The season’s key trends come from three themes: Modern Mod, Backwoods Battalion and Alpine Gentlemen.
Modern Mod reflects the 1960’s “British Invasion” with dapper looks that are short and clean. Camel serves as this story’s color anchor and takes shape in outerwear, suits and knits. Silhouettes are structured and sharp, and sweaters often replace a shirt and tie under suit jackets.
Backwoods Battalion is influenced by military ruggedness but softened by nature. All colors found in the forest are fair game. Outwear is functional for warmth and longevity, knits are marled and substantial, and lace up boots worn with chunky socks provide protection against the harsh elements.
Alpine Gentleman is active yet sartorial as mountaineering culture merges with luxe tailoring. Primary brights such as racer red, alpine green, and snow patrol orange are set against a backdrop of snowy white and bright sky blue.
And the season’s fundamentals fall into in eight categories:
- Prominent Plaids: Powerful checks, plaids and tartans aren’t just for shirts. Tailored pieces, such as sport coats, get cheeky too in playful prints.
- Camel: Made popular by the British mod movement, this wear-with-everything neutral is making its appearance on coats, sport coats and beyond.
- Nordic Knits: Show some wit with playful Fair Isle patterns or tongue-in-cheek snowflake and animal motifs. Layer with shirts and scarves for a true Scandinavian aesthetic.
- Toggles: First created for the British Royal Navy, these easily fastened closures are now dropping anchor on coats
and sweaters for the rest of us. - Backwoods Boots: Weathered, lug-soled boots exude masculinity and strength. Tuck trousers into them for the ultimate urban woodsman look.
- Monk Straps: Searching for shoes that combine the sophistication of lace-ups with the ease of slip-ons? Look no further.
- Heathered Sweaters: Contrasting marled yarns are fused to create multifaceted effects. Pair eye-popping knits with slim cargo pants for a dressy yet rugged look.
- Fur Accents: Inspired by arctic gear, fur-trimmed outerwear epitomizes rugged luxury. Just pop the hood to shield your face from harsh elements.
About Saks Fifth Avenue
Saks Fifth Avenue, one of the world’s preeminent specialty retailers, is renowned for its superlative American and international designer collections, its expertly edited assortment of handbags, shoes, jewellery, cosmetics and gifts, and the first-rate fashion expertise and exemplary client service of its Associates. Today, Saks operates 46 full-line stores in 22 states, 5 licensed stores in the Middle East and 2 licensed stores in Mexico City, 57 Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH stores and saks.com, the company’s online store.
