Nothing complements a collegiette more than a good-looking accessory. The oversized clutch, the teal belt or the feathered hairclip, which surprisingly took the fashion world by storm, are all pieces that every woman has managed to squeeze into her everyday wardrobe.
But, what do you do when your accessory is just not enough? When you look fantastic, as expected, but your outfit lacks that certain oomph. You try to mix, match and add this or that, and everything just seems to fail. You feel defeated. You look to your best friend for help, but the more you look, the more frustrated you become.
She has her outfit, with fashionable accessory included, down to a T! Perfection at its finest. Confidence thwarted, you turn to your guy friend and then it hits you, he looks great! Not only does he look dapper compared to other nearby guys, but also he just happens to complement your outfit perfectly! Maybe, this is the accessory you needed. Maybe, this is the oomph that will kick your outfit into full gear! Or you may just have a good-looking guy friend.
Whatever the circumstance, we as collegiettes can appreciate a good-looking guy. Aside from a cute face, chiseled body and refreshing personality, we love a guy that can dress well. The metrosexual, the grunge skater, the prep, and so on and so forth, we love them as long as they execute their style in an appealing and fashionable manner. And if the guy can complement our chic outfits, then we love them even more! With that said, I think it is to our benefit to know some of the Spring 2012 fashion trends for men.
According to Esquire Magazine, two fashion trends making a statement this season are bold colors and the “mix, mastered” look. Both trends are not anything new. They are looks we have seen plenty of times before, but this time around they are not taking the backseat. Front and center, bold colors and the “mix, mastered” look will revamp the closets of guys everywhere this upcoming spring. Bold colors have been the secondary aspect of men’s wardrobe for as long as I can remember. Think, when was the last time you saw a guy wear orange that was not on his bag or sneakers? But this season, you should expect to see more guys in bright orange shirts than ever before. Along with orange, Pantone, a world-renowned color expert corporation, predicts that guys will don bold colors such as solar power yellow, grass green, and, my personal favorite, Hawaiian ocean blue! These colors are sure to be the highlight of any guy’s closet, and I cannot wait to see what these guys will put together.
The “mix, mastered” look is every guy’s dream. It is the blend between formal and informal. It is equivalent to the mullet – business and party all at once. If you think about this look as a revamped mullet, then, yes, you will think it sounds scary. However, when done correctly, this look can turn out a lot better than you think.
Every collegiette values a clean-cut guy in a nice suit. Now imagine incorporating elements of that sophistication into a regular day outfit! Match a pair of khakis or trousers with a suede button up and any guy will surely make a statement both on and off campus, especially if he is by your side. Consider your outfit complete!
If Elle is the fashion bible for collegiettes, then GQ is the equivalent for men. And as the GQ bible states, mustard and plaid are the trends for this spring. Again, both of these trends are nothing new, but with a little ingenuity these trends can become great looks for guys and great accessories for collegiettes. Personally, I think the mustard color does not receive the admiration it deserves.
It falls between yellow and gold, but still has the ability to stand out on its own. Mustard is such a statement that the Los Angeles Times Magazine predicts that guys will wear this color in several exciting ways. The style route I am most excited about is mustard accents in men’s shoes. Brown shoes are boring, but with the mustard hue thrown in, any guy’s outfit will go from mundane to urbane! Urbane chic is a plus in my book and a must-needed accessory.
And then there was plaid. I have always been a fan of the flannel button-down. But when spring comes around, the last thing I want to wear is anything of a thick, woven material. Guys, I understand your sorrow. Fortunately, with warmer weather come lighter fabrics, which make for great shirts this upcoming spring. The boxed pattern and myriad of colors that form the plaid design have GQ calling this spring trend brilliant. The fashion bible has spoken. Fellas, take heed!
So, the next time you are at lost and your accessories are not working for you, grab a fashion-forward guy and consider your outfit complemented!
Sources:
1. Esquire
http://www.esquire.com/the-side/style-guides/mens-fashion-week/summer-spring-trends-2012#slide-6
2. Pantone
http://www.pantone.com/pages/fcr.aspx?pg=20912&ca=4
3. GQ
http://www.gq.com/fashion-shows/S2012/milan/fashion-week-spring-2012-trends-plaid-clothes#slide=5
http://www.gq.com/style/wear-it-now/201203/jim-moore-spring-trend-report-photos#slide=1
4. LA Times Magazine
http://www.latimesmagazine.com/2012/03/image-dress-code-colonel-mustard.html
Photo Credit:
1. Bold Colored Pant (photo):
http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzk94ytOMr1r0sca7.jpg
2. Mix-Mastered Look (photo):
http://www.esquire.com/the-side/style-guides/mens-fashion-week/summer-spring-trends-2012#slide-6
3. Shoes (photo):
http://www.gq.com/style/wear-it-now/201203/jim-moore-spring-trend-report-photos#slide=55