When it comes to menswear sobriety doesn’t go with the zeitgeist of the season – fashion is all high on happy pills. The vibrant bonhomie between fashion and frivolity is quite prevalent, as the earlier has divorced tyrannous solids for the latter. In short, fashion is at its playfully rebellious best for the Spring Summer 2012.
The whole laid back Jamaica meets Wall Street vibe with Afro-Asian artisanal flavour is the new love of the designers across the world. From recently concluded Men’s day at London Fashion Week to Van Heusen India Men’s Week, the designers have a say – carpe diem. It’s like Cirque du Soleil with splashes of colors creating abstract print extravaganza. From hyper color flora and fauna, to different motifs and paisleys, to wide stripes and checks, the prints have never been as diverse as this time. Designer Manoviraj Khosla, who lately showcased at India Men’s Week 2011 concedes, “There is no limit to what and where you can use prints. From clothes to inner wear, to footwear; it works everywhere.”
Actually, the stereotypical black and white male lifestyle is fading fast. The new alpha male has no ego burst showing love for his daughter’s Malibus and Barbies. He is out and loud with it. Being self-assured of his sexuality, he is comfortable to walk down the crowded street dressed in happy prints. But the line is to drawn somewhere as you might end up looking like Mr. Malibu Doll. Rajvi Mohan quips, “I think prints are an essential integration for both innerwear and accessories besides the outerwear but the line should definitely be drawn in mixing too many prints together creating a cluttered look. Use it sparingly as a pocket square or tie against solid textures or even a shirt- but avoid going all print.”
She further adds that to go flawless with the trend, use it with a touch of subtlety as a pocket square or tie while being all confident and assured. Though fashion doesn’t conform terms like flawless, it’s all about hit-trail-and-being-distinct, but somehow it creates wonders if embraced with effortless and understated vibe. Being overwrought robs it of its charm. Manoviraj concludes it by saying, “Men should not overdo prints while wearing them. Any one item of clothing should be in a print. It could either be the shirt or jacket or the pants.”
