Harry Rosen Menswear: Spring/Summer 2008 Trends Report
HARRY ROSEN 2008 SPRING TREND REPORT
Essential Summer Dressing at its Finest
TORONTO, Ontario (February 29, 2008) – From the essential neutral suit to the perfect accessory to accent it, Spring/Summer 2008 takes old favourites such as shorts and straw hats and mixes them with new must-haves such as lightweight denim and patterned ties to create the perfect summer wardrobe.
Here are the Top 10 trends for men this spring, as seen by Harry Rosen.
Rat Pack Styling:
For a weekend in Vegas or hitting the town at home, labels such as Etro are taking inspiration from the Rat Pack and updating it with a modern twist. Printed sport shirts, linen sports jackets and finishing touches like bow ties and pork-pie hats round out this look.
Specialty Jackets:
Again for a weekend spent with the boys - whether at a cottage or for a boys night out, a special jacket can make a jeans and t-shirt outfit stand out. Watch for Steve McQueen-influences in a khaki safari jacket or a motor-inspired bomber jacket by the likes of Juicy Couture or Parajumpers. These jackets work perfectly to add details to the streamlined and cleaner denims of this season.
Washed Sportshirts:
Comfort is key when it comes to relaxed weekend wear. The casual sportshirt makes a comeback whether paired with lighter-weight washed jeans or shorts. Arnold Zimberg makes a statement with washed-out, sun-bleached fabrics coupled with collar and stitching details for a comfortable yet polished look. Victorinox contines to make standout travel pieces that work just as well at home, with their stretch cotton shirts with vented panels and adjustable sleeves.
Shorts:
Continuing to gain momentum from Spring/Summer 07, shorts are a must-have item for men this season. While shorts for business are still a no-no, they can be worn for most other daytime occasions from golf to weekends in the city. When paired with the best casual tops from Victorinox and Facconable for the classic to BOSS Green for the modern, shorts will be a pleasure to wear for their 'cool' factor in both styling and on hot days.
Spectator Wear:
Not all men are born to play sports, but they can look the part. This season, looks from Lacoste, Paul & Shark and Zegna Sport offer the look and feel of the sporty life without all the work. Lacoste's exclusive designs for American tennis great Andy Roddick in grey, white and orange showcase Lacoste's 75th anniversary collection; while a nautical look in a navy and white rugby shirt and linen pants by Paul & Shark are a throw-back to the 80s yachting look. Bursts of colour in red, orange and acquamarine liven up this palette.
Event Dressing:
Once again, summer wedding season is upon us and the quest for the perfect unique outfit brings us to the special jacket. Lighter fabric from linens to brushed cotton; half-lined or unlined - these jackets keep the shape but lose the bulk. Simple colour schemes in greys, blacks and off-white create a sophisticated formal look while keeping their cool. Look for stand-out pieces like Versace's band-collar jacket or the silk and lightweight wool Armani Collezioni offering.
Neutral Suits:
Once again, the lighter neutral suit dominates the business world for spring, shedding its dark skin in favour of light greys, summery navy and shades of tan. From BOSS Hugo Boss to Canali and Ermenegildo Zegna, the message is to lighten up both the suit and the accessories with pastels such as soft blues, tans, plums and greys gaining prominence in shirts and tie combinations.
Punches of Colour:
While lighter suits and shirts dominate, the occasional punch of colour comes into play with red leading the charge as it did in Fall 07. Ties are moving away from stripes in favour of patterns such as paisleys, neats and medallions. Other vibrant hues in violet, lime, tangerine and royal blue offer alternatives. A white ground shirt in a check pattern mixed with a strongly coloured tie offers an authoritative attitude this season.
Summer Denim:
While ten years ago white pants or chinos were the go-to summer trousers, summer denim is now a staple in most men's wardrobe. Typical 10 or 12 ounce denim is too hot for the summer but labels such as 7 For All Mankind, Agave and BOSS Hugo Boss are creating lighter 6 or 8 ounce denims that offer the perfect alternative for warm-weather casual dressing and can be paired with an infinite number of tops and jackets for a variety of looks.
Accessories:
Perhaps the most important pieces in a man's wardrobe these days are the accessories as they can change or enhance any outfit - a secret that women have long been privy to. Whether it is a luxurious splurge on a leather bag by Brunello Cucinelli or wallet by Salvatore Ferragamo, the perfect belt or shoe in of-the-moment chocolate brown or a fun and breezy summer hat, a variety of accessories are a key item to staying current this season.
These and other fall fashions will be available at Harry Rosen stores across the country beginning February 2008.
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About Harry Rosen Inc.
Harry Rosen Inc., Canada's leading quality men's wear retailer, is celebrating its 54th year in business in 2008 and accounts for 40 percent of the Canadian market in high-end men's wear. Harry Rosen stores offer extensive collections of the world's finest men's wear labels including Brioni, Canali, Versace Classic, BOSS Hugo Boss, Armani Collezioni, Ermenegildo Zegna, Prada, Cole Haan, Etro, Salvatore Ferragamo, Dolce and Gabbana, Loro Piana, Arnold Brant and J.P. Tilford by Samuelsohn.
For more information or photographs, please contact:
Rachel Evans
Public Relations and Special Events Manager
Harry Rosen Inc.
416-935-9226 revans@harryrosen.com
