L'insouciance

If you're  in a bit of a style rut and looking for inspiration, I highly recommend perusing the street style photographs of GQ's Tommy Ton, taken outside Pitti Uomo in Milan. Granted, most of us cannot pull off the creative flare and colourful flamboyance these guys exude, but we can definitely mine them for some ideas.

If there is  only one idea that I think should be borrowed from these style maestros, I think it is their sense of insouciance--granted some of it affected. Notice how many buttons are undone, collars unevenly flipped, gloves tucked in pockets, etc.  You never want to look too buttoned, too restrained or too perfect-- unless you're Mitt Romney.

 

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-The Scandal

John Richmond, Fall/Winter 2012

It's annoying when the fashion media consistently defaults to silly clichés when describing certain designers.  For example, Alexander McQueen was the "bad boy", and in the case of John Richmond, he's the "Rock 'N' Roll" designer.

Epithets aside, I don't seem to encounter as John Richmond clothing in Canadian retails shops anymore. Here's what you're missing:

Full collection.

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-The Scandal

Louis Vuitton, Men's Fall/Winter 2012

I don't know how much that ski jacket will cost, but I will hazard a guess that it will be the most expensive ski jacket on the market.

Full collection.

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-The Scandal

Ports 1961 Mens Fall/Winter 2012

Growing up in the 1980's, I remember my father sporting Ports International neckties. I  associated the brand with subdued, if somewhat stylish conservatism akin to say, Brooks Brothers.

I have since learned that after disappearing in the North American market for a decade or two, this brand with Canadian roots has since christened itself as "Ports 1961", and re-booted itself as a fashion forward force to be reckoned with. I must say that  I am very impressed with results.

Designers Fiona Cibani and Ian Hylton have done a nice job in marrying Saville Row chic with modernist tailoring that you might find with the likes of Raf Simons and Miuccia Prada. It is my favourite Milan show to date this season.



Full show.

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-The Scandal

Trussardi 1911 Men's Fall/Winter 2012

Tom Ford has long idealised 70's high style in all its glammed up glory. Gucci has never really abandoned that sentiment either. Though it was by no mean subtle, men's style in the 70's was more than just Boogie Nights leisure suits.  So here is the latest Trussardi show essentially saying the same thing, except designer Umit Benan couldn't resist resorting to those very same clichés.

Full Show.

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-The Scandal

Emporio Armani Men's Fall/Winter 2012

I didn't care much for the (unshown) ankle length coats that seem to be pervasive on the runway this season, but I did like the way Georgio managed to layer his boys in a tactile, billowy combination of wool, leather and velvet.

Full collection. 

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-The Scandal

Ermenegildo Zegna Men's Fall/Winter 2012

This show may have looked more British than Italian (cutaway collars, corduroy suits)  but  was unquestionably quite dashing.

I've never seen (tassled?) ankle boots like the ones I've included below, but I definitely wouldn't mind a pair.

Full collection.

Any chance we'll eventually see this tux-sweater at the Oscars?

                                         All images copyrighted to GQ.com


-The Scandal