Man Style for Fall 12: Best of New York

The New York men’s fashion shows just wrapped in the city that never sleeps and looking at some of these dandified clothes, it seems like our guys will be out on the town carrying on until dawn. Many editors have proclaimed this season, both here and in Europe, as the year of the suit. Yes, it is true that suits are making a strong comeback in the battle for Friday. Casual is being pushed to where it belongs: Saturday. But the news, at least it seems to me, is Plaid. Menswear designers are mad for plaid.

With the prep revolution evolving into a WASP status quo, designers are playing with plaid like never before. From 3-piece suits to sweaters, from trousers to duffel coats, plaid is the news for next fall.  And you know I could not be more pleased about that. From the new stars (Simon Spurr, Billy Reid) to newcomers we’ve never heard of (Ovadia & Sons) plaid is the textile of choice. Even the re-issue of an old American standby (Joseph Abboud) showed plaid to perfection.

The color wave continues to roll (Nautica, Michael Bastian, Number Lab). It is now almost de riguer to show colorful, Go-to-Hell pants in your collection, and the runways were done up like Easter baskets. I imagine most of you have secured your regulation red britches by this point. Now you can invest in yellow, green, pink and light blue. Chunky comfort sweaters are all over (Ovadia & Sons). There are snug jackets that can pass for work wear for a certain segment (J. Crew). And, of course, super amazing coats meant for gentlemen, not hobos (Billy Reid). There are interesting suits in unexpected fabric such as corduroy (Michael Bastian) and nubby wool (Joseph Abboud). Finally, the importance of well-styled evening clothes (Band of Outsiders, Billy Reid) is showing up in designer offerings both here and abroad.

All in all, it looks like a welcome return to elegance for both day and night, town and country. Downton Abbey meets Mad Men? Perhaps not yet, but that is where we are headed. Buckle up, fellows. The slouch and baggy days are numbered. Best to start investing now so you’ll be in strong position at the complete of the Gentleman’s Revolution.

See Social Primer’s Best of New York for Fall 2012 here.

Simon Spurr, Michael Bastian, Joseph Abboud, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Billy Reid, J. Crew, Ovadia & Sons, John Bartlett, Michael Kors, Gant by Michael Bastian, Nautica, Number Lab, Hyden Yoo, General Idea, Todd Snyder, Band of Outsiders.

Images courtesy GQ.com.