By Maureen Mancini Amaturo
Men, you can pretend you hate to shop all you want, but sales figures and market trends have you on track to outpace women?s fashion sales over the next five years. So, admit it. You want to look good. You?re watching the trends. You?re buying. As long as you?re shopping, here are a few fall/winter fashions to keep in mind.
Casual-Formal Combo
Sportswear combined with formal for hybrid style, i.e., polo shirts or sneakers with a suit. Formal dress codes are morphing. It?s about combining pieces the smart way to look sharp with a sense of ease.
Western
Cowboy boots in snakeskin, ultra-pointed, also in stand-out colors, like white.
Checks & Plaid
Worn head to toe. Whether bold, bright, or classic. Tartan, window-pane, madras,?Prince of Wales, checkered patterns are faves. Monotone or not, these prints work for office or leisure.Grab a glen-plaid sport Jacket.
Corduroy
A ribbed velvet version is a fall essential. Elevated to double-duty?casual, but will work for dressier looks, too. A dark blue is the pick of the moment and will define a variety of looks. Tip: With a corduroy jacket, keep your shirt and tie simple.
Layering
Vests, sweaters, and cardigans under blazers and jackets.
Pinstripes
Once the icon of business dress, now for sporty looks, too. Top picks: blue or gray pinstripe flannel suit.
Brown
Not a forgotten color anymore. Beige and shades of chocolate are key classics. Pair with other naturals and green. You own a camel coat, right? Now, add a sports coat with brown in it.
Outerwear
Trench coats, bomber jackets, and leather coats are fall trends. Newest? A long length leather coat worn with or without a belt. There are eco-leather versions. Another update, quilted jackets and coats, which are warm but not bulky and look sophisticated.
Ties
Thick and knit neckties are back.
Orange
Big shade of the season. Prefer an understated version? Go for orange accent pieces ? beanie, sneakers, socks. Okay with bold? Try an orange sweater. Pair this statement color with browns ? and blacks, if you dare.
Beanie
Worn on top of the head instead of pulled down tight. The real news is color ? neon. Hottest pick: neon yellow (check out the neon yellow Carhartt beanie. dickssportinggoods.com.) Warm, good for a bad-hair day, and instantly contemporizes a look.
In the words of Larry David, ?Anyone can be confident with a full head of hair. But a confident bald man, there?s your diamond in the rough.?
