Neiman Marcus private-label pocket squares.
There are guys out there who just throw things together, and it works. Then there are the rest of us. We have to think about it. We have to learn. Sometimes, we have to try hard without looking as if we’re trying at all. I say there’s nothing wrong with stealing a little style. Prints dominated the market for early spring, from ’40s-style geometrics to vivid florals, checks, and plaids. During the shows in New York, Milan, and Paris, I saw guys on the street rocking multiple prints at once. I’m not sure who was leading whom, because on the runway (notably at Etro, Givenchy, Burberry, and Gucci) I saw patterned suits with contrasting shirts and ties. There were casual incarnations, too, with clashing polos and chinos. You might want to ease into this trend. Accomplish that by grounding a print with a solid. If you choose a printed jacket and shirt, wear solid pants. If that’s still too much print for you, start slower. How about a tie or pocket square in a bold print? (Tom Ford offers the ultimate in printed ties this season.) Or maybe a short-sleeve shirt in a mini floral like those from Etro? Any would look great with a basic jacket. For the daring and runway-inspired, go ahead, take a risk. Let your imagination run wild. Be the ultimate peacock. Perhaps the most dynamic print options are from Givenchy—toy fighter jets (inspired by designer Riccardo Tisci’s childhood) in a clash with oversize paisleys. There’s no wrong way to mix, but a good rule of thumb is to vary scale and stay with colors in the same family. Keep your eyes open when you see another man’s style you like, whether on the runway or the street. And just this once, forget what you’ve been taught about stealing.
