Bear it all
Syracuse is finally thawing, which means guys can toss away those coats and grab anything they can to show off their freshly toned biceps and calves. But be careful: Take off too much and a spring look quickly becomes a ‘Guys Gone Wild’ video gone bad. Heed this advice on the hottest trends of the spring season and you’ll transition to the summer just fine.
One of the easiest ways to be in with the times is to throw on a pair of good old-fashioned boat shoes. Sperry Top-Siders have been a hit for years, but with the Gucci brand flooding the runway with the yacht-side staples, the shoes are a bigger hit than ever. This season in particular features a variety of bright colors. A.J. Ellis, a senior retail management and marketing major and the founder of street style blog ‘The Stitch Society,’ said that these shoes work for any guy.
‘They work great if you color code the shoes to your outfit,’ he said. ‘Play with the color tones the shoes themselves have in the different parts.’
The best part?
‘They look even better worn-in,’ he said. ‘You don’t need to buy a new pair because they just get hotter.’
While the distressed look doesn’t work across the board, color is everywhere this season. Major eyewear designers are turning away from sleek features to chunkier, color-infused frames this year.
‘Chunky works better on most faces,’ Ellis said. ‘If you have a fat face, slim glasses will make it look like the fat is pouring out on either side. That’s like muffin topping your face.’
Phillip Crook, a graduate student in arts journalism, agreed that thickness and color are the best accessory accents.
‘It’s in line with the hipster vibe, a little more updated rock ‘n’ roll,’ he said.
It is important to keep that color rolling with bright-faced watches, a recent trend amongst time-telling powerhouses like Breitling and Omega.
‘A really funky watch can really evoke personal style and make a statement,’ Crook said. ‘Just don’t bling it out.’
Bright colors work great with the staple of all spring staples – the deep V-neck tee.
‘Straight guys are afraid of these because they see gay guys wearing them with chains. But they can totally pull them off,’ Ellis said. ‘But all guys should realize they’re great because they show off pecs. Staring at cleavage is a two-way street.’
This season, ladies aren’t the only ones who can show off their legs. In line with the past few years, plaid shorts are a great way for guys to grab a little color without too much effort. Pull out a color from the pattern and find a similar tone for your top.
‘It’s easy to do – it’s like dressing by numbers,’ Crook said. ‘Just don’t match. The dead match is ugly. Find shades that are a few colors lighter or darker.’
Spring is also the perfect time to switch out jackets for blazers. Ellis said it’s all about mixing casual and formal with this look.
‘It’s good for going out, or even going to the beach,’ he said. ‘Roll up the sleeves and unbutton the shirt underneath. It’s casual, but it shows you put some thought into it.’
Keep these tips in mind and you’re on your way to a trendier spring. Just, dear God, stay away from fedoras.
Said Ellis, ‘No matter what, you can’t pull it off.
Published on March 9, 2010 at 12:00 pm
