subject: Men's Style Investments For 2010 [print this page] Fashion always involves some investmentFashion always involves some investment. Fortunately, it's not an expense that you have to incur very frequently, especially if you subscribe to the quality over quantity principle. 2010 is bound to bring with it a whole year's worth of new trends in men's style, which likely means a purchase or two down the road. Spotting these trends ahead, however, lets you buy all the key items early on, before they're so popular, and so expensive.
Plastic Watch
Since men's fashion is all about heritage, tradition and quality, it might seem strange that plastic would get recommended for an item that's usually done in precious metals. This year, however, you just might be seeing a shift in public attitudes toward plastic watches.
Plastic timepieces are largely restricted to a young, prepubescent audience that's fond of bright colors and cheap goods. Your segment of the market, however, isn't always averse to such things; it looks like bright colors will be an upcoming trend in the spring, while few men are against buying inexpensive fashion. Plastic watches might not be a long term commitment, but they're worth buying for the next year or so.
What's not to like about them (besides the material)? They're functional. They're fun. And with manufacturers like Nixon selling them for less than $100 a pop, they offer pretty good value for money. If you want a quick style piece that adds a jolt of color, this is it. Throw it on over any casual outfit or to give shock value to your usual office attire.
Structured Leather Bag
Men's luggage is one segment of the market that's been changing quite a lot these past couple of years - fairly rapid, all things considered. From artisanal leather to outdoorsy canvas, trends in bags have been coming hard and fast. The next movement looks like it's in the direction of luxurious leather bags that have some structure to them.
As financial problems forced everyone - including the fashion industry - to go back to the basics, so did the design perspective on bags. But since there's a near consensus on how stuffy the traditional old briefcase is, a less rigid (but still structured) replacement was in order. Look for ones that have a defined rectangular shape, but aren't necessarily rigid all throughout so that you avoid the look of the ancestral briefcase.
Choose it like you would any other item for work. That is, minimize external detailing and prioritize function over form. Aim for a bag that's as simple as possible, yet can accommodate all of the things you need for work at the same time.
Three-Piece Suit
A new year might not seem like significant cause to buy yourself a new suit, but a three-piece job is always a good buy - regardless of the time of year - if you don't already have one. It's an even better idea now that it's turning out to be such a major fashion trend.
Throwing a vest into the standard two-piece mix has its advantages. First of all, it adds some definition and shape to your midsection, thanks to the support of the vest. From a practical standpoint, it lets you look sharp and dapper even when you've ditched your jacket - something you're wont to do anyway. At the same time, you get to adopt a much more mature and traditional look, without necessarily looking stuffy if the suit's cut right.
A three-piece suit in black can seem much too imposing even for the highest officers in the office. Pick one up in navy or gray instead so that you don't end up like you meant to dress up for an opera gala. Chalk or pin stripes should also help lighten the mood of your suit. Wear it like you would your two piece suit, only make an extra effort to pick a tie that stands out to balance the visual real estate of the suit itself.
Quality should be a constant factor in all your fashion purchases. Remember that these are investments and not mere expenses, so you've also got to think about whether the items can last at least a few years of service.
by: Hendrik Pohl
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