Men’s 2015 Summer Fashion Trends

5 Trends To Master For SS15

From vibrant orange outerwear to suits with trainers, 2014 has been a year for breaking new ground in menswear.

As we close the doors on 2014 and dive head first into the start of a new ‘fashion season’, we thought it fitting to highlight the five key trends you need to be familiar with for spring/summer 2015…

1. Statement Stripes

A mainstay of both the casual and formal sides of our wardrobe, stripes are (as usual) expected to be big news for SS15.

The stripe was given pride of place in collections from Gucci and Jonathan Saunders to Casely-Hayford and Emporio Armani, where they were applied to a wide variety of garments including both tailored staples like smart trousers and shirts, as well as more relaxed jumpers and accessories.

With stripes a perennial spring/summer trend, there will be no shortage of options this year. If you already own a classic Breton top, our recommendation would be to branch out into striped tailoring, legwear (shorts or trousers) or knitwear. Also consider opting for a thicker block-stripes or bold coloured motifs in order to bring a modern twist to this timeless pattern.

To put stripes into practice, try teaming your essential Breton tee with a pair of tailored chino shorts and loafers for an off-duty, summer-ready look, switching to slim pinstripe trousers, a navy two-button blazer, white shirt and monk-straps for something that’s more evening-appropriate.

Note: Before you rush out and purchase, it’s worth remembering that different stripes will have different effects on your overall size and shape. Horizontal stripes tend to make you look wider by breaking up the vertical silhouette, while vertical stripes draw the eye down quickly, giving the illusion of length/height. With this in mind, if you’re short and squat, you’re better off avoiding the former, while lankier gentlemen would do well to stay away from the latter.

Lookbook Inspiration

Key Pieces

1. BOSS ORANGE SLIM SWEATPANTS WITH FINE STRIPE

1. ALLSAINTS BRAMFORD BRETON POLO

1. TOPMAN MULTI COLOURED STRIPED SOCKS

1. AUSTIN REED VIYELLA BOATING STRIPE JACKET

1. RIVER ISLAND NAVY CONTRAST STRIPE SHORT SLEEVE T-SHIRT

1. M&S COLLECTION PURE COTTON MARL STRIPED POLO SHIRT

1. REISS SANDY CLASSIC STRIPE T-SHIRT ORANGE

1. REISS SKILLS STRIPE CREW -NECK JUMPER CHARCOAL

1. GANT RUGGER STRIPED COTTON-OXFORD HALF-PLACKET SHIRT

1. POLO RALPH LAUREN STRIPED WOVEN-COTTON SHORTS

1. GANT RUGGER STRIPED WOOL SWEATER

1. CLUB MONACO STRIPED COTTON-JERSEY T-SHIRT

2. Double (Denim) Duty

From Tom Ford to Gucci, every designer and their denim-clad dog seemed to be celebrating this versatile, hard wearing fabric for spring/summer 2015.

Whether you like to keep things casual or refined, quality denim is a solid foundation for a multitude of looks. Simply team your favourite pair of jeans with a well-fitted T-shirt and some low-key trainers – à la James Dean – for coffee with friends, or pair your trusty denim trucker jacket with a knitted tie, Oxford shirt, crew neck jumper, trousers and loafers for a more relaxed take on tailoring.

If that sounds a little too safe for your liking, try doubling or tripling up on denim. Take a look at Tom Ford’s spring 2015 collection to see how he combined a denim shirt and jeans with a simple navy blazer and black leather boots. You could try that combination on for size, or look to pair a washed denim jacket with your favourite indigo jeans, broken up with a plain tee and pair of suede desert boots.

Note: When it comes to denim, taking the cheapskate’s route will inevitably spell ruin. Invest in quality selvedge or raw denim – available from specialist labels such as A.P.C., Levi’s and Nudie – for something that looks the part and is built to last more than one season.

Lookbook Inspiration

Key Pieces

1. ALLSAINTS CORMORANT DENIM JACKET

1. ASOS DENIM SHIRT IN LONGLINE WITH MID WASH

1. HE BY MANGO SKINNY BLACK JUDE JEANS

1. NUDIE JEANS THIN FINN JEANS IN DRY TWILL

1. PAUL SMITH JEANS DENIM JACKET

1. REISS ROYCE WASHED DENIM SHIRT INDIGO

1. RIVER ISLAND LIGHT WASH SHORT SLEEVE DENIM SHIRT

1. RIVER ISLAND BLACK ACID WASH SKINNY STRETCH SHORTS

1. CHEAP MONDAY DENIM HOLDALL

1. FOLK REGULAR-FIT WASHED-DENIM SHORTS

1. MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA WASHED-DENIM OVERSHIRT

1. OFFICINE GENERALE SLIM-FIT SELVEDGE DENIM SUIT JACKET

3. Seeing Red

Bold, vibrant and bound to get the blood pumping, red is the definitive colour of SS15.

Dolce & Gabbana’s matador themed collection was brought to life by a wide array of tailored and sportswear-inspired separates, all rendered in shades of red, from blood to brick.

Often considered a tricky hue to carry off (particularly for fairer skin tones), red is best kept to one statement-making element – giving a punch to both casual and smart looks. For example, try a simple crimson crew neck t-shirt or pair of cherry chino shorts, anchored with neutral warm-weather staples.

For those unafraid to properly immerse themselves in the trend, a deep red suit worn with a white button-down shirt and black leather loafers is an outstanding evening wear choice for any warm-weather event, which cannot fail to get you noticed.

Lookbook Inspiration

Key Pieces

1. POLO RALPH LAUREN T-SHIRT WITH CREW NECK & LOGO

1. HE BY MANGO WOOL-BLEND CABLE-KNIT SWEATER

1. URBAN RENEWAL VINTAGE SURPLUS HARRINGTON JACKET IN BURGUNDY