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Fashion Trends for Boomer Men

At a week of New York City shows devoted to men, class ruled

By Nancy Brenner

Brace yourself: gentility is back in style, as seen at the first-in-a-decade New York Fashion Week: Men.

Why, suddenly, does men's fashion get its own week — 60 shows — on the runway? Because urban Millennials are interested, and high-income boomers are buying. Retail sales figures for men’s clothing are eclipsing the growth rate of women’s wear in the U.S., according to research firm Euromonitor. By 2017, menswear is anticipated to grow by 8 percent to $110.3 billion.

Men: If you haven't upped your wardrobe game in years, it's time to reboot.  As I covered the menswear shows for my blog, I noticed several trends that will provide an immediate refresh. Menswear today includes elegant, sophisticated silhouettes, a style of dressing that may remind you of your dad or grandpa. But don't go digging in the attic for tiepins, neckerchiefs, vests, your papa's oxford shoes or suits that belong to another era. Unless done with extraordinary finesse, picking through the past will leave men looking like they have emerged from another era — more pastiche than pizzazz.

Also tune in to the modern geometric prints and vibrant shades (think taxicab yellow) that are trending this season, as well as the camouflage trend that’s good for a novelty pick-me-up.

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Keep in mind that how clothes fit is key to finesse. Today’s tailored look is a boon for men who don’t bike to work and have a little to hide. Designer names to know for great fit: Tom Snyder, David Hart, Eponymovs and Michael Bastian. They switch up their style game while sticking to classic silhouettes. Life is better when you’re natty, not ratty.

More trends from the week:

1 of 17

Footwear

Fear not, there are small steps to take if you are not ready for a full on makeover – for starters, fix the footwear. Consider the Johnston & Murphy oxfords, monk straps, sleek patent leather styling that have encroached the runway and real way.

Footwear

Fear not, there are small steps to take if you are not ready for a full on makeover – for starters, fix the footwear. Consider the Johnston & Murphy oxfords, monk straps, sleek patent leather styling that have encroached the runway and real way.

Footwear

Fear not, there are small steps to take if you are not ready for a full on makeover – for starters, fix the footwear. Consider the Johnston & Murphy oxfords, monk straps, sleek patent leather styling that have encroached the runway and real way.

Prints and Primary Colors

If you're in a creative field, or planning a weekend getaway or vacation, make a play for prints. Many that are hot now give a nod to the 1960s California culture and early modernist inspired geometric prints. Note: the week’s prints had universal appeal. Some women at the shows said that menswear is starting to mirror the women’s lines, and that they would gladly borrow bright prints from the guys.

Sunglasses

Sonnies, it's time to upgrade your sunnies. Consider building a portfolio of fashionable spectacles. Nothing dates you more than out of tune eyewear from the former Bush administration. Nothing sours a business deal or blind date more than a bygone era.

Sunglasses

Sonnies, it's time to upgrade your sunnies. Consider building a portfolio of fashionable spectacles. Nothing dates you more than out of tune eyewear from the former Bush administration. Nothing sours a business deal or blind date more than a bygone era.

White on White

In addition to layering shirts under sweaters, hoodies over swimwear, now hue upon hue are thrown together with studied abandoned. Most likely to be paired was white upon white, using different textures so your look isn’t Casper the Friendly Ghost or the Pillsbury doughboy.

Blue on Blue

Vivid blues in indigo, navy and cobalt add a vibrant youthful energy to classics. If you're a strictly navy fan, don't limit it to nautical. Consider pairing the look with hunter green.

Blue on Blue

Vivid blues in indigo, navy and cobalt add a vibrant youthful energy to classics. If you're a strictly navy fan, don't limit it to nautical. Consider pairing the look with hunter green.

50 Shades of Red

Red shirts and jackets dominated at the Timo Weiland show. Nearly every designer used the hue, from the wine tinted lenses in sunnies, to hot piping, to lush sweaters.

50 Shades of Red

Red shirts and jackets dominated at the Timo Weiland show. Nearly every designer used the hue, from the wine tinted lenses in sunnies, to hot piping, to lush sweaters.

50 Shades of Red

Red shirts and jackets dominated at the Timo Weiland show. Nearly every designer used the hue, from the wine tinted lenses in sunnies, to hot piping, to lush sweaters.

Leather

The Shinola leather collection in tan and cornflower blue can add brightness to your collection of bike and doctor’s bags. Expect not 30 seconds to pass before you get a compliment on these props.

Leather

The Shinola leather collection in tan and cornflower blue can add brightness to your collection of bike and doctor’s bags. Expect not 30 seconds to pass before you get a compliment on these props.

Statement Dressing

Embrace attire that makes your heart sing, not your wallet sting. If you elect to splurge, invest in on a collectible piece from the Bauhaus inspired primary colored collection by David Hart. Make some noise with your clothes. Add a corsage, a longer jacket length if you’re headed to a wedding, or about to propose a marriage for the first, second, or fifth time. Or even if you are about to propose a merger.

Statement Dressing

Embrace attire that makes your heart sing, not your wallet sting. If you elect to splurge, invest in on a collectible piece from the Bauhaus inspired primary colored collection by David Hart. Make some noise with your clothes. Add a corsage, a longer jacket length if you’re headed to a wedding, or about to propose a marriage for the first, second, or fifth time. Or even if you are about to propose a merger.

Statement Dressing

Embrace attire that makes your heart sing, not your wallet sting. If you elect to splurge, invest in on a collectible piece from the Bauhaus inspired primary colored collection by David Hart. Make some noise with your clothes. Add a corsage, a longer jacket length if you’re headed to a wedding, or about to propose a marriage for the first, second, or fifth time. Or even if you are about to propose a merger.

 
 
Nancy Brenner Nancy Brenner blogs on fashion at garmentdistrictdiva.tumblr.com covering fashion from the sample sale bins to the front row. Follow her on Twitter @samplesalediva   Read More
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