It takes confidence for a man to wear a screaming yellow rain slicker and carrying a scarlet (not red) accessory bag. Sporting thick green-rimmed shades not only preserves a degree of understandable anonymity, but also completes the traffic light look.
Spring and Summer 2014 fashions, a GQ trend report suggests, are all about bold – not necessarily screaming — colors, eye-catching accessories and a fair amount of cheeky snarl. As in Bieberesque, not Brandoesque, snarl. Marketers beware: The move from silly to serious has yet to take hold. Fancifully Upstart And Harmless seems to be the order of the fashion day. Gear any sales messages accordingly, it would seem.
A few must-have items, according to the magazine, when the warm weather signals a wardrobe expansion:
- 1.
Color Your Suits
Navy and gray will still be around for a while. Mostly because some of us can tell the difference between Brando and Bieber. Getting noticed by the boss while in a wear-to-work item will require more of a Miami Vice approach, says GQ. You remember Miami Vice. In-between Brando and Bieber. Where this entire male fashion shift probably hit its nadir. Keep color choices cool and even a gray t-shirt can look like it belongs in the ensemble. Cue the Circle Line chase scene down the Hudson, please.
- 2.
Double Your Pleasure
The double-breasted blazer remains a staple for the cruise-ship captain look. Take things a step further with pants of a wholly different color. Make that really wholly and you’ll leapfrog an Italianesque look (without no snarl whatsoever) right into sherbet preppy. One upside: The look works with jeans and a t-shirt.
- 3.
Shrieking Slickers
Does anything shout “Fancifully Upstart And Harmless” louder than raincoats in colors that would make a family planning device maker squint in pain? Some apparently come in color blocked combinations that look more at home at Belmont Park than in Central Park.
- 4.
Bandana Bonanza
Some folks past a certain age will recall that bandanas of different colors, depending on where worn, sent risqué messages. Or at least that’s what a movie or two implied. As long as you’re OK with some codger informing you as to that fact, scarf away.
- 5.
Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Button-front sweaters – the kind that Mr. Rogers and Kurt Cobain used to wear, though not share, so far as anyone knows – are making a comeback. There’s room to go preppy or punk, your call. Just don’t tell Speedy Delivery Man McFeely what’s in that brown paper-wrapped package.
- 6.
Rockabilly Lives
Combine some western-style wear with a sporty choice, throw in some genuine American denim and don a pair of mirrored sunglasses to complete the hipster rebel look. Hey, it might not change the world, but everyone will know that you’re a genuinely amalgamated 21st century American.
- 7.
Advanced Plaid
Do not attempt to adjust your device, glass-computer wearers. The new “in” patterns are more subtle and blended than the typical summer versions seen in exclusive eastern U.S. summer enclaves. Stick with the more muted versions, paired with a slightly faded solid or two. Unless you want someone to ask you if you got that coat from Grandpa’s closet.
- 8.
Ying Yang Contrast
Black-and-white combos help when confused about getting your look just right. How do you stumble over a mere two hues? Other than, maybe, latching onto an optical illusion-type pattern? Which could still be cool when paired with a solid. Like black. Or white. Got it?
- 9.
Short Can Be Sweet
Ultra-short-sleeved shirts can give the appearance of being fit and hip at the same time – as long as you avoid making the mistake of trying to shove a 10-pound sack of potatoes into a 5-pound bag.