Gray has long been a vital color in the wardrobe of any well-dressed man – just take a look at the archive photos of Gary Cooper, one of the best-dressed actors of all time, if he needs to be convinced – but, Carrying it properly can also offer an urban and contemporary advantage. It looks good in the city (perhaps for all that concrete), and looks perfect both on cloudy days and opaque as in the sunny and radiant.
In the fall / winter collections there are many different shades of gray, especially from brands such as Brunello Cucinelli, Bottega Veneta and Acne Studios. Where to start, then?
There is a world of difference between the classic garments that inspired the novel “The man in the gray suit”, which was the writing of Sloan Wilson about the conformity of the postwar period, and the way in which contemporary designers use color. In fact, the most important style experts in the world have been taking and turning gray into something quite fun.
To develop the following updated guide, we turn to the streets of London, Paris and Milan for inspiration:
Soften it Simone Marchetti, fashion editor of the weekly style magazine of the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, looks delighted here with her gray attire, and rightly so-she has selected three classic male fashion elements and put them together in a fresh and casual way. It would be hard to imagine how a man wearing a cross suit and a coat might look relaxed, but the soft blue sweater – worn crucially shirtless – and the lightweight fabrics convey a modern and carefree attitude.
While the two grays here are almost identical, it is instructive to see how different they look because of the contrast in the texture of the suit’s fabric and coat. Of course, the fact that the jacket of the suit is unbuttoned and the overcoat over the shoulders, also influences the impression that this suit causes in the observer.
Combine it The gray creates a flat and neutral background that works really well as a base for vibrant pops of design and color. In the dress of Thom Browne, the distinctive tricolor grogrén peeks from below the cuffs of the jacket and combine with the colors of the scarf. The faint gray tone works perfectly with a blue shirt, giving it a serious and minimalist look that is very suitable for the office. In addition, the quilted vest adds a subtle note of Italian influence and that classic gold watch (Is that a crocodile skin strap?) Gives your outfit a nice touch of seriousness and class.
Gray and more gray. Italian fashion specialist Alessandro Squarzi, who contributes a number of brands, often captures the attention of photographers on the streets and for good reason. In what seems to be a cold day, Squarzi wears here an outfit that exudes sprezzatura, which is a highly discussed but rarely seen quality. The cotton pants match the white shirt, which contrast very well with the three layers of gray wool that take the form of a dark cardigan, a soft coat with striking white buttons and a coat that seems to have a certain martial wiggle.
Notice how the different shades of gray add a richness and quality in three dimensions to what is sometimes considered a rather flat color. The general impression is casual and confident, elegant enough to have a coffee with a client, and comfortable enough to spend a day working in the city.
Wear it with prints. Since gray is a fainter color, it can be a good counterpart for dense patterns, as seen in this photograph. Here a flannel coat with raglan sleeves covers the unusual blue and white jacket, which has a tuxedo collar and a striking zip with ribbons, almost like a robe. The bottom layer is a shirt inspired by the Op Art fashion that brings to mind the work of Bridget Riley, but the fundamental thing when it comes to fitting into the outfit is the low contrast that exists between the white and black shirt, the blue jacket and white and gray coat.
Highlight The appeal of gray goes beyond the suits and jackets. This modern-looking man changes his mood with black pleated trousers, which has a certain intensity thanks to the contrast between his color and the faint coat and sweater that complete his attire. The loose neck seems thick enough to keep you warm on the coldest days, while your coat is timeless and elegant at the same time. It seems as if this man is about to go out for drinks with the Irish playwright Samuel Beckett or to publish a literary magazine
