In the StylesMen portal we have always insisted on the importance of style, unlike the transitory fashion. As such, it would be disingenuous on our part to suggest that the chamois is more deserving today of a place in his closet than it was a year or two ago.
That said, StylesMen does his best to keep you up to date on the direction in which the trade winds of fashion are blowing.
You should know, then, that in the coming season you will see the most tactile cousin of the leather enjoying a moment of fame. The chamois profile will be driven by a trend among top male fashion designers towards a softer and more informal aesthetic, inspired by the 1970s.
This is just good news, because the more brands that accept suede, you can have a greater variety of options.
Naturally, this versatility means that there are a large number of ways to work on your appearance. In the following guide of suede for gentlemen, we will present some of them.
Keep things simple. The best looks are those that somehow manage to be more than the sum of their parts. What strikes us about the attire of the man in bicycle of the photo are the few elements that integrate it: only jeans, a shirt, a suede jacket and a pair of sunglasses. But there is a synergy in the simple but striking combination of forest green suede and indigo denim.
Used with a carefree attitude: consider rolled-up sleeves and relaxed body language. This is the unmistakable expression of a man who knows he is well dressed. The lesson here is not to complicate things. Another color or other accessory would have made him look like the “Mr. bow tie and braces.
Combine it with camouflage. If you are going to do something, you must do it correctly – and maybe there is no better way to welcome the chamois in your life and your wardrobe than with a raincoat. It’s a good investment, and it’s something you’ll use again and again – especially if you get it in this dark tan color. But surely you wonder how can I use it in a contemporary way?
Experiment with different textures. Putting impracticality at the top of glamorous impracticality, a cream-colored suede coat might seem like a luxury to some. (This image reminds us of a couple of the unwritten rules of the owner of a suede garment: avoid drinks and stay in close contact with your dry cleaner.)
Adopt the dark side. A black velvet blazer is a popular option for the night, due to the ability of the fabric to absorb light, which gives it an intense black appearance. The chamois, another fabric of great texture, has the same quality. This makes it ideal to add another dimension to the monochromatic look, which, despite its enduring popularity among fashion connoisseurs, is always susceptible to accusations of being less adventurous.
Channel your inner cowboy style. If we were looking for the roots of the current infatuation of the fashion world with all the things of 1970, the worst thing we would do would be to start our research with Mr. Hedi Slimane, the influential creative director behind the recent successes of Saint Laurent. His vision of “psych rock’s new rising” was the theme of the brand’s new spring collection, which was laden with western-style suede jackets – not very different from the one worn here by Mr.’s product sub-editor. Porter, Shane Kurup.
Use it on a suit. What immediately draws attention here is the unexpected contrast between the elegant lines of the suit jacket and the substantial, square-shaped silhouette of the suede-skin collar, which would not look out of place in a combat pilot of the First World War.
Or wear it as work clothes. Defended by men, such as the legendary urban-style photographer Bill Cunningham, the blue cotton jacket for work has become a staple of men’s fashion in recent years. This blue suede jacket is undoubtedly the star of the show here, and its wearer has wisely chosen to tone down the rest of his outfit with a gray polo shirt and light blue chinos.