5 Best Men’s Fashion Style Takeaways from London Fashion Week 2021
As part of London Fashion Week 2021 designers came out to play (digitally and COVID appropriately, of course), showcasing some of the latest men’s style trends, it begs the question — how has men’s fashion changed over the years in the UK? Take a step back in time.
The Evolution of Men’s Fashion
Men’s fashion in the UK has changed drastically in the last 100 years, with three-piece suits and hats being the staple of any British male’s wardrobe for the majority of the early 1900s. It wasn’t all trilbies and bow ties however, with war playing a huge part in a wave of simple, military style clothing, followed by the ‘Teddy Boy’ outbreak post-war, with men everywhere trying to do their best James Dean impression via slimmer cut trousers and velvet blazers.
The 60s revolutionised fashion, with colours, materials and textures being experimented with more than ever, ushering in a casual and playful style, while beginning to blur the line between men and women’s fashion. Icon David Bowie led the charge in the 70s with popular fits becoming slimmer still, ultimately being cut short by the dreaded 80s in which many fashion faux pax’s were committed through contrasting colours, luminous sportswear and shoulder pads as big as your head.
Bands like Nirvana and Oasis brought fashion into the grunge era in the 90s, as second-hand flannel shirts and Converse trainers became must have items. Fast-fashion, super skinny jeans and ugg boots dominated the 00s, followed by arguably the most important decade since the 60s — the 10s, in which sustainable, social media influencer and super-casual style was king. The latest men’s style trends haven’t changed much since then, but there is still a bumping of heads between fast-fashion and sustainability, with the former still seeing a rise in sales.
So what are the 5 best men’s fashion style takeaways from the London Fashion Week 2021 trends, that are going to give an idea of where this decade’s men’s style trends are heading?
5 Best Men’s Style Takeaways from LFW 2021
1. Gender fluidity — rock a skirt like it’s 2022
London Fashion Week men’s runway was spattered with gender fluidity, as the likes of Burberry and Harris Reed led the way, displaying how skirts and gowns can be a key piece for the summer or autumn wardrobe. This is also a trend that we have seen the likes of Harry Styles taking on too, on the cover of vogue no less, meaning we can expect to see it more often.
2. Scarves can be oversized too
What about winter? Well, step right up the oversized padded scarf. As fits have become looser and baggier in recent years, it only makes sense to see Mark Weston and Saul Nash incorporate the cold weather accessory into casual men’s styles.
3. Put on your dancing shoes
How many times have you got stuck with outfit difficulties when it comes to party time? Worry no more, as Edward Crutchley showed how party shoes can be a party of their own, with their extravagant loafers.
4. …and a jaunty neckerchief
A neckerchief, as shown by Priya Ahluwalia, loosely tied round a sweater or shirt neck will take a party outfit to new levels of special.
5. Don’t sleep on the trench coat
And don’t even think about sleeping on the trench coat. Dunhill and Burberry made statements featuring the ageless coat, in a variety of colours and styles, giving everyone the nod to go and buy a trench coat now and never look back.
Time will tell how men’s style will develop over the decade, which as seen in the history of the UK, is everchanging and ever-fluent. One thing for sure is that ecologically, sustainably produced clothing will remain a key theme, as the fashion industry fights to rid of its status as the third most polluting sector in the world, currently accounting for around five percent of global greenhouse emissions. London itself is on it’s own mission to be a net zero carbon city by 2030.
Despite being completely digital, the best designers from all over the world still brought their A-game, leading the sophomore London Fashion Week runway show of the decade. For now, baggy jeans, casual co-ords and bright, bold colour is in. Throw away those supposed masculine pre-requisitions, by picking up a fresh skirt and rocking it like it’s 2022.
