November 24, 2015 | Style & Beauty
The menswear of yesteryear—unshapely suits peddled to uneducated consumers is (thankfully) a thing of the past. Today’s gentleman is significantly more discerning toward dress, and is solicited by myriad soothsayers trumpeting superior fabric and fit.
The standout for bespoke menswear? Knot Standard, a custom clothier that synthesizes your measurements to build a 3D model, and then creates a custom digital pattern to produce laser-cut and hand-assembled garments. So although there’s no algorithm to fashion forecasting, we combed their inventory to predict 2016’s menswear trends.
Floral prints blossomed in 2015 and show no signs of wilting soon. Swap petals for paisley, the enduring design enjoying a revival in light of dudes’ embrace of all-over motifs. What once screamed “corporate raider” now coos “classically rakish.”
How to Wear It:
Contain busy prints to limited real estate, like on a necktie (Try Drake’s Yellow & Burgundy Paisley Silk Tie, $195 on knotstandard.com). Pair with a muted, monochromatic dress shirt to let the paisley breathe without overpowering. And when it comes to collars, we prefer to run the spread offense.
Tapered fit enthusiasts we might be, but we’re ready to retire 2015’s jogger craze and return to straight-legged sensibility. Cords are the timeless transition trouser, whether it’s your spring staple or autumnal aesthetic.
How to Wear It:
Taupe is a nope and brown is a bore, so explore the color palette (Try Classic Plum Corduroys, $155 on knotstandard.com). Hem the cuffs so you leave your ankle exposed and top the look off with driving loafers—if you can’t sip sparkling water on the bluffs of Monte Carlo, you can certainly dress like it.
With the proliferation of fast fashion, suiting up isn’t the esoteric exercise it used to be. True dandies should double down: Embrace your Wilde side with the ambitious double-breasted jacket.
How to Wear It:
If you find a six-button jacket daunting, start out with a safe shade like dark grey (Try the Madison Dark Grey Nailshead Suit, $695 on knotstandard.com). And since the double-breasted style emphasizes your frame more so than its single-breasted counterpart, keep the cut slim to avoid a boxy display.
The peacoat is akin to sipping your first pale ale: It’s your introduction to more sophisticated tastes. So while that gateway garment introduced us to finer fashion, we’re subbing the now-standard peacoat and bringing the traditional overcoat off the bench.
How to Wear It:
Opt for a slim silhouette, especially if you sport a taller frame. Though we always advocate a splash of color, going grey (Try the Hudson Stone Grey Overcoat, $1,295 on knotstandard.com) extends its lifespan past the winter months. Lastly, lapels should be turned up within temple-tickling proximity.
The spread of “athleisure” confirmed what was once thought practice just among the Tumblr commentariat: Pairing suits with sneakers is here to stay. Give your tired, your poor, and your basic brogues a rest—gum soles are yearning to breathe free.
How to Wear It:
Tempting though it might be, leave your Jordans for the hardwood. Simplicity is key here: Pair an understated suit, like a desert sand single-breasted number (Try the Madison Desert Sand Suit, $695 on knotstandard.com), with conventional classics like Chuck Taylors, Jack Purcells, or Sandlot-era PF Flyers so you look more Kanye West 808’s than fashion heartbreak.
Knot Standard’s private showroom is located at 2304 14th St. NW. Book your online appointment on knotstandard.com.
