Fall 2014 is looking fresh and exciting with many directions to consider. Here is the ‘hit list’ of what’s most wearable and ‘real’ straight off the runways of Paris, Milan and London, from our point of view at Visual Therapy.
1. The Coat
As a collector of coats, Fall 2014 is a literal candy store. As seen on the runways of Maison Martin Margiela, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Rick Owens and Belstaff, the bigger and the more neutral in color, the better — loving the capes too.
2. Tailoring
Tailoring is extreme this fall, it’s either a super slim silhouette or big and boxy. My favorites, of course, are all slim tailoring. From chic tweed and wool ensembles (Berluti and Fendi) to touches of fur (Fendi) and leather (Costume National), luxurious fabrications are in the spotlight as well.
3. Texture
Chunky knitwear with an unexpected twist — such as Silvia Venturini Fendi’s pale olive sweater with fur detail — big trend for men on the Fall 2014 runways.
4. Military
Utilitarian of Belstaff, was seen in a most luxurious light in Berluti and with an edge by Balmain — a favorite menswear trend to watch in 2014.
5. Brown & Green
Whether you like it or not, some of the leading colors for Fall 2014 are brown and green — from olive to pea green, with the latter being a notoriously hard sell for men. Neil Barrett, Louis Vuitton, Rick Owens and Bottega Veneta spearhead the trend.
6. Deep, Dark Shades
If you’re not big on colors, here’s your solution: deep, dark shades, especially navy, dominated the runways as well. Head to Berluti, Hermes and Costume National for inspiration.
7. Tonal
Another color trend is tonal dressing. From shades of brown and white at Berluti, to greys at Bottega Veneta, tonal dressing creates a super chic and modern look.
8. Luxury + Sport
In the Fall 2014 collections, luxury meets sportswear in a very subtle way. Elements of sport are incorporated into tailoring and fabrications, as seen at Hermes and Bottega Veneta.
9. Street Casual
Street style isn’t going anywhere. Dsquared2 and Bottega Veneta have nailed the look, infusing some of the other trends, like the neutral coat and sportswear elements. Don’t forget to throw on a grey hat to complete your casual look this fall.
10. Futurism
Riccardo Tisci’s avant-garde motives for the Fall 2014 Givenchy collection deserve a separate mention. Over-constructed yet loose designs and abstract colors create the ultimate vision for the man of the future.
Joe Lupo is Visual Therapy’s (www.visual-therapy.com) co-founder and creative director.
