The 6 Biggest Style Lessons from New York Fashion Week Men’s

These must-have fashion tips will come in handy all the way through 2016

For the first time in more than 16 years, men’s designers had their own dedicated fashion week in New York. There, the best known and soon-to-be-favorite American designers alike showed us the trends you’ll be wearing in 2016. 

Here are seven things you need to know to keep your style sharp right now—and all the way through the next Presidential election. 

EXPECT ADDED PERFORMANCE FROM YOUR CLOTHES

It might be as simple as a cinched ankle on a suit pant, a track stripe on a blazer, or stretch material woven into your favorite tailored clothing for added ease of movement. In any case, you can expect to find more sporty inspiration in next year’s collections.

Pro Tip: The magic is in mixing athletic pieces with more traditional ones, so don’t don running shoes with these sports-inspired looks. 

BLUE AND WHITE ARE HAVING A MOMENT

Some seasons, the key colors can feel a little challenging to incorporate into your wardrobe. (Damn you, mustard yellow!) Not so with next spring’s collections, which are rife with colors inspired from clear skies and the azure waters of the Mediterranean.

Pro Tip: These hues might as well be neutrals, so you have tons of options. You can go monochromatic, wear them with pops of color or other neutrals, or mix varying shades of one color for a clean, cool look.

GO BOLD WITH TEXTURE

Maybe you’re not the guy who likes to attract attention with a bright yellow raincoat or a pop of red at your feet. No big deal. Make your statement with textures, like buttery suede, crinkled linen, puckered seersucker, or cushy jacquard rendered in muted neutrals.

Pro Tip: Enjoy the low-upkeep lifestyle of bold textures—no need to iron that linen suit when you take it out of the suitcase!—but keep it balanced. Combine them with fine, flat surfaces—like a simple cotton shirt—so that they don’t compete with each other or overwhelm your look.

FORGET STRIPES AND CHECKS—THESE ARE YOUR NEW GO-TOS

Nautical stripes and checked shirts will always occupy a space in menswear. But if you want to show a little more personality, geometric shapes inspired by art and architecture are a sure bet. Or channel a more laid-back bohemian vibe with batik and Shibori (Japanese dying technique) patterns.

Pro Tip: These patterns will dominate your looks, so let them shine by pairing them with solids—or better yet, neutrals—that won’t compete.

GROUND YOUR OUTFIT WITH CHUNKY SHOES

There’s nothing that makes your feet feel more powerful than thick soles and gripping rubber treads. Save your classic soles and streamlined shapes for dressy looks. Stocky shoes and sandals are right in step with the easy silhouettes of spring clothes.

Pro Tip: Always match your shoe profile to your pant leg. If your trousers or jeans are on the leaner side, you’ll want to wear a sleeker shoe. Medium- and wide-leg pants offer enough oomph for your lower half. 

LOOSEN UP YOUR SILHOUETTE

For so many seasons, suits, shirts, and trousers have ventured into slimmer and sleeker territories. Next spring, you can ease up with longer shirts, knits, and tailored clothing. Trousers and shorts are taking a break as well, with loose legs, longer lengths, and flowing shapes dominating the runways.

Pro Tip: As always, seek balance for any look. If your shorts are baggy, your top should be fitted so you’re not lost in a sea of fabric. Loose jackets will look best with leaner trousers.

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