SPRING 2012 MEN’S FASHION – IT’S ALL ABOUT THE SUIT

Whether three pieces, double breasted or constructed in a kick-ass color, men’s fashion this spring is all about the suit. That’s right, I said suit. And yes, for spring. Not board shorts and flip-flops. Not cargo pants and an old polo. While I understand that a suit is not the average male’s idea of dinner, bar or club wear, I encourage you to cast aside your holey denim, pit-stained tees and college sweatshirts. It’s time to embrace the suit –and its inherently masculine allure. Whether your personality is subdued or exuberant, carefully muted or wildly colorful, you’ll find suit-tastic inspiration on the spring runways of today’s hottest men’s fashion designers.

If you want to look expertly put together without having to worry too much about your shirt staying perfectly tucked while you’re busting a move on the dance floor, consider a three-piece suit. The newest incarnations of this classic style are slimmer in cut to enhance their suave sophistication. The vest, or waistcoat, conceals a multitude of sins, from a less-than-perfect shirt to love handles. Alexander McQueen presented a brilliant one-button three-piece suit in a sandy neutral stripe. John Varvatos showed a fabulous one-button three-piece in dove grey.

Double-breasted suits are a dashing, continental choice. Throw one on and appear as though you just stepped off the French Riviera rather than a dusty old curb in Tucson. If your beer belly is particularly Herculean, you may want to avoid the double-breasted. It will only call attention to the party pig under your shirt. This style is best suited to taller, lankier chaps. Band of Outsiders, Simon Spurr and Lanvin all presented to-die-for double-breasted suits this season. Most notable, however, were Lanvin’s shocking purple iteration and Spurr’s double-breasted suit in dove grey with black leather sleeves and trousers.

Single-breasted suits are figure flattering on all body types. If you’re particularly tall, consider one with a three-button jacket. Two buttons work well on most men. If you’re feeling funky and creative, consider a one-button version. This suit style looks exceptionally sharp when cut from boldly colored cloth. Lanvin brought color to the runway with a one-button slim cut red suit. Paired with a light blue shirt and mustard tie, it was effortlessly eye-catching. Bottega Veneta featured two more of spring’s hottest menswear colors in the form of a three-button suit in robin’s egg blue and another in a fresh moss green.

Whatever suit style you choose, stand tall and stand proud. Your dudes may give you grief, but you can bet any females in the room will have eyes for only you.