The Sartorialists

Fashion. What to make of it? I mean, even the truckies and the toads like to dress up. New rubber under the toes for those who are cool with flashing their hairy metatarsals to the world, a slick toupee for the bald, a pair of short floral shorts as spring loads, a singlet that cuts low on the chest – the perfect piece to flex the winter hours spent at the gym. Girls and denim shorts cut high and rough as though the legs have been ripped off in hot pursuit.  One thing’s for certain, whether we know it or not, there are tastemakers out there ruling as to which Pantone chip we shimmy under, what pattern, what print. Here is a breakdown of what’s hot on their lips this season: for the closet dapper among us we still rocking check and plaids, raw denim, Dr Martens or Vans. Then there’s the throwback hippy kids throwing nostalgia as rhyme and reason for their fruity ensembles. What to wear? Cats shimmying under bowler caps with feathers and woollen scarves that run the neck and all the way to the toes, a button-down left out to drop just above the knees, I think oversize is the term, and in the colour of night, tight raw jeans and winkle pickers. Silver bangles and leather plaids hanging like fruits from the wrists. You wouldn’t know spring is loading. Singlets in stripes both weaved and printed, plain in every Pantone. Why stop at one? Layer upon layer, but no more than three. Bermuda shorts in seersucker or Hawaiian print, or washed-back with acid, stopping just above the knee. Brogues, no socks, at least not visible. And more fruit from the wrists. No caps, this season, we’re cosy under a saucer of felt. There’s short-sleeve button down, with the same pantone prints as the shorts. Pony them together or break in a clash. Feel hippy free, man. Coffee stains add character. But the most amazing thing happening right now is the global accessibility to steez of every flavour. New York City. Man, what a place. Sharpestdressed men in all the lands. Japanese. Suits are worn best by the little men with the yella highlights. And, in London, old Pete Doherty is still making crack, sallow skin and filthy claws desirable. Or maybe it’s just the Fred Perry/Raf Simon collab polos. – Jethro Lyons, sartorialist.