Autumn/Winter Men's Trend Forecast: Luxe Fabrics

With Spring not even here yet, and winter tightening it's grip on us, I am already looking to next Autumn/Winter for inspiration to beat the cold. On that note, a few trends jumped out at me whilst looking at the men's shows for next season. In this post I will be looking at the first; luxe fabrics.

It seems that minimalism is well and truly over, and subtlety is off the menu for next season. Instead we will all need to embrace our inner peacocks and let our clothes do the talking. Luxe fabrics are the key to this showmanship and there will be plenty to choose from. Velvets, furs and leathers...oh my.

Emporio Armani, Gucci, John Galliano and Viktor & Rolf all showed velvet, in belted jackets and blousons, belted short macs and trench coats. Navy and teal seemed to be the colour palette of choice. Team velvet outerwear pieces with smart bottoms and shoes, for the ultimate in luxe smart/casual.

Another key fabric for next season is leather. Although this may not sound too groundbreaking, this time leather was used in suiting and trousers. The full leather suit may be too out there for some, but the biker trouser is a good way to embrace the trend. Team with casual t-shirts and jackets to avoid the Matrix look.

Fur will also be key for the next season. With the dropping temperatures a nice fur coat wouldn't go amiss now, but I suppose I can wait 6 months. This is not one for the faint hearted, and ambling around London in a John Galliano fur creation is bound to turn heads. Or rock the exotic traveller look with a Damir Doma fur gilet.

For those who are on board with cold-weather peacockery, you can always clash luxury fabrics to maximise impact. Go for no-holds-barred dressing with fur coat and leather trouser, a-la Viktor & Rolf and Maison Martin Margiela. Or for a nod to the trend, go for leather with subtle fur, as in Salvatore Ferragamo and Versace.