EVERYONE knows a Jeremy Clarkson. I don't mean an over-opinionated bloke who loves cars, but one who's decided on his 'look' and sticks with it no matter what. Clarkson's jeans, tucked-in shirt and leather jacket combo might seem a safe bet, but is i
t flattering? Does it have anything to do with what's on the catwalk? Does he care?
The answer to all of these questions is most likely "no". While women of all sizes are happy to give skinny jeans or kaftan tunics a try, gents tend to take a more cautious approach.
According to Verdict Research, menswear accounts for about a quarter of all spending on clothing in the UK. The market is experiencing its fastest growth rate for a decade. But the report also shows that menswear is losing out to other areas competing for the masculine pound – while clothes shopping increased 12.7% over the last five years, alcohol and tobacco were up 16.8%, recreation and culture 19.7% and communications (including mobiles and the internet) 28.7%. So why doesn't the average man put fashion at the top of his priority list?
In part, it's because of what's on offer. Women can choose between mini, maxi or puffball skirts, but unless you count kilts, men are stuck with trousers. Of course, not all menswear is boring. Let's look at some of the trends for 2008. According to Harvey Nichols, spring and summer will be "awash with colour. Any colour will do, as long as it's vivid."
If the thought of a hot red neoprene mac from Burberry Prorsum or a shiny cobalt polo top from Lanvin leaves the word 'metrosexual' flashing ominously in front of your eyes, you could go to the other extreme and indulge in grandad chic. A recent menswear survey by George at Asda found that cardigans had become the must-have item for fashion-savvy gents, apparently inspired by the likes of Mark Ronson and David Beckham.
Before you rush out and buy one, though, remember that those around you may be unaware of its new hip reputation. So is it better just to stick with what you know? In the case of a well-cut timeless suit or properly fitting jeans and age-appropriate T-shirt, this is fine. Neutral classics offend no one and you can experiment with accessories. A recent report found that tie sales were up to £162 million and growing. It seems that, inspired by the likes of Franz Ferdinand, men are dressing up for a night on the town, even if they are dressing down for work.
On balance, it's better to experiment with your look in a small way than fall into the Clarkson trap. Yes, kipper ties come back every 20 years, but it's a bulletproof man who can wear them year after year. However, the forecasts for 2009 might make you nervous: the word is that medallions, safari jackets and tight trousers will be back. In which case, it's time to announce that 2008 will be the year you concentrate on building up your classic menswear collection instead.
The full article contains 530 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
