Michael Kors FW 08

Michael Kors has become one of my favorite "modern" designers, esp. after seeing his FW 2008 ad campaign...it's just brilliant and practically "yells" 60s mod elegance. Shown in this picture a very classic and basic ensemble made up of a khaki trouser, black shoes, a camel blazer, a black turtleneck, and some Wayfarer styled sunglasses. This ad's picture seems like it could have been taken around 1964-1965, yet it's a modern recreation of it all. Just shows how cyclical fashion can be...

Photo: TFS

Carnaby Street

London was perhaps the most influential city for 60s male fashion because it was the Center of the whole world during most of this decade. The continous exchange of its artists and creative geniuses led to the establishment of a new culture, a new phase in man kind history. Paris was still the capital for womenswear, with designers such as Chanel, Balenciaga, Dior (with Marc Bohan), and a young yet very talented YSL (it was during this decade that he reached inmortality with his A shaped Piet Mondrian dress) kept amazing women worldwide. Of course I can't forget to mention Mary Quant, from London, who invented the mini skirt and caused a worldwide revolution.

Men, especially young men, were looking for a new style, tired of the "old" and classic styles that had already been worn and used for decades. London had that new modern and youthful look. This new fad in men fashion was influenced by many elements that came from different time periods and cultures...It was possible to find medieval style shirts, lace shirts that embodied the Romantic look, Hindu inspired suits, Mao neck shirts and jackets, big medallions that had the shape of Military orders to accesorize the look, bellbottoms, and of course the whole Mod look. So as you can see there were many options back then for men, and the place to find all of these items was the legendary Carnaby Street. This was a trend setting point, trends for both women and men fashion of the 60s were defined here, if it was "in" here, it would likely be "in" worldwide.

Carnaby Street may still remain as part of the 60s cultural legacy, but what is true is that nowadays and since almost 40 years ago there hasn't been another Carnaby Street. I think that the modern "equivalent" of this street can be the Internet's fashion sites, forums, and blogs where styles and trends are discussed...but still it's not the same.


Photo: Flickr

Rebel With Elegance

James Dean will always be remembered as a 50s icon and for his role in "Rebel Without a Cause". Shown in this picture wearing eyeglasses at a gala party he proved that wearing eyeglasses isn't a fashion crime. I like his eyeglasses, they're like a cross between Wayfarers and Persol Rattis.

Photo: GQ

Double breasted

The double breasted look is essential for the 60s Mod inspired style. Shown below a photograph that was most likely taken circa 1967-1968 in London's legendary Carnaby Street. In recent years a lot of designers and retailers have made the double breasted look more available than before, making it possible to find double breasted jackets, blazers, and coats (pea coats).

Lappo Elkan was seen wearing a jacket similar to this one earlier this year in Paris' Fashion Week.

Photo: Flickr

Timeless Fall fashion item

A trench coat is a trench coat...a classic staple item in every wardrobe regardless if you're male or female. It's a piece that has proven to survive all of fashion's fads throughout decades and still remains a favorite of many. Burberry is the world's best trench coat producer.

There are many ways to wear a trench coat this fall, it's just up to your creativity and the circumstances. I wear mine with a shirt or turtleneck beneath it, and if I want to give it a modern twist just with a t-shirt beneath (if it isn't that cold out there). For a classic look wear some trousers, and for a casual one jeans are okay.

Choosing the trench's color might be a big dilemma for some, it was for me when I bought mine since I had to choose between black and khaki. My choice was the last one since I think black despite being elegant and matching with everything is kind of a dark and somber color for a trench.

I cannot think of a decade in which trench coats weren't used. For example in the 60s we have Steve Mc Queen (see an entry from some months ago) in "The Thomas Crown Affair" & Peter Sellers as the infamous Inspector Closeau in "The Pink Panther" just to mention a few examples. In the 70s and 80s it was also worn by many, at times adapting it to the times, but the essence was the same.

In recent years the trench coat has made a powerful comeback with designers and retailers making it avaiable in different colors and styles. Below is shot of Burberry's FW '08 advertising campaign taken by the famed Mario Testino.

Photo: TFS

Unpacking

I guess Alain Delon is so far this blog's most featured celebrity due to his great sense of style during the 60s. In this photo a snap from a scene of "A Plein Soleil", where I believe he is in his hotel room in Rome unpacking his stuff and thinking on many things. The jacket appears to be a red/black striped jacket (very original), the tie is outstanding and classic. He appears to be wearing some linen trousers appropiate for the caldo Roman summer. And his white shoes just a perfect example of why Italy is the world's best shoe maker.

Photo: Menstyle.com

Pose for David Bailey

Iconic and legendary 60s photographer David Bailey made headlines not only for his famous photoshoots, but also for his love life in which he was linked with the beauties from those years and for his personal fashion style. Shown here wearing what seems to be some "skinny" black trousers, a pair of boots, and a white tank top, instructing his model how to pose for the camera. "Blow Up", the movie involving a photographer, beautiful models portayed by Vanessa Redgrave and Verushka, and an unsolved mystery is said to be based on Bailey. In fashion sometimes less is more...

Photo: GQ