Style
Men’s Fashion: Spring Racing Carnival (2011 Edition)
Every year excitement, glamour, and drunk and disorderly behaviour come to Melbourne for the Spring Racing Carnival. Whether you’re attending Caulfield or the other one, it’s all about horses, frocks and gents in suits. This year D’Marge met with four of the top men’s retailers- Harrolds, Cailbre, P. Johnson and Godwin Charli- to find out what’s hot in menswear for the 2011 Spring Racing Carnival.
Harrolds
Melbourne’s premier luxury men’s fashion department store.
D’Marge spoke to Theo Poulakis- co-owner of Harrolds- to get his take on suits for the 2011 Spring Racing Carnival.
What’s popular this year?
The new collections went in store on the 10th of September. We have a number of new brands exclusive to Harrolds in Australia including the American designer Thom Browne, who is responsible for the big trend of shorter trousers, which finish at the ankle and are worn with no socks. We also have our own label of beautiful Harrolds’ suits which are made by some of the world’s best master tailors in Italy and offered made to measure in a number of colours and fabrics. The Harrolds’ suits come in two cuts- the French cut (Grey Suit Pictured) which is a modern slim fit, and the British suit (Blue Suit Pictured) which is squarer on the shoulder and slightly boxier.
We also have tailoring by Brioni, Tom Ford, Kiton, Paul Smith, Yves Saint Laurent, Pal Zileri, Kiton and Caruso. Trend-wise there has been a resurgence in double-breasted suits this season, and we have an extensive selection of navy tailoring which is always a good investment as a good navy suit is timeless.
Must-have accessory for gents?
A pocket square by Tom Ford will take any suit to the next level. Thom Browne’s ties are pure vintage Americana. Harrolds also have ‘pocket rounds’ by the American designer Alexander Olch with coordinating ties and bow ties available (pictured). Very smart.
What should guys be avoiding?
The list is quite long. Top of it would be white shoes, ill-fitting suits, novelty ties and backing a losing horse.
For more information visit: http://www.harrolds.com.au/
P. Johnson
One of Australia’s newest handmade mens tailors.
The lovely Jen and Tom from Melbourne’s P. Johnson give us their thoughts on mens fashion for the 2011 Spring Racing Carnival.
What’s popular this year?
This season we have noticed that our clients are becoming a little more adventurous- wider lapels, bolder patterns and casual double-breasted jackets are all popular. We are also experimenting more with blended cloths such as wool/silks, cotton/linens and cotton/cashmeres.
Must-have accessory for gents?
Always a pocket square, sometimes a knit tie, and an umbrella when required. All these accessories can be used as tools to balance one’s outfit to achieve a more harmonious look.
What should guys be avoiding?
Avoid imitation. Dress for yourself. Avoid white stretch limousines. Avoid drunk girls with too much fake tan. Avoid the port-a-loos. Avoid pointy shoes. Avoid outdated affectations, such as pocket watches and pipes. It’s 2011, life wasn’t better back then and swing dancing is not cool. I know it’s not cool cause my Dad thinks it is.
For more information visit: http://www.pjohnson.com.au/
Calibre
For the fashion forward Australian man.
Gary Zecevic from Calibre gives us his thoughts on Calibre’s Spring Carnival inspired suiting.
What’s popular this year?
Colour is the key to our spring collection! It’s with colour that we make the strongest statement for the season while our styling remains simple, preppy and as always, iconically Calibre. For suits however, it is all about neutrals. The Camel suit and Taupe suit are two of our fashion suit options for the season – perfect for the spring racing carnival! Lapels are also getting slightly wider on some of our suits, a big trend seen overseas. When wearing the neutral suit you want to ground the look with a black dress shoe. Brown shades are distracting and tricky to keep the look clean and contemporary. We also suggest styling this season’s neutral suits with coloured shirts like lilac, pink, mid blues and denim shades.
Must-have accessory for gents?
Pocket squares are back with vengeance! Seen heavily featured on the catwalks, this trend has landed at Calibre. Throughout the season we will stock a selection of silk and cotton pocket squares, patterned and plain…a style to suit all looks. Also be adventurous with your accessories, try wearing a mismatched tie and pocket square together. Mixing boldly-patterned ties with clashing printed pocket squares will achieve a post-modern preppy look.
What should guys be avoiding?
- Office wear to the races
- Square-toed shoes - go for a more rounded toe shoe this season
- Gangster wear – white ties and black shirts
- Sports-style sunglasses circa 1995 – we would suggest a pair of Carrera sunglasses
- Exposed tattoos
- Avoid 11pm behaviour at 11am
For more information visit: http://www.calibre.com.au/
Godwin Charli
To create and celebrate beautiful clothing
Godwin Hili from Godwin Charli gave us his take on menswear for the 2011 Spring Racing Carnival.
What’s popular this year?
Suits – The full spectrum of blues, from classic navy to more lighter blues and merging grey/blues. Keep light greys interesting with hints of check and pattern. Also, lighter browns or ‘Cinnamon’ as an alternative to greys and blues. Styles should be well tailored, 2 button, peak or notch lapel. Shirts – more solid in colour than in recent years. Micro designs can add texture, but otherwise we want nothing to take away from the tie or suit direction. If the shirt has a bold colour or pattern keep the tie simple and solid in appearance.
Ties – nothing wider than 7cm. Play with cottons, wools and silk/cashmere blends. Classic spots to preppy bold stripes. Checks are still fun in a variety of basic colours or bright combinations for a ‘look at me’ approach.
Must-have accessory for gents?
Pocket squares are still a must-have this season, along with a cheeky pair of bright/patterned socks.
What should guys be avoiding?
Guys should avoid buttoning all buttons on their suit. Top button only on a 2 button style, middle button on a 3 button style. Classic no-no – white shoes and matching white belt.
For more information visit: http://www.godwincharli.com.au/
There you have it. Ideas and inspiration from Australia’s best men’s fashion retailers and designers. What’s your favourite? Let us know below.
More Great Articles From D'Marge
Subscribe today
Follow D'Marge on Tumblr
Subscribe via RSS
Remember, your opinion saves more lives than doctors.