I’m free! These are the words of a very famous song from The Who, and every time I walk out of my house these days, I find myself singing the song because I no longer have to wear a mask. I’m sure many of you can agree that wearing a mask was necessary but challenging to do for the past 18 months. Now that the mandates have been lifted, life is starting to feel like it’s coming back to us with a vengeance.
Right now, the summer season is upon us, and we are seeing people going out on a much more frequent basis. And we’re starting to see a return to the office for many companies. This means that the majority of folks who conducted business from home via Zoom for the past year need to get acclimated to wearing something other than sweatpants and T-shirts.
Summer typically represents a more casual way of dressing, even in a business environment and it also represents an opportunity to start donning some fun items that make you feel alive once again. As you start pulling together your warm-weather wardrobe, keep an eye to a celebratory feel and let your clothing demonstrate where we are now versus where we were a year ago. Color is on trend, and we are seeing amazing colors and the return of fun patterns from all over the world.
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EASY ADJUSTMENT: The drawstring trouser is one of the biggest fashion trends as the world makes its way out of the pandemic. These are Caracciolo pants in cotton and silk from Marco Pescarolo. / COURTESY MARC ALLEN FINE CLOTHIERS[/caption]
On trend this season are jackets in a range of vibrant colors from burnt orange to cobalt blue, fuchsia and various shades of red, purple and even green. Printed shirts have made a huge reintroduction back into clothing, with florals dominating the modern look. However, the cool thing about these shirts is that they are often easily paired with a sleek sport coat and white pants. Trouser fabrications are hot with very interesting combinations of wool, silk and linen blends, but in colors such as electric blue, pale tan and some funky rust colors to help bring that fun into the evening. In pants (cotton only), we are seeing the ever-increasing presence of the five-pocket style, which most would say are pants that look like jeans because the pockets are designed to mimic them. But the colors are popping. Deep reds, vibrant greens, funky pinks and, yes, even denim that is made out of flower pulp in beautiful hues of blue.
One of the biggest trends we’ve seen throughout the world is the drawstring trouser. It’s even appropriate for the office. Companies such as Marco Pescarolo and PT01 have designed a trouser (wool or blend) so that it really looks like a traditional dress trouser, but with an elastic waist band. The great thing about these trousers is that you get all the comfort of sweatpants, but throw on a belt and it covers the waistband and drawstring. No one knows but you.
As for the time-tested suit, no, it’s not dead.
But it has been reborn into a much more casual, yet sophisticated look. We are seeing the shoulders softened to make them more comfortable, and fabrications of silk, linen and wool provide a soft, drapey look with less formality. No, there will be no substitute for the classic blue suit for a corporate raider, but this look allows him to wear it to the summer wedding and the office without a hitch.
So, go into your closet, or go to your favorite men’s store, and get yourself a wardrobe or a few new pieces to have fun in this summer. Enjoy this time with your family and friends and go support your local restaurant or retail store. Trust me, they will appreciate it.
Marc A. Streisand is the owner of Marc Allen Fine Clothiers in Providence.