Thai actors, ‘Force’ Jiratchapong Srisang and ‘Book’ Kasidet Plookphol were spotted in classic ensembles at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Photo: Ralph Lauren
Unlike womenswear, which can be experimental, male dressing tends to be a lot more conventional.
This is seen in the way men (at least the average guys) style themselves. Their choice in both clothes and accessories border on classic taste.
“Fashion trends will come and they will go,” says Malaysian stylist Peter Lum, who owns his own fashion label.
“There is always a place and time for trends, but traditional men’s dressing styles will always rule.”
Lum points out that menswear is not as diverse as womenswear. This is perhaps why guys return to tried-and-tested ways of dressing.
He goes on to explain how classic rules and styles have remained true through the decades.
Think of a well-fitted shirt and chinos, or a collared T-shirt and clean-cut jeans. These have proven successful and useful for many gentlemen over the years.
Despite the use of bright colours and prints, menswear can still adhere to traditional tailoring tenets. Photo: Paul Smith
When Taeyong of K-pop group NCT was announced as Loewe's ambassador in June, the visuals released showed him clad in a jacket and dress pants. Photo: Loewe
Read more: How menswear trends combine statement-making flair with play-it-cool style
“Yes, generations has passed and trends have come and gone, but a well-dressed man would always stand out and remain timeless and iconic,” Lum notes.
Perhaps this is why traditional tailoring (that is suits) never did die out, even with the dominance of streetwear on the runways.
Yes, luxury fashion houses like Louis Vuitton and Dior are dressing up their male models with sneakers and suits. Short shorts have also been a trend in the past few years.
There are still labels like Ralph Lauren and Paul Smith that keep to a classic look and feel, though.
Lum says the change in how men dress up could be the result of pop stars influencing fashion trends.
“With the plethora of celebrities attempting to re-invent looks to ensure that they get noticed, they have also somewhat rewritten the rules of classic menswear.”
Tasteful accessorising
In terms of accessoring, men are also playing it safe.
Classic square and rectangle frames are still popular among men. Pictured here is a pair of shades from Burberry. Photo: EssilorLuxotticaWhether it is footwear, bags or eyewear, they are willing to try new things, but will not stray too far from the conventional.
Matteo Battiston, chief design officer of EssilorLuxottica, says men in Malaysia generally opt for darker coloured frames when it comes to sunglasses – such as black, gunmetal and grey that exude a more cool and traditionally masculine vibe.
He adds that eyewear shapes such as classic square and rectangle are still the top choices.
They include sun and optical category, with brands such as Ray-Ban, Oakley and Armani Exchange being the most popular.
Read more: Menswear taking centre stage, as the fashion industry shifts its focus to guys
“However, Malaysian men are also starting to explore trendier shapes to make a fashion statement or to complement their sporty lifestyle,” Battiston reveals.
According to him, best-selling styles include wraps and shields produced by Oakley and aviator shapes carried by Ray-Ban and Armani Exchange.
He also says that frames with interesting temple details for optical glasses are also on the uptrend.
Battiston points to the styling term “work leisure”. He says it is really influencing the look and the perception of eyewear as an everyday item.
