Tag: men’s Fashion

Swimwear Season: The best luxury swimwear for men this summer

With the sunny and very-much humid season underway in Hong Kong, there has never been a better time to treat yourself to some new swim wear. Helping you beat the summer heat while ensuring you remain in style are brands such as Gucci, Fendi and more. Whether you’re a man of action in the water, or more of a poolside lounger these boyish and fun trunks will be sure to impress for whatever your summer has in store.

 

Related: 6 Luxurious Beach Accessories to Brighten up your Summer

Pastel-Perfect: Pink looks for men to rock this season

While associated with femininity for the past century (or two), the colour pink was actually at a point in time a shade designated for the boys. Once considered a ‘warlike colour’ due to its association with the red colour family, pink was known for its masculinity and brutishness rather than the softer state its associated with presently. However, pink appears to be making a comeback with the chaps as luxury fashion houses such as Dior seem to have embraced it with open arms in their latest men’s collections.

Gafencu’s editorial team has put together our favourite pink looks for men to strut this summer, whether they want to appear feminine, masculine or just be free of all stereotypes.

 

Matched Winners: Sophisticated sportswear? You’d better believe it

           

There was a time when sporty shorties, sweatshirts and outerwear were all firmly consigned to the ‘not haute couture’ segment of any wardrobe. The times are changing, though, with many of the leading fashion brands all clamouring to turn these once-neglected garments into the heights of fashion statement pieces. Without further adieu, here are some carefully curated looks that give new meaning to the term ‘sophisticated sportswear’.

Sophisticated sportswear 1

Look 1 (Right)
Turtleneck sweatshirt and shorts by Prada; patterned bandana silk shirt, Go-logo leather belt bag and Bounce camouflage-patterned sneakers, all by Valentino Garavani; striped shorts by Loewe; Greg jacket by Moncler Genius Next Chapter; leather bracelets (worn as necklace) by Tod’s

Look 1 (Left)
Patterned blouson, patterned zippered sweatshirt, VLTN leather belt-bag, Bounce sneakers with feathers, all by Valentino Garavani; Nielson feathered T-shirt, jogging pants with zippered detail, both by Stella McCartney; sneakers by Hogan

Sophisticated sportswear 2

Look 2
Bourges vest by Moncler Genius Next Chapter; blazer and pullover, both by Hermès; naplak leather outerwear and trousers, both by Bally; VLTN leather belt-bag by Valentino Garavani

Sophisticated sportswear 3

Look 3
Patterned short-sleeved blouson, pants and patterned cap, all by Hermès; patterned blouson from Berluti’s KVA Capsule Collection; suede tote-bag and sneakers, both by Tod’s; striped sweater by Loewe

Sophisticated sportswear 4

Look 4
Oversized windbreaker and leather shirt, both by Bottega Veneta; Octagon grey jacket and shorts, both by Moncler Genius Next Chapter; Crew backpack in calf leather by Bally Retro; Fit sneakers by Maison Margiela; socks by Prada

Sophisticated sportswear 5

Look 5
Naplak leather outerwear, Crew backpack in calf leather and wool, both by Bally; black suit jacket with pants, both from Berluti’s KVA Capsule Collection; hooded sweatshirt by Moncler Genius Next Chapter; leather sneakers by Bottega Veneta

Sophisticated sportswear 6

Look 6
Lookjournalist navy blue jacket by Canada Goose; blazer in sand-coloured suede, leather bracelets and sunglasses, all by Tod’s; suede button-up shirt, knitted vest, and Type Sling leather bag, all by Bally; fishermen suede hat by Loewe; jogging pants by Moncler Genius Next Chapter

Photos: Jack Law
Fashion Direction & Styling: San Wong
Model: Hoon S @ Quest
Grooming: Esther Kwan

Style Watch: Our favourite men’s trenchcoats and shorts for SS19

The trench coat is an essential piece in any man’s wardrobe, suited for the elegant and modern gent. It’s classic style shows off one’s sophisticated side for any occasion, even in the Spring. Gafencu’s editorial team has put together this seasons most chic trench coats and paired them with shorts, perfect for the man on the go as outside temperatures rise.

Trenchcoats and Shorts

shorts for SS19

Accessories

Spring has Landed: Our favourite men’s SS19 jackets

Spring nights are on their way and if the last few days were any indication, the temperatures are already starting to rise. Now is the time to stash your winterwear  to the deeper recesses of your closet and reinvent your wardrobe for the warmer, albeit rainy days to come. And to help you with just that, all the major fashion brands have already unveiled their Spring / Summer 2109 collections, and there’s something for everyone there. Whether your tastes are more attuned to timeless classic attire or towards the ostentatious end of the haute couture market, it will be nearly impossible not to find a superb spring look that matches your sensibilities. From denim to bomber or even a mix of the two, your perfect spring jacket is just waiting to be found.

For the Hong Kong man, there is no need to be draped in last year’s trends, embrace the men’s SS19 jackets from our selections below.

Silk and Cuffs: Our top picks for men’s New Year’s Eve accessories

We’ve got the need-to-know for New Year’s Eve parties and ladies wear down, but worry not dear gentlemen, we haven’t forgotten about you. In a time where the suit is considered the lingerie for men, it can be almost too easy to dress to impress; throw on a tuxedo and your venture is done– we think not. That is why here at Gafencu we believe in the importance of a little frill in order to thrill, and New Year’s Eve accessories are in plenty with our marvellous selection of Gucci embellished belts and Hermès silk losanges to help you look dapper as you usher in the new year.

Pearls for Boys: How Men are Reclaiming Pearl Jewellery

For decades, pearl jewellery was considered the height of femininity but the bivalve baubles used to be considered pretty butch and it seems that with the expansion of the male jewellery market more men are snapping up these precious Pacific beauties.

Pearls
Left: Qing dynasty, Yongzheng Emperor and right: Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala. Both adorned with regal pearls

We have evidence of pearls being worn by Song dynasty Chinese rulers as early as 2300 BCE. They’ve also long been a favourite of the Indian Maharajas. Julius Caesar, meanwhile, actually passed a law declaring them for aristocrats only. In England, they were often given loose to Tudor knights who would carry them into battle as a good luck talisman, and Charles the First was even famously beheaded while wearing a pearl pendant earring in one ear. So when did the pearl lose its rough, tough reputation and become so much more associated with dainty necklaces to be clutched at by feminine fingers?

Pearls
A young Charles I sporting the pearl earring he would eventually wear at his own beheading

It was when the Japanese perfected the art of growing and harvesting perfectly round pearls in a way that was much more efficient and cost-effective than ever before, that pearl jewellery took off with the masses. Jewellers adapted the gems to suit the ever changing fashions of the twentieth century, from the long pearly strings of the twenties to Dali’s signature mouth brooch with pearl teeth. But it was with the rise of film starlets wearing pearls that turned them into a gemstone more associated with women. As men bulked up into beefcakes for the screen they began to turn their backs on delicate soft-hued pearls.

Pearls
Starlets like Grace Kelly (Left) did a lot to feminise pearls. Dali got rather more creative with the gems with his famous “mouth brooch” on the right

But the times, they are a’changin, and once again men seem to be returning to pearl jewellery. Ever since Pierce Brosnan appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair wearing a single Tahitian pearl on a leather thong, the pearl’s potential has opened up from the tribal to the tailor-made. Most recently, American musical acts A1 Bentley and Pharrell Williams have made public appearances – decidedly unshy about their predilection for pearls – wearing multiple statement strings at once and typically opting for iconic white pearls over darker, understated colours.

Pearls
Left A1 Bentley, Right Pharrell Williams both sporting strings of white pearls.

If the idea of A1 Bentley’s flapper strings is a bit much and you’d prefer to ease yourself in to pearl jewellery, then consider smaller, more subtle pieces like cufflinks or tie pins. Or make like Brosnan with a single statement pearl as part of a more masculine design. Give the men’s marine jewellery trend a whirl with these pearly designs, all available at 1stdibs.com .

Pearls
Left: Versatile Spinel South Sea and Tahitian Pearl Gold Extra Long Necklace. Top right: Art Deco Diamond, Platinum and Mother of Pearl Cufflinks, Carrington, circa 1920. Bottom right: Tahitian Black South Sea Pearl White Diamond Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring.

Did you know:

  • A natural pearl takes six months to form
  • Although white pearls are the most popular, they can be found naturally in seven different colours
  • The global yearly diamond yield is ten times greater than that South Sea pearls

Text: Alice Duncan

SS19 menswear collection: Five alternate brands to check out

With the first look of most brands’ SS19 menswear collection already revealed, we take a look at some of the alternate brands that can take pride of place in any gentleman’s wardrobe.

Juun.J

SS19 menswear collection

Juun.J’s SS19 menswear collection is aptly titled ‘Alternative’. Inspired by 1990s-themed sportswear, the collection boasts both ‘alternative tailoring’ and ‘alternative tech’. Colourful checks, hoodies and sporty silhouettes characterise this chic street-style fashion.  

Maison Margiela

SS19 menswear collection

Taking his inspiration from the current street-wear climate, designer John Galliano reinvents bespoke traditional suit-making through a technique known as bias-cut. Executed on silks and tweeds, bias-cutting creates a liberating silhouette for the modern man.

AMI

SS19 menswear collection

Alexandre Mattiussi’s SS19 menswear collection is all about free-flowing movement. With breathing, aerated silhouettes and fabrics with natural colours, the collection is meant for those who appreciate the laid-back beauty of a slow life. In an interesting twist, women flaunt menswear too, blurring boundaries and evoking a sense of freedom.

White Mountaineering

SS19 menswear collection

White Mountaineering is inspired by the Great Outdoors this season, with a throwback to the outdoor gear sported in the 1990s. The collection shows a connection between the past and the present, with also a nod to the future that examines how clothing might function in the coming years.

N˚21

SS19 menswear collection

N˚21’s SS19 menswear line gives a modern twist to regular wardrobe staples. Laying emphasis on sensuality, colour and warmth, creative director Alessandro Dell’Acqua has envisaged a collection that celebrates the human body’s natural elegance without the trappings of an artificial culture.

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Catwalk Couture: Top men’s fashion looks for the upcoming season

Having already spotlighted the best pre-fall catwalk couture for women (see the full article here), we delve into the top men’s fashion looks for the upcoming season.

Bottega Veneta

Best men's fashion looks by Bottega Veneta

Bottega Veneta’s men’s fashion looks cling to the spirit of summer, eschewing darker hues for cheerful swaths of bright reds, yellows, blues and whites. Casual-formal is the go-to here, with the traditional business suits tempered with playful cuts and matching accessories.

Dolce & Gabbana

Eye-catching men's fashion looks from Dolce & Gabbana

It’s all about fun-filled patterns for Dolce & Gabbana this coming season. Their top men’s fashion looks include bold primary colours – think royal blues and traffic light reds – interspersed liberally with paisleys, animal prints and playful texts.

Fendi

Fendi's latest men's fashion looks boast a kaleidoscope of geometric designs

Geometric designs reign supreme in Fendi’s latest menswear line. Bold tartan, lined and print patterns have been judiciously placed on a more subtle black-beige colour palette, all done up with an oversized flair.

Louis Vuitton

Top men's fashion looks from Louis Vuitton

A cursory glance at Louis Vuitton’s latest collection may show a rather sombre scene. But a closer eye reveals playful dashes of colour and hints of patterned accents. While black is the dominant motif, it has been somewhat softened with hints of pale blues and checkered prints. 

Knotty affair: How bow ties became the most indispensible accessory in a man’s wardrobe

What do Winston Churchill, Frank Sinatra and James Bond have in common? Yeah, you guessed it right – bow ties, of course!

Bow tie
Winston Churchill was seldom seen without his trademark bow tie

Ever wondered how this jaunty piece of clothing came into existence? Apparently, the tradition of wearing a knotted piece of fabric around the neck dates back to the 17th century, when Croatian soldiers wore these unique neckties during the Thirty Years War (1618-1648), as good luck charms for the battle. The French soldiers picked it up soon after, from where the humble piece of clothing travelled to the upper echelons of society becoming the latest haute item of men’s attire in the early 1700s.  

From France through the royal corridors of England’s elite, the bow tie crossed the Atlantic in October 1886 when Pierre Lorillard V – American tycoon and, evidently, fashion influencer – designed a unique style of formalwear and wore it to a ball at the local Tuxedo Club. His ‘black bow tie with black tuxedo’ look became such an instant hit that it quickly replaced the tailcoat and white bow tie as the primary formal attire for men – a trend that continues to this day!

Bow tie
James Bond, from the time of Connery to Craig, sports the dapper bow tie

Fast-forward a few years and we see the bow tie co-opted on silver screen by the likes of iconic heroes like Humphrey Bogart, Sean Connery, etc. However, it is British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, whose penchant for bow ties – apparently inherited from his father – immortalised this neck accessory for years to come!

But bow ties of this day and age are a far cry from the stiff, formal affairs of yesteryears! Of course, it is still the go-to accessory for a gala night, a formal dinner or an awards ceremony! After all, you can’t really go wrong in a tuxedo and bow tie! But to a modern gentleman looking for creativity, the bow tie can morph into something so much more than a formal accessory – it can be quirky, bold, fun, individualistic, all the while lending an air of cool suaveness. Topping our list of such men is Hollywood A-lister Robert Downey Jr who turned heads in a turquoise bow tie at an awards night. Another celebrity, Jared Leto, upped the fun quotient even higher when he wore a red carnation bow tie at the Oscars 2016.

bow tie
Being cool comes naturally to Robert Downey Jr, a bow tie does help once in a while

Women too seem to have discovered just how versatile this small piece of fabric can be, with the likes of Ellen De Generes, Kim Kardashian and Salma Hayek all sporting different trends on numerous occasions.

Passing fad, did you say? We think not! Bow ties seem rather neatly tied with the rite of passage in fashion corridors to fade into oblivion just yet!

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay