Men’s fashion has suddenly turned retrospective, which is a notable improvement on being futuristic. One has to appreciate the simplicity and groove in the glamour of the tidy look as opposed to the shag and bag clothing that boys have been sporting for much too long. Autumn/winter 2012 is the time for a blast from the past and here’s an outline of what we hope to see our men in:

The three-piece suit This quarter has been reserved for gentlemen and when it comes to sartorial superiority, the three-piece suit reigns supreme. It’s time to bring classic British fashion back into your life as the three-piece suit, thanks to popular television style icons, is back en vogue. Not only does a three piece suit make a powerful impression, thus leading people to believe you are in a position of powerful affluence, but even without the jacket you can appear rakishly handsome, especially if you have the gym toned fore-arms and biceps to prove it.

Suits look best on well-worked bodies, but they also help camouflage your flaws best. That holds true especially if you’re wearing your suits with a fashionable matching vest paired with patterned shirts and ties. It’ll allow you complete versatility.

“The double breast (DB) jacket has also made a huge impact in contemporary men’s fashion,” endorses designer Omar Farooq of Republic. “The double breasted trend is high impact and Pakistani men love it because of the conventional structure.”

Rolled-cuff trousers “Back in the 40s to late 60s and early 70s men used to wear woollen trousers,” Omar explained when talking to Dawn about rising trends in men’s fashion. “Denim hadn’t been introduced till then and because of cooler climates men didn’t mind wearing wool and similar fibres. That’s when wearing your trouser to the tip of the shoe was sartorially acceptable and considered the gentlemanly way of dressing. Baggy and loose fit trousers were not. Baggy trousers arrived more as racial demarcation in the 80s. The well-tailored trouser is making a comeback. It’s fashionable to wear your well-tailored trousers (even denim jeans) with the cuffs rolled up.”

Classic is cutting it big this winter, whether in the Sopranos style Italian suiting or James Dean reminiscent rolled up jeans pop culture. You can actually get away with anything that looks classic and posh. That said, Omar laments that it is almost impossible to get Pakistani men to experiment. The infiltration of trends is slow and style is almost negligible.“Adaptation is slow here,” he says.

All tied up While a nice watch is the best accessory, winter is all about incubation and a scarf will enhance your natural style evermore. Whether you prefer a simple loop or a slipknot, a scarf can perk up your style, especially if you’re pairing yours with a suit or a coat. Scarves will always be in but there are more than 50 ways to wear a scarf and men should explore the options.

Men’s wear brand, Republic, is making handmade cashmere scarves, customised with initials and icons embossed for exclusive clients but high end, pure wool scarves are also available in places like Be Smart and Men’s Store. It’s a comparatively small investment but be sure it’s the right one.

The Monk-Strap shoe You may be tying your scarves around your neck in various ways but if you are truly trendy, you will not be tying your shoelaces this winter. The best way to put your foot forward is in a no-lace Monk Strap shoe.

As the name suggests, Roman monks were the first people to wear the Monk Strap shoe as far back as in the early 11th century. Their shoes, however, were mostly sandals with straps close to the ankle for secure fastening as well as convenient sliding on and off. With time the shoe evolved into the fancy version we see today.

Whether you wear your Monk Strap in leather or suede, one thing is almost for certain, you should wear it informally. Pair it with your (rolled-cuff) denim jeans, your chinos or your khakis but almost never with your well-tailored bespoke suits.

Outer-wear “I personally love outer-wear because it’s a joy to walk in it,” says Omar Farooq and his remarks hold true especially for winter. He advocates the pea coat as the most wearable suitable outerwear for men in Pakistan.

“Any man can carry a double breast, mid thigh pea coat,” he remarks. “And whether or not you want to layer up (according to the weather) a pea coat can be the first and last statement piece you wear. You can dress it up or down.”

The designer speaks of a winter palette of black and/or military green as trendy this season.

Other than pea coats, a mackintosh structured with a single button and simple design is also highly desirable in Pakistan. And if you’re tall then you are allowed to invest in a nice, woollen and structured overcoat.

When it comes to sweaters, designers are promoting a colourful as opposed to conventional look. The oxford style is classic but men have diversified into brightness this winter. And while V-necks are passé, round, crew and boat necks are in as are turtle necks. —AHI