Boot cut jeans fit below the waist and are slightly flared at the ankle, to allow room for a pair of boots.  Often these styles are a little more casual than the classic fit, and they generally look good across all generations.  Boot cut jeans worn with desert boots will fuse style with comfort and practicality. For a smarter boot cut style, check out the range from Diesel.

Skinny or tapered jeans are not just for girls.  Styles for men should sit at the waist and feel tight-fitting, tapering downwards towards the ankle.  This style definitely looks best on the young and lithe, and it is something of a modern trend synonymous with indie rock.  Skinny jeans are a great way to have fun with denim.  Uber-cool tapered jeans from Diesel, Firetrap or even Vivienne Westwood, worn with a blazer and motif T-shirt is probably the ultimate way to wear this style.

Distressed denim has made a comeback, and is one of the coolest ways to wear jeans.  This is another style that looks best on younger people; however there are some subtle styles around by numerous brands including Jack & Jones clothing.

The Current Trends

One of the most recent fashion trends is the colour brown.  Many designers from across the globe are creating collections that rely heavily on different shades of brown.  These are then layered on top of one another to create a unique and interesting look.

Monochrome is another style that seems to be taking the fashion world by storm.  Monochrome is a style that purely relies on black and white.  People can then elaborate on their outfits with the help of accessories like watches and necklaces.

Currently on the rise is men’s outerwear.  Again, many of the big name brands such as 883 Police, Diesel and Calvin Klein are focusing heavily on the use of brown with their overcoats and leather jackets, especially during the autumn/winter seasons.

Mens fashion basics

The men’s entire collection was influenced by the Rolling Stones ‘Rock and Roll Circus’. With the black and white striped Carnaby Street trousers and the frock coats with highly set shoulders, the look of this line pays tribute to the era of the 1960’s. With the added black pointy boots and the checked designs mixed with the striped designs the unique combination sets this line apart from many others in the spring 2012 fashion shows.

The spring 2012 fashion show in London that displayed McQueen designs featured the same amazingly tailored lines of each piece that has always been the hallmark of the McQueen designs. The clothing line includes the remarkable creative and the juxtaposed classic designs that everyone has come to recognise, and it is clear that McQueen’s individual style continues to live on after his untimely death.  Alexander McQueen always brought unique combinations to the catwalks, and the Spring 2012 Fashion Show in Milan included matching black leather with canvas shoes and checks with stripes.

There is a wide range of t-shirts, shirts and hoodies around at the moment that cover the American classic look. One of my favourites is the checked shirt which has come into its own this year, once considered the attire of cowboys, is now fashion mainstream. They look great with faded denim and worn jeans and rigger boots for a casual look. You can also wear unbuttoned with a printed tee underneath for another take on the shirt.

American varsity style hoodies are also popular, like the ones below and are great for keeping warm during the cold months and again good for casual wear, worn with jeans and classic style canvas trainers.

All American style

Pantone released its colour palette for 2010/2011 and the hues are well represented by the designers.  Some designers are using prints as contrast or as a basis for their collection adding in the seasonal colours for accent.

If there is one important trend for this year’s Fall/Winter collections, it is the broad colour scheme enhanced by all types of prints.  Looking to designers for inspiration, we find Burberry and Etro using tons of khaki in their military-inspired clothing such as cargo jeans and jackets.  Stella McCartney and Gucci are playing with nude shades while over at Chanel and Calvin Klein, ivory white is the mainstay of their designs.  Nina Ricci, Chloé and Stella McCartney have turned grey into the new black, while camel is very trendy at both Chloé and Lanvin.

Beside the palette of colour, prints are on the rise with leopard (Ungaro, Dolce & Gabbana), Fair Isle (Marc Jacobs), checks (Dries Van Noten) and ethnic (Gaultier, Anna Sui) making a splash on the runways this year.

For your fashion wardrobe this season, look for earthy tones of yellows and greens, a dark sensual or a tomato red, elegant browns with plum undertones, military greens and browns and the palest of greys.  Beige is contemporary in every shade and use a splash of magenta or greenish turquoise as contrast and you cannot go wrong.

Country style clothing is a big trend for both men and women, think lots of tweed, quilting and lots of wool jumpers as well as cord trousers and straight cut jeans. , which are all great for the colder weather that we can look forward to. Military is also another big trend with lots of detailed trims leather and lovely warm sheepskin. Both the country trend and the military trend work very well together and key pieces can be worn with both.

Perhaps due to the success of her Gap collection, McCartney is launching a children’s line.  This could, of course, also be due to the fact that she is a mother.  The newest fashion line will be for both little boys and girls and is scheduled to hit the world this November.  It will be colourful and cool, nothing less than what she offers the world’s grown-ups.

What Can We Expect?

We can expect these kids’ clothes to be as much fun as her adult line.  Expect to see little floral dresses, classic pea coats, and quilted jackets.  You may even get a glimpse of her signature day-of-the-week knickers for kids.  Furthermore, to make the line accessible to everyone, the clothing is going to be affordable. So not only will they be cute and fun, but within reach of most of us.

Stella’s own kids’ clothing line is a direct descendant of her work with Gap.  The line will range from the littlest of kiddies to the age of 12. We may very well see adults trying to cram their way into their children’s clothing!

The basics all men should have in their wardrobe include:

T-shirts
Shirts
Polo shirts
Vest tops
Jeans
Trousers
Shorts
Light weight jacket
Winter coat
Suit
Shoes
Boots
Trainers
Flip flops
Belts
A hat

For t-shirts, polo shirts, shirts and vests you only need a couple of these in different shades so they can easily be mixed and match, then other more trendy styles can be added if you want, a couple of pairs of straight cut jeans in dark denim are also a necessity as darker denim goes with more. You can also opt to add some funky pairs of designer jeans. Trousers and shorts are also good if you want a change from jeans, good tailored pairs will last you a lot longer and don’t go out of style and every guy need a suit in his wardrobe, a simple black one will suffice, you will never know when you may need one, and a classic cut will mean it will not go out of style.

Perfect fit jeans will fit on the hip as well as the waist.  They also need to be the right leg length.  Those who are shorter in height will need to find a shorter length in the leg.  Those who are petite will find that standard leg lengths will drag on the floor and swamp the look.

Skinny jeans are very popular at the moment with not only women but men also but do not suit everyone.  They are ideal for those who are slim, but they can also emphasize if you are too slim.  Women who are of a heavier build should avoid them too, as well as styles that are too low rise.  High waisted styles are not always fashionable but they are much more comfortable for those who do not have a slim figure. Men have it easier with less styles to choose from, however straight cut jeans generally suit most men, especial worn with plain t-shirts and shirts.

It is important to try on several pairs before you choose one to buy, and not just in the same shop.  Clothes shops offer them in every shape and size and you may be surprised if you try on styles that you would not normally consider. 

Dr Martins or ‘DMs’ were developed by Klaus Martens, in Germany and made in Northampton, in the UK, in 1960, over time they became more of a fashion icon rather than work boot as they were first designed for. In the 1970’s & 80’s they took on an anarchic edge worn by punks, skinheads and New Wavers with biker jackets and jeans.

Today the boots are still popular with as mentioned before the model set as well as younger people. The Northampton Museum and Art Gallery will be holding from 20 March – 16 May and exhibition showing the fascinating story and evolution of the brand Dr Martens at 50: The Making of an Icon.

Event spokeswoman Josephine Hickin said “Over the past 50 years, DMs have been work-wear and school shoes, worn by policemen and punks, skinheads and political activists. They have simultaneously represented both fashion and anti-fashion. There is no other shoe brand that has made such a vast contribution to British culture and their story is fascinating.”