Up your fashion ante!

The Autumn/Winter season is officially upon us. From the streets of the A/W ’18 men’s fashion weeks, gents have kicked off the year in bold style. Taking strong cues from the past and blending them with of-the-moment elements, these gents have set the sartorial tone for the upcoming seasons. Attitude-heavy but surprisingly wearable, the major looks we see now will undoubtedly stick around. So, if you’re wondering what pieces you should invest in, we have you covered with some of the best men’s fashion trends for autumn-winter 2018.

Checks, plaids, and tartans
Checks appeared on everything from men’s trousers to jackets and even caps. The more clashing those checks, the better. Check out Versace’s collection for a bright checkered donkey jacket teamed with tartan trousers and plaid shirts. You could also try with one statement checkered piece, such as a coat or blazer, pairing it with a matching piece. If in doubt, team a classic plaid shirt with a check fisherman over-shirt for an off-duty look.

Oversized silhouettes
Loose and larger the better. Oversized silhouettes continue to dominate casual wear. The sharp, oversized tailoring with wider shoulders got all the better taking on an exciting trend. It’s essential to ensure your oversized look is suitably smart. Strike the correct balance while trying out this trend. Opt for high-quality fabrics and sophisticated styles that have merely had their proportions blown up.

Vertical stripes/ Pinstripes
Incorporate refreshing vertical stripes into your wardrobe this season as it can be an eye-catching element even to the most basic outfit. It can be as bold or as subtle, the choice is yours. For a bold look, just choose thick stripes in strong, contrasting colours. Select thinner lines of similar soft or neutral tones, for a more subdued style. Pinstripe suits made notable appearances at designers such as Alexander McQueen, Maison Margiela, and Versace.

Statement cowboy
Rich and warm camel hues, when worn head-to-toe, create quite the statement and look surprisingly stylish. You can also opt for some variance to break the look. If you want to wear only one statement camel piece, make it a tailored coat and pair it with neutral colours and simple designs. A white shirt, blue jeans, and sneakers work well. Cowboy-esque boots were everywhere. Designer Raf Simons showcased shining white boots which are the most desirable. Remember your heels should be Cuban and your toes should be chiselled to a point.

Athleisure
The Athleisure trend has levelled up. Blend with smarter pieces, using sportswear items and details contribute to sophisticated looks. The outerwear trend is spreading its horizons be it either oversized puffer jackets showcased by designer Demna Gvasalia at Balenciaga or the ultra-long down-filled jackets sent out at Boss. If you're going to make one investment this Autumn, make it a pair of high-quality hiking boots. Bally or Moncler would be a good buy. Ayushmann Khurrana’s dapper looks in label Armaan Randhawa is a must-try.

Soft textures
Comfort dressing is one thing that everyone looks forward to. Soft textures, such as sustainable fleece, and even corduroy, tactile fabrics are big. This trend looks best when worn with warm tones of camel as well as neutral white and black hues.

Military men
What comes to mind when you hear military? Khaki, army green, beige, brown, camouflage exactly! Stick to these colour choices. When it comes to designs, look for army-style garments with simple fastenings and large pockets. Complete your look with a shearling-lined aviator jacket. Just like Shantanu and Nikhil’s collection. Try out these autumn winter 2018 trends and let us know by sharing your picture. Tag @deepikasarode and @thehansindia with #AW2018THI.

Deepika Sarode - The writer is the founder of PikaLove, a sustainable fashion label.