This spring, men will have a gambit of choices from chic and sophisticated high-end pieces to ultra-hip urban street wear.
It would seem that for the first time in quite a long while, designers are actually working to make college boys into well-kept young men.
Steve Harvey, actor, comedian and creative director of The Harvey Collection, had a segment in BET's 2007 Rip the Runway urban fashion show. Harvey is interested in making a man look the best that he can.
"You may not be the best looking man in the room or the best built man in the room, but you can definitely be the best dressed man in the room," Harvey said on the show.
And looking good is really what is most important when shopping. Most young men are not that into fashion, mainly they are into attracting ladies. So it would make perfect sense to find out what the ladies like on guys.
"I like the new plaid golfer-like shorts," said Bianca Darden, junior psychology major. "If you put that with a polo and a fitted cap, you'll be straight. And get you a nice pair of icee-whites."
For some, college is not the most lucrative time in a person's life. So the main thing to remember this spring and summer when buying clothes is that dressing well doesn't always mean spending a lot of money.
"Those Capri pants for guys are going get really big although I don't necessarily like them," said Danita Berry, junior business major. "I feel that men are going to be showing their feet more this spring and summer with the thong sandals and such."
What is really important is finding good designs that would maximize your style, meaning that you can wear them anywhere - interchangeably. If you buy a few key pieces, you will be able to work them seamlessly in to your wardrobe.
"Darker denim is looking so good right now, and for this summer, linens and lighter colors for the tops such as Tees and the polos," said Danielle Freeney, junior fashion marketing major at Prairie View University. "I think that the clothes are going to be classic looking pieces such as preppy. Preppy is what's hot right now."
Three labels that will be doing big things for this spring and summer are Gap, LRG and International Concepts (INC) by Macy's. These three labels implore the necessary elements that will either update or accentuate any young hipster's wardrobe. In addition, remembering cost efficiency, these labels have pieces that can be worn for either work or play.
"I really like the preppy look. I like a cute polo with a pastel color. I would say plaid shorts and put it with some clean white shoes. I would finish it with a paper-boy hat and a sweater vest," said Saida Leekong, sophomore fashion merchandising major. "I respect guys like Kayne West, John Legend and Jamie Foxx for the fashion. They were doing the grown-up look long before it was cool."
The main thing is to be a trendsetter in your looks. Clothes are too expensive to buy everything that is on TV Think about it and you will understand what won't be hot next year. Remember the "parachute pants?"
The women have given their opinion, but there are a few fashionable young men out there, and they have a lot of input.
"Slip-on shoes are great - Chinos and white Fedora are the spring wear," said Joseph Williams, junior journalism major. "Brown is the new black.
"Pastels are the spring color - peaches, light greens, yellow and primary colors - for the summer. Super casual belts like really almost a string. Business inspired casual ware. Suits made into short sets."
So you may be wondering what you should wear or what will be hot this year. In truth, that is really all up to you. But here are a few tips that are certain to get you the looks, the aww's and most importantly the girl:
• Dark jeans• Straight leg jeans• Bright colored tops• Blazers• Business wear done casually• Khakis• Trench coats• The classic Tee
Taking clothes to the tailor - fits are going to be very important this season.
The most important thing to remember when getting ready for this - and any other - season is that good design always facilitates style, meaning no matter what you do, it has to be you, and it has to be real.
