Coming Attractions

From left to right: A look from Prada's FW11 menswear collection; A look from Missoni's FW11 menswear collection. Images courtesy of Style.com

And they’re off! The men's FW11 shows have officially begun in Milan and will soon move on to Paris. With a schedule that's shorter and tighter than that of the women’s collections, the wait for the most anticipated shows is nonexistent; thus, we’ve already seen what powerhouses like Prada, Burberry Prorsum, Jil Sander, Dolce & Gabbana and Missoni will offer next fall. Now, there is no crystal ball for fashion but the menswear shows can give us a sneak-peek at what's in store for the girls. Time and history have proven that trends shown in January are often a prelude to what we’ll see in the women’s shows that take place in February and March. This is especially true with designers like Miuccia Prada or Burberry Prorsum's Christopher Bailey. Remember the double-breasted jackets and slim trousers constructed of sleek matte grey nylon from Prada’s men's SS10? A few weeks later, that same slate color and fabrication appeared in the women's show, except this time, it was duchess satin and appeared on jackets, vests and Bermuda shorts. Or how about that biker shearling from Burberry Prorsum's FW10 collection? It too was first seen strutting down the menswear runway. 

The menswear looks from Burberry Prorsum's FW10 collection translated seamlessly into the women's fall styles. Images courtesy of Style.com

So what could this fall/winter season have in store for women? Maybe we’ll see mega lumberjack plaids from Bailey. Or perhaps we’ll get rich autumnal tones like burnt orange and rust, or evening wear in iridescent greens and silvers with inverted triangles and oversized proportions from Prada. Will there be less color and more solid greys, browns and khakis at Missoni? Deep juicy tones and tailored silhouettes at Bottega Veneta? Menswear trends may not change as frequently as women’s styles but they sure can be great indicators of what's to come. I guess we'll have to wait until February to see. Keep your eyes on the boys and place your bets accurately and you could be the next soothsayer of fashion. 
--Lindsey Botts