As the prospect of increasing freedom from pandemic-related regulations looms on the horizon, we encourage you to shrug off the ritualistic objects of restriction and indulge in pieces that err towards extravagance – for example, a Gucci suit, the trouser flamboyant in a subtle flare, the jacket sumptuous in suede and boasting golden buttons, in a head-turning colour combination of pillar box-red and mauve. Strut in style with a flamingo-pink feathered stole over the shoulder.
We agree that exuberance isn’t for the fainthearted, but freedom calls for the fanciful, and liberation for something a little louche. Paul Smith and Fendi also proposed looks that luxuriate in pink hues, the former rebelling against the linearity of lockdown with a collection that blends the style codes of past British subcultures, such as Northern soul obsessives, Mods and New Romantics, with double-breasted suits, striped knitwear and Hawaiian shirts.
Maximalist menswear: err towards extravagance for A/W 2021
Above, jacket, £489, by Boss. From top, ‘Coccinelles’ clip with rubies, spessartite garnets, spinels and diamonds set in white and rose gold; ‘Jaspée Butterfly’ clip with diamonds, tsavorite, emeralds and sapphires set in white gold; ‘Cherry Blossom’ clip with diamonds set in yellow and white gold, all price on request, all by Van Cleef & Arpels
Meanwhile, a dazzling way to dial up the dandy is to accessorise your outfit with some sparkle. We suggest bringing the whimsical wonder of woodland adventure to your lapel with Van Cleef & Arpels’ brooches, which crawl across the collar as colourful ladybirds and butterflies. These gleaming wonders boast bold tsavorite, emeralds and diamonds, which complement the cornflower blue of this textured Boss blazer, and are set in sleek white gold.
Remember when people said we would never stop wearing sweatpants and would simply slouch around for eternity? Think of these effusive, colourful and luxurious menswear looks as covetable contradictions.
Coat, £1,200; roll-neck, £400; trousers, £395, all by Paul Smith
Coat, £2,350; trousers, £495; bag, £3,200, all by Fendi
INFORMATION
This article appears in the September 2021 issue of Wallpaper* (W*269), now on newsstands and available for free download