A special edition of the MilanStyle blog now, as we introduce OKI-NI, who’ll be providing MilanStyle readers with a series of exclusive articles on their take on high-fashion menswear and style.
Mark Fountain, Features Editor at OKI-NI, tells us how to incorporate those ‘runway’ items we’ve all seen and wondered… ‘Could I wear that?’
The key to making a high fashion piece wearable is not to over-complicate the rest of the outfit. “Less is more” is a tired fashion cliché, but at its heart is a kernel of truth: keep it simple. If you have one high fashion piece you need to let it act as the focal point, if you introduce other distractions you lessen its impact and lose that sharp focus.
For example, a bright pair of Jil Sander trousers, or one of their vividly-coloured quilted jackets from this season, can look amazing when matched with muted pieces. The key is balance. In your excitement to build an outfit it is tempting to get a bit carried away and match one high fashion item with other stand-out pieces, but the result is usually conflicting. Too many tricky pieces together often look too busy, while also giving the unwelcome impression of effort, as if you’re trying a little too hard to get the “look”.
Jil Sander's high colour, high fashion menswear - why not try a piece? After all, bright red trousers and colourful jackets have always been part of a British gentleman's style arsenal. Just don't wear them both at the same time.
Leather jackets offer a good illustration of this point. Intricate leathers from Rick Owens or Gareth Pugh usually look their most premium when worn with plain tees, slim jeans, (note from MilanStyle: we like those by Dior Homme) and classic sneakers. This simplistic approach demonstrates that you know a great piece when you see one and that you have confidence in the quality of your main piece – there is no need to guild the lily.
Finally, creating an outfit of pieces from the same brand should usually be avoided. While some people can pull it off, it can demonstrate a distinct lack of imagination. Part of the joy of owning a high fashion piece is making it work for you and integrating it into your personal wardrobe.
Producing carbon-copies of a look from this season’s runway show is an act of imitation and no one likes a copycat. Not only that, but those kinds of outfits have a limited lifespan, and if you wear them too often you’ll be hearing that pointed phrase – “that’s so last season”.
Special thanks to Mark at OKI-NI.
Shop high-fashion menswear labels at OKI-NI:
Shop Jil Sander at OKI-NI
Shop Rick Owens at OKI-NI
Shop Gareth Pugh at OKI-NI
We would really like to hear your thoughts – how do you tend to wear your high-fashion brands?
