| t> | | | | speak its name in fashionable circles, is back thanks |
| Knitwear is a perennial Christmas-gift favourite when | | | | to the retro styling of many bands, such as Klaxons, |
| buying for men, and with good reason - it's freezing | | | | Arctic Monkeys and The View, and has become a |
| outside; last year's most loved jumpers are looking | | | | staple of geek chic wardrobes across the nation. |
| moth-eaten and threadbare; and you just know your | | | | Jumpers with Y-necklines and button details are a |
| boyfriend, brother or son would hate to spend his | | | | subtle nod to this too. A new look which looks set to |
| own hard-earned pennies on anything as sensible as a | | | | last into spring-summer 08 brings these trends |
| new one. Thankfully, though, this season the shops | | | | together with a casual, 'back to school' feel - inspired |
| are heaving with cool, slim-fit knits meaning that your | | | | by the 80s and 90s and the rebellious bad boys of |
| loved ones don't have to be bundled up in something | | | | teen movies like The Lost Boys. Think preppy, but |
| Captain Haddock gave to Oxfam, or worse, the | | | | off-campus; think the class troublemaker; think how |
| dreaded granny-knit. Bulky, scratchy, shapeless, | | | | your mate's older brother had a provisional driving |
| oversized snowflake sweaters are surely a feature | | | | licence and was the coolest person in the world when |
| of nobody's Christmas list, so steer well clear of | | | | you were about 14, and dress like him - a couple of |
| those. | | | | steps down the smartness ladder from Sunday best. |
| The well-dressed chap about town right now is | | | | Checks and geometric patterns are the other style |
| looking for a dressed-down, layered style which | | | | to watch for this season - layer these with plain, bold |
| draws inspiration from the fashion happenings of | | | | pieces to avoid pattern overkill, and team a |
| 2007 - the hipster/emo look, foppish elegance, and | | | | patterned top half with very plain trousers. Moleskin |
| geek chic, the trend that will not die. Horizontal | | | | and wool mixes are perfect for winter and because |
| stripes, whether thick, thin or multi-coloured, are | | | | they're not as heavy as jeans, you can get away |
| massive, and an understated striped jumper is really | | | | with more pieces, as well as a few accessories |
| versatile, fitting beautifully into both the winter's | | | | without being overdressed. In terms of accessories, |
| hottest looks. Worn with a printed t-shirt, straight | | | | monochrome scarves are still massive and look out |
| distressed jeans and canvas hi-tops it brings a British, | | | | for luxurious silk scarves and cravats coming back in |
| streetwise edge to the ever-popular grunge trend; or | | | | to eveningwear. Pete Doherty pork-pie hats are, |
| smarten it up with a blazer, slim-leg trousers, pointed | | | | thankfully, on the way out; military-inspired caps and |
| shoes and a skinny scarf and it's all about the | | | | 'Castro hats' are in. Viva la revolution! |
| dandyish, new mod style. Just add an artfully messy | | | | So, the buzzwords for Christmas lists to get your |
| hairdo and punk-rock scowl to complete the 'teenage | | | | man a late place in this year's best-dressed lists: |
| rebel' effect. | | | | stripes and checks, trousers not jeans, and men's |
| The humble cardigan, once the knit that dared not | | | | light weight knits [ which go with everything. |