MEGGINS (LEGGINGS FOR MEN)... A YAY OR A NAY?

Jerry Purfz, a South African Fashion Designer, Stylist and Blogger takes an “African Look” at a rather taboo fashion trend for men... Meggings – that’s leggings for men.

Being trendy and fashionable is fun, add that esteem boost as well it equals SEXY. But what if your guy (ladies) rock up at your high-school-reunion party spotting meggings? Yes, “Leggings” for men. Would you still introduce him as your one and only? Quite a daunting thought isn’t it? Well I have heard the worst, my girlfriend didn’t hide her feelings about this either, she vowed to immediately disown me.

While I think of this as cutting edge fashion, I am equally not compromising my stance about this trend of course, I would not be caught wearing meggings. Not even if I was promised a night out with Paris Hilton.

So how and when do you wear them? Well visibly nowhere in South Africa but only in the army, except that they prefer to call them “long johns”.

HOW: Meggings can be worn with form-fitted short trousers, or shorts that come from above the knee to the mid-thigh. No ‘short shorts’ are allowed. You cannot wear capris, culottes, or long pants with leggings. Keep the colours simple, Wear basic colors – nothing bright or gauche, and keep patterns simple and clean – this means no flowers, hearts, or horizontal stripes.

WHEN: Men wear them year-round as a fun way to practice layering, mix up everyday proportions, and stay warm. Apparently meggings have been pouring into the streets of New York, Paris, London, and Tokyo since 2007. All kinds of meggings have been popular on the men's runways for seasons. Because whatever women fall in love with, men will inevitably fall in love with some years later, like SKINNY JEANS or SHORT SHORTS, to name a few.

Interestingly enough, there are rather mixed feelings amongst men about the trend. "I’m a 23 year old metrosexual male. I personally think leggings are a wonderful concept at that! I think females need to stop whining and feeling awkward about men who want to wear leggings! Gender is nothing more than a physical construct, says Adam Kassur. Ricky Green, a homosexual contest, “as a gay man, I’d NEVER date a man wearing Meggings! It’s totally gross!”

My word is, if you are a straight guy, feeling bold enough to rock those leopard printed meggings, why not?

Jerry Purfz.

COLOR BLOCKING FOR EVE... AND STEVE.

COLOR BLOCKING FOR EVE... AND STEVE.

Summer is in full swing and bright colours are popping out everywhere. One hot trend that is making a mark in fashion is “Colour Block” trend. It has been a trend in the 80s and early 90s, well it is back in style, with a bang and can be seen everywhere, in clothes, shoes, bags and accessories.

Colour blocking is the easiest and most affordable way to jazz up your even existing wardrobe. It transforms simple clothes into unique and fresh new look for summer. This trend is a fun way to play with colour and create a fashionable look all on your own, yet it is just as easy to make blunders. The wonder about colour blocking is that it allows you to feature your assets especially for women, as well as downplaying your flaws.

Colour blocking is all in the placement of the panels. Whether you use many graphic blocks or a few downplayed stripes, there is an option that works for everyone. Using stripes to your advantage allows you to draw the right kind of attention where you want it. Horizontal stripes will widen areas such as small shoulders and lend curves to boyish frames. Vertical stripes will lengthen the body and give it a leaner appearance, especially if the panels on the outside are dark. Diagonal lines and shapes are the most universally flattering and easiest to wear of all clothing items. Use dark or neutral panels around the waistline or stomach to camouflage unwanted curves. The same applies for minimizing a large chest and other problem areas.

Colour blocking is a great way to create vertical lines in an outfit. Vertical blocking will make you look slimmer and taller, but horizontal lines come into play as well. Sometimes, they can be negative, making you look shorter and broader, but in other cases, they can be a plus. An example would be using a belt or colour to define the waist!

Seen below is Rihanna, amongst other models in trendy "colour block":

Men should not be left out in this latest craze well. It actually gets even easier for men, this because men spot fewer items than their female counterparts. Calvin Klein and the recent  Louis Vuitton men’s collection by Kim Jones... compliments this trend rather well. Sometimes accessories also play a role in this trend, women can be spotted with bright nail polish, waist belts, head ban, earrings bangles, etc. While men can easily spot a very bright summer scarf, shoes or even a manly bag. For a right colour block effect, choose right colour combination. The rule of thumb for colour blocking trend is “the brighter, the better.” Try to select bright and vibrant colours for maximum style.  

Jerry Purfz for  JERRY PURFZ

Those who are afraid of bold colours can wear colour blocked pieces by using basic colour combinations to attract attention and make a bold statement. It will definitely give your wardrobe an instant update.

[Jerry Purfz]

STREET RUNWAY… STYLING TIPS, By Jerry Purfz

Jerry Purfz balances a nostalgic historical sense with radical sense of modernism, his             

designs arise from a sophisticated approach and a break away from the “norm”.

Impelled by a vision of a metrosexual, a man who enjoys shopping, fashion and personal

grooming yet infusing masculinity and authenticity. With the scotching temperatures fast

approaching, figuring out how to choose what to wear is a forever-illusive idea. Well I

have taken some time out to post a few styling tips on how to blend your colours as well

as accessories to hog all that attention… Its all we live for, afterall.

MEN’S SUMMER SCARF…

Men’s Scarfs are high status fashion symbol throughout the world mainly in cool

temperature nations like Southern Africa as well as some parts of Europe. Lightweight

scarves are one of the seasons best kept secrets. Gone are the days when summer

scarves could only be glimpsed peaking up from a men’s buttoned-up sweater or

overcoat, nowadays, men are wrapping, knotting, looping and twisting a summer scarf,

adding infinite charm and sex appeal to their clothes and persona, adding color and

texture to a summer outfit. Here are some of the examples…

 

“OVER-THE-KNEE” MEN’S SHORTS

While a few of my fashionista friends claim that they look blazing on guys with hairy

Legs, I decided to take the opposite route up. If you know you body very well, dressing

up for it should not be a toil. One of my regular clients contests that, “It depends on how

far above the knee. If it is like 2 inches, that is fine but if you are talking mid thigh or

shorter, it just doesn't look right”. Before you lash out at this trend and labelling it “gay”

take a minute to think back of the sportswear kit from the 80’s. Sportsmen used to spot

high-above-the-knee shorts with no prejudice, why start today? It’s not suprising to

have learned how “these” shorts have not really seen the light of day, esp for men, in SA. Even the rest of the world is frowning at the idea: Examples below.

STYLE TIP.

STYLE TIP: Pointed shoes doesn’t have to be a boardroom thing, spot them along

                           with casual item (Skinny pants, jeans with a T-shirt) for that sophisticated

                           look. You can also jazz things up with accessories (Shades, Wrist-band

                           and Thumb rings)

1, Trademark Denim Body-Shirt R699,

 Twisted Skinny Pants  R850, (Both by Jerry Purfz) Shoes R1300 @Europa Art Shoes,

2. Deep Neck T-shirt R389, Military Skinny Pants R799 (Both by Jerry Purfz) Shoes     

R1500 by Polo.

*Accessories. Rings R80 Flee Market, Wrist band R99 @Sports Scene

BondiBlu Sun Shades R160 @ Hang Ten

KIM JONES – LOUIS VUITTON’S NEW STYLE DIRECTOR

Kim Jones is a British menswear designer, He presented his first catwalk collection in September 2003 at London fashion week and made his Paris debut in July 2004, where he showed for 5 consecutive seasons. Other presentations have varied from films with Alasdair McLellen and Toyin, to a book with American art photographer Luke Smalley. Alongside his own collection Jones has designed and worked for a variety of companies, including Uniqlo, Topman, Umbro producing Umbro by Kim Jones, Mulberry, Louis Vuitton, Alexander McQueen, Hugo Boss and Iceberg.

In 2008 Jones was hired as Creative Director of British men’s luxury goods brand Alfred Dunhill. His injection of modernity into the heritage brand was considered an exciting formula at Dunhill. 2011, Jones was named the new style director of Louis Vuitton’s men’s ready-to-wear division, replacing Paul Helbers who held the position for five years. The news came in the form of a tweet from Jones’s official Twitter account. In his new role at Vuitton, Jones will be working closely with Marc Jacobs, who currently serves as the artistic director for the luxury label. For Spring 2012, he showed suits with the pants rolled up, varsity jackets, zigzag knit sweaters, and even a tux paired with shorts. The color palette contained mostly neutrals such as khaki, navy, brown, grey, and cream. But there was also a red and royal blue Masai-inspired grouping of plaid and Damier check items from scarves to short sleeved shirts.

Jones' premiere collection really displayed his penchant for sportswear and especially outerwear. Highlights include an anorak, trench, safari jacket with multiple pockets, and a quilted coat in the signature monogrammed flower pattern.

Jones told Suzy Menkes in the International Herald Tribune that he was inspired by Vuitton's rich history in the travel world—think steamer trunks from the late 1800s—and his own childhood in Africa. "Growing up in Africa, living with little lizards, snakes and elephants or being chased by baboons—it never really goes away," says Jones. "The thread is travel. It’s the DNA of the brand—but it is not just for travel but for leisure as well."

He is currently said to be working with Kanye West on his eagerly anticipated fashion line Pastelle.

One of South Africa’s emerging fashion designer, Jerry Purfz says “I have been following Kim Jones work for sometime now, especially while he was at Dunhill, and I must say he really have out-done himself with the Louis Vuitton Range. Pure elegance”

25 November 2011

[ By Jerry Purfz]