Fashion Snoops: Runway

A great deal of design theme influence stems from fabrics which range from rich and luxe to rugged and burly. The latter also has a strong direction from the favored pattern of the season - plaid. Plaid plays host to two of the most important themes, Into the Wild, drawing on chunky layers and utility for the outdoors and Fox and Hound, which is a more conservative Scottish countryside approach.

While those themes play up rich colors like olive and burnt orange, a number of other themes go gray, which definitely achieves superiority over black this season. Gotham Walker is a solid look, quite literally visualized with marble patterns that elude a masculine appearance. Industrial Laborers is also for the manly man, which demonstrates apparel with blue-collar utility features and practicality. Finally, Puttin on the Ritz plays up that luxe factor, taking an old-fashioned black tie approach to dressing. Be sure to check out our selection of sub-themes that also make for an interesting Fall 09/10.

Into the Wild	Industrial Laborers	Puttin on the Ritz	Fox and Hound	Gotham Walker

Click here for overview of additional themes.

Wilderness calls! This look is built upon burly layer upon layer and set for any outdoor excursion. Olive and orange bring out traditional browns and neutrals. This season's favored pattern - plaid, is just one layer under cardigan sweaters and topped off with oversize outerwear. Outerwear provides a place for practical utility details including pockets, cords and zippers. And let's not forget about all the fur trim that pushes this look even closer to nature.

Workgear has a HUGE influence on menswear this season. The designers that spearheaded this look were Bottega Veneta and DSquared. Not surprisingly, they both had distinctly different visions. Both embraced the one piece jumpsuit, Bottega in heavy twill (and quite convincing), while DSquared played up the denim component. Utility details are perhaps the most lasting mark of this look with cargo pockets galore. Leather works in quite well for jackets too.

So much for casual Friday's - formality is back! Black tie ensembles dominate, referencing the days of Charlie Chaplin and friends. Dior and Lanvin executed this look best with suit options including vests, short pants (yes!) and essential outerwear styles. Morning coats even came back into the scene as well as smoking jackets. Woven shirts with yoke details and poet sleeves add drama and even short pants appear here too.

So many designers took their inspiration from Scotland this season, and as you could imagine there is plenty of plaid to go around! The look is proper, that of wealthy equestrian lads in head-to-toe plaid ensembles including important vests, blazers and slim pants. Important color stories center around red and gray.

We call this theme Gotham Walker because it is literally a rock-solid look! Jil Sander nailed this look with fantastic marble prints in a grayscale palette. A number of other designers took up this look with dye effects, strong and stiff textures and an overall serious and masculine appearance.

Click here for overview of additional themes.

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