Fashion trends for men in 2012

Sujata Assomull Sippy
Editor, Harper's Bazaar, India

White or Bright
Fashion loves contrasts. And while white has never been hotter, bright colours makes a bold comeback. Go white from head to toe, even when going formal, and yes white shoes are allowed. Jackets and shirts in band collar styles spell smart casual and are great for weekend wear. Just remember to keep the proportion of white balanced; Canali, D&G and Ermenegildo Zegna are the designers to look to for the right statement. Another great option for the weekend are the brights, and Ashish Soni's collection epitomises the look with a punch of citrus hues. But remember to mix and match your brights with some sober neutrals. Opt for classics like an Herms orange silk tie or Paul Smith's stripped coloured socks. These add that zing and zaniness to your look. Fresh and fun.

Double trouble
Smoking jackets are en vogue, while next season you see another classic making a comeback-the doublebreasted jacket. Having made a mark at fashion weeks after a long hiatus, Gucci, Prada, and Roberto Cavalli all went strong on this trend. And every man must have one of these in their wardrobe for daytime dressing. As a rule, double breasted jackets look better on broader men. So if you are slim and still want to imbibe the retro feel that fashion has in 2012, try a three button jacket; it's very Cary Grant. If you want to go for something with an Indian feel, Tarun Tahiliani suggests a sleeveless bundi.

Get Shorty
Since fashion seems to be in a flirtatious mood, we foresee lots of plays on lengths in both men's and women's wear at the fashion weeks in 2012. For men, this means shorter jackets and cropped trousers will take centre stage. But this is a tricky trend. "Not all men can wear cropped trousers, but with longer kurtas and sherwanis, they look terrific and often elongate the leg," suggests Tahiliani. Probably the most fashion forward trend of the year, it has a very cool, young feel, and is an interesting option for weekend dressing for men looking to be on the cutting edge of fashion. So feel free to break the norm and experiment.

Check play
Of course it is not all about solids, and in summer, it's always fun to wear something printed. For working men, plaids are a great option. These are specialised checks, and consist of crossed horizontal and vertical bands in two or more colours in woven cloth. This season, there are large plaids and small plaids-seen at Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Louis Vuitton, and Jean Paul Gaultier. As a Scottish fabric, it has a feel of British eccentricity, yet is an acceptable pattern to wear in the workplace. Plaid shirts always look professional, and plaid suits in muted tones enhance that old-school look. Go with the classics, and you will never go wrong.