News: Paris Menswear Show Fall 2002

The State of Menswear
By: Mari Davis

DALLAS, Jan 30, 2002/ FW/ --- Watching the State of the Union address by the U.S. President George W. Bush, it was very noticeable that everytime he mentions "firefighters, cops or rescue workers," there was always a big round of applause.

Call it the CNN factor if you will, but it is "fashionable" to be a "real man" and its corollary, "wear real clothes."

The Paris Menswear Show continued the thread from Milan where it is acceptable to have more than 2% body fat.

Tom Ford showed a collection that "one doesn’t need to go to the gym to wear; its cut was forgiving to gourmands," for YSL Rive Gauche. With the primary trend setter giving a nod to a wider girth, this is a victory for those of us who has a hard time losing weight. After all, Tom Ford had been quoted several times saying that one should stay trim and fit.

Paul Smith went "back-to-basics" with his use of a somber palette that emphasized a gentlemanly quality with suits, classy shirts in taffeta and nylon, and his blue-blooded pants in gabardine and cavalry twill.

To paraphrase George W. Bush, "September 11 has forever changed our lives," it has certainly changed men's fashion.

From the slim silhouettes of the late 1990s to the "working class look" that we are seeing now on the runway, it is safe to say that priorities have changed.

From the saying "because it looks good and feel good," the mantra has now become, "working class heroes."

Analysts are saying that "everything is a reaction to the recession." I would like to add that seeing rescue workers and ordinary people risk their lives to save another, our perception of what is "in" or "out" has changed.

In this world, there will always be room for the Tom Cruises and Brad Pitts who are perfect the Adonis in the eyes of many. But, today, we also recognize that ordinary people can do extraordinary acts of courage and bravery.

That perception is setting the tone, in our everyday lives including fashion.