Attesting to the fact that the dreariness of winter - with it’s all- engulfing requirement for layered chunky knits in a none too inspiring grey dominated colour scheme-  is nearing the end of it’s reign, the menswear spring/ summer 2010 collections presented at Milan Fashion Week showcased an apparently travel inspired theme; involving a mix of elegant tailoring occasionally interjected with a more casual summer look: canvas bags, chinos and the prevalence of whites and beige with an occasional splash of varying pastel shades as the primary colour palette (combined with a significant proportion of bare chests and torsos among the catwalk models) revealed designers revelling in the prospect of the imminent warmer months.

The use of a neat and elegant silhouette was evident- trousers at shows such as Cavalli and Dolce and Gabbana were tailored and slim fitting, whilst the late Alexander McQueen’s show featured nipped- in blazers, again affirming an apparent preference for a tidy, slim- line structure. Whilst the use of such gentlemanly, sophisticated tailoring combined with slick backed, hugely preppy hairstyles may at first lead one to believe that all the pieces showcased would be rather conservative (and thus, alarmingly un- provocative), the number of models revealing the upper halves of their body either partially or fully soon proved otherwise.

This ploy was used with particular effect at Cavalli: rather conservative outfits comprising of trousers, ties, and either black or pastel toned blazers were soon usurped by the use of mesh vest tops and distressed detailing- with a couple of particular pieces infused by Cavalli’s long standing love- affair with animal print. Adding to this partial rebellion against the prevalence of suit-esque attire was the presence of denim in the form of jeans and jackets in the latter half of the Dolce and Gabbana show- again distressed detailing, in addition to the use of rather rock n’ roll gold studs, added a less refined dimension juxtaposed against previous suave pieces.
 With regards to accessories, bags were displayed in a vast range of sizes, from large canvas hold- alls to smaller handheld items; whilst shoes were generally rounded or boasted raised tops if featuring a more sport inspired style.
 

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Words by Claudia Canavan. Images from Style.com and Dazed Digital.

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