Key Menswear Prints & Patterns

 

It’s not breaking news that for the past few seasons prints and patterns have dominated menswear. And whether or not you’re a fan of this new bold direction, there’s no escaping their influence on current SS14 collections.
Offering an easy way for men to differentiate their traditionally stripped-back summer looks from one another while simultaneously adding a touch of personality to an outfit, the right print will have a positive effect on your warm-weather wardrobe.
We here at FashionBeans felt it would be useful to provide you with a brief round-up of the key motifs that are trending this season (with an eye on SS15), so you know exactly what key pieces to add to your wardrobe in the current summer sales.

Checks

A timeless pattern that will always have a place in menswear, checks have been predominantly applied to formal wear for SS14. Adding a new and refreshing dimension to your timeless block-colour suiting, a subtle Prince of Wales or windowpane check will make you stand out for all the right reasons.
It’s a trend that’s particularly apt for those men who work in corporate environments and want to add a bit of variety to their often uninspiring and monotonous tailoring collection.
Bottega Veneta and Louis Vuitton showed just how polished and professional check tailoring can look in their SS14 collections, sending check suits in traditional blues, greys and whites down the runway. Bottega Veneta went on to include checked trousers worn as separates, shifting the focus to the lower half of the body in a move that referenced SS14’s printed legwear trend.
Louis Vuitton took a slightly more adventurous approach by including brighter madras-style check suits in shades of blue, black and white. It was an ambitious move to apply such a natty print from head to toe, but the aesthetic managed to retain a sense of wearability:

Elsewhere, Issey Miyake were out to create a statement, applying large black-bordered checks in shades of blue, red and white to oversized band-collared tunic tops and shorts. The same brash pattern was later used on a two-piece suit and matching baseball cap:

Going against the grain, Kenzo produced a casual collection that included a black and white grid applied to a bright red sweatshirt and loose shorts for a sports luxe feel.
Taking the concept one step further, the brand went on to feature check patterns that incorporated additional motifs within each square – for example, a black check with the grey crest of a wave image. This created quite a complicated, busy look yet demonstrated pattern mixing within a single garment:

SS15 References

A wide variety of checks were again prominent at the recent SS15 fashion weeks, with key collections coming from Brioni, Alfred Dunhill and Emporio Armani.
Brioni applied them to a superb collection of cropped summer bombers and Harringtons; Dunhill went the traditional route with checked tailoring and overcoats; and Armani used them on various forms of outerwear as well as a selection of Cuban-collared short-sleeved shirts:

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Current Pieces

Although checks can be found across all items (see below) this season, key pieces to keep your eye out for include checked outerwear (particularly cropped styles), tailoring and trousers.
All are perfect for making a refined and effortless statement:

Traditionally, circles and dots are applied to accent pieces, with spotty pocket squares and scarves a particular highlight of the Ermenegildo Zegna SS14 showcase:

But in recent seasons this subtle and timeless approach has given way to the rise of the statement dot and all-over micro-prints.
Hermès were a strong advocate of micro-dot patterns for SS14, with the fashion house choosing to apply them to wide-legged trousers, sports jackets and blazers, demonstrating the versatility of the print.
The majority of the looks came in one of SS14’s go-to shades, blue, while warm terracotta tones emphasised a summer vibe:

In addition to their polka dot scarves and cravats, Ermenegildo Zegna’s collection saw medallion-style prints applied to shirts, which were paired with relaxed-fit suiting for a 1970s feel.
A similar retro approach was adopted at Saint Laurent, where polka dots were carried on open-collared shirts in shades of burnt orange, charcoal grey, jet black and vivid red. Saint Laurent went on to feature a black leather jacket with all-over metallic studs that created a similar effect, epitomising Hedi Slimane’s signature rock ‘n’ roll aesthetic:

SS15 References

Statement dots were all the rage within SS15 collections, with Dolce & Gabbana, Kenzo, Alexander McQueen and Giorgio Armani all applying large spots to formal garments such as suiting, blazers and shirting.
This oversized take on the print is a natural development and looks set to become a major trend next year:

Lookbook Inspiration