Prints & Patterns For Men

In part one of our guide to the key prints you should be considering adding to your wardrobe for 2014/15, we explored classic checks and polka dots, along with more contemporary animal-inspired and geometric motifs.
Here, in part two of our round-up, we take a look at two perennial spring/summer pattern trends as well as a couple that are sure to polarise opinion.
Yet no matter whether you’re a timeless and refined dresser or like to make more of a statement, it has never been easier to individualise your warm-weather outfits…

Stripes

With the Breton t-shirt an all-time classic piece of menswear, stripes should be considered a wardrobe staple rather than a trend. That said, each spring/summer season brings with it a new modern tweak or variation on this timeless motif.
For instance, Moschino took inspiration from nature and the elements for its SS14 collection, which saw garments covered in lightning bolts graphics, sandy desert scenes and images of the high seas. Interestingly, these patterns were split into horizontal panels, giving the appearance of wide block stripes, and applied to key pieces including a blazer, shirt and sweater.
Kenzo was another fashion house that took a unique approach to the trend, utilising block stripe panels complete with a ‘paint brush effect’. In fact, the paint brush pattern itself is almost reminiscent of sporadic, disjointed stripes:

Those of you who prefer your stripes in a more traditional guise should look no further than E. Tautz, who applied vertical stripes to trousers, long jackets and even shoes.
Andrea Pompilio, meanwhile, utilised classic horizontal stripes on suits, t-shirts and outerwear, modernising the print through adventurous colour choices. A highlight came in the form of a two-piece suit with all-over stripes in orange and black, while other looks featured a mix of wide and micro stripes within the same item of clothing:

SS15 References

As recently highlighted in our London Collections: Men SS15 trend round-up, vertical stripes are set to become extremely prominent in 2015.
Typically coming in bold, thick, contrast forms, the pinstripe was the motif of choice throughout many collections, including respected tailoring houses such as Casely-Hayford, Gieves & Hawkes, E.Tautz, Duchamp and Tiger of Sweden.
Away from London, Gucci were another huge advocate of the vertical stripe, applying thick black and white versions to both tailoring and separates that are designed to get you noticed.
Other key trends include the block stripe, prominent within Dior Homme’s seaside meets city showcase, and traditional horizontal stripes applied to both knitwear and blazers, which were spotted at Emporio Armani, Boglioli, Zegna and Brioni:

Lookbook Inspiration