Louis Vuitton

By Karen Welcome

Gentlemen next spring is the time to pull out all of your checks and shed your fears of colour. Whether you’re the man who prefers an impeccably tailored suit or the easy-going swagger of a track suit, the runway shows of Spring 2012 ready-to-wear proved to have something for everyone.

Sarah Burton cited English rock as her inspiration for her latest Alexander McQueen menswear collection. Her mod looks were filled with plaid monochromatic looks with slim fitting trousers and blazers that were fit for the hipster of any decade. It was also all in the details at Gucci with houndstooth and Prince of Wales checks on tailored suits reminiscent of Frida Giannini’s inspiration of British gentlemen’s clubs.

Calvin Klein

Maison Martin Margiela

The minimalist looks of Calvin Klein Collection were on edge with sheer shirts and textured blazers made from rubber tiles accompanied with trousers cut for a relaxed fit. “Relaxed” was also prevalent on the runway of Maison Martin Margiela as models walked down the runway looking anything but stuffy donning unbottoned shirts and blazers with trousers rolled up at the hem to reveal the effortlessly cool look of the lining.

The preppy looks at Louis Vuitton were fit for the constant traveller with a fashion aestheic that combines African details with sharp finishes, while Dsquared turned up the fun for Spring 2012 with punches of colour amongst a palette of neutrals and stripes to complete an eccentric nautical look.

With nods to multiple looks and decades you’re sure to hone your own look for spring 2012 with retro finds from your very own closet to the one of a kind treasures you pick up along the way.

Louis Vuitton

All photos from Style.com.

Woven-detail cardigan, $275, and dress pants, $225, Buckler, andrewbuckler.com. Scarf, stylist’s own.

Blazer, $275, pant, $135, Shades of Grey at Jacflash, jacflash.net. Tartan-print shirt, $250, Public School, publicschoolnyc.com. Skinny tie, $90, and oxford shoes, $260, Buckler, andrewbuckler.com. Pocket square, $20, Brooks Brothers, brooksbrothers.com

Tommy Hilfiger Spring 2011

By Karen Welcome

For Etro, designer Kean Etro was surprisingly demure taking the brand’s signature paisley prints in a different direction using darker, richer colours. At Emporio Armani, Giorgio Armani also displayed men in a darker frame of mind with outfits that were either black, white or gray from head-to-toe.

Next spring men have many looks to experiment with. There were skulls on every model at Comme des Garcons-a nod to fifties rock and roll, suits perfect for wandering the desert at Rag & Bone, 1920′s inspired rebels at N.Hoolywood, and Savile Row tailoring at it’s best for Bespoken. For Spring 2011 men’s closets should look alot brighter and much more interesting with a myriad of styles to choose from.

Beloved writer Austin Clarke’s style is the eclectic

Beloved writer Austin Clarke’s style is the eclectic prepster’s dream. With a fearless mix of patterns and textures Clark displays one of this seasons most popular looks. Stock up on cardigans, blazers, and shirts of herringbone, houndstooth, and plaid. Mix and match to your hearts content and top up with a unique pair of glasses. Bowties, ties and pocket squares are great finishing touches that’ll have you ready to show off your scholastic swagger.

LuvLi Fashion Voyage 2010

By Lisa Sterling

Reporting from London, England

Men: Don’t hesitate to take public transit fully dressed in your business suit– it’s attractive. It shows admirers that even the most prim and proper gentleman can get down and dirty sometimes. And we like that.

Stay tuned for Part 3 of Lisa’s Fashion Voyage 2010. It’ll be a peek into my shopping bags… and my leopard-print wallet, as I share some of my own favourite purchases from England and Paris combined!

Tie as fashion fun

Proof that dress shirts and ties aren’t only for suits. Think of them as a way to put a slick, stylish accent on any outfit — even a casual one with sweat pants as a key player. It helps that the shirt is patterned and the tie is un-traditional (read: square tip, not silk). And do we even have to point out that this combo only works because the shirt’s un-tucked? Didn’t think so.

Wool jacket, $1195, Prada, from Holt Renfrew, holtrenfrew.com. Checkered shirt, $79.50, and knit tie, $98, both Brooks Brothers, Royal Bank Plaza, 416-368-0162, brooksbrothers.com. Adjustable sweat pants, $79, Club Monaco, clubmonaco.com. Suede sneakers, $100, Adidas, adidas.com. Stainless steel chronograph watch, $595, ESQ by Movado.