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BOYS In reaction to the abundance of bullshit available these days, dudes are finally starting to take what they’re wearing a bit more seriously. Thankfully, they’re turning to previous decades for inspiration—with dark, well-tailored suits and stovepipe pants. Inexplicably, double-breasted jackets are in, as are tartan tops. Ready the bloodhounds for the truffle hunt! Jean shorts are back in a big way, but this time around they’re usually paired with a nice shirt and, for the brave and gay of heart, colored socks. |
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For shoes it’s shiny brogues and plimsolls, and for accessories there’s no beating tattoo sleeves, chest pieces, and anything homemade. Braces are still keeping all sorts of pants up, and a respectable schoolboy haircut remains the epitome of good taste—though wild hair in the style of Birthday Party–era Nick Cave is acceptable if you’ve got a modicum of panache.
GIRLS We’ve recently emerged from the country’s hottest stretch in 100 years, so it’s nice to see Australian ladies finally realize that wearing flip-flops is the equivalent of framing and mounting toe jam. The downside is they’re just discovering those horrendous half-shoe/half-sandal wedge things that New York girls were killing us with two summers ago. Guess they’ll be discovering gladiator sandals any second now. In pants news, cutoff denim shorts are everywhere. Jeans are no longer tightslike but are still nowhere near JNCO-size proportions. Attention to detail has become important, and things like buttons, plaid, lace, animal prints, and leather accessories can make or break you. Straw hats in classic styles are popular, and we’re glad to report Wayfarer rip-offs have reached the tipping point. Sunglasses alternatives are small 90s-style thingies, aviators, or big round numbers like Karen Walker just released. |
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BOYS There are some interesting changes afoot in New Zealand’s male fashion arena. We are starting to see a shift to a tailored and refined—if somewhat slightly insane—aesthetic. Multiple interpretations of the geek are a surprising influence across the board. We have no doubt that the majority of people with dicks in New Zealand will continue to wear oversize t-shirts on top of oversize jeans on top of big skate sneakers, and while we salute their dedication to this look, it’s clearly not as interesting or inspiring as this gent in his little mustard and pink number.
GIRLS Kiwi girls love their vintage finds, and it’s starting to make them look like Muppets. They’re mixing and matching designer pieces with secondhand-store gems in weird yet endearing ways. Dirty and roughed up finally reigns over pretty and done. Docs and big boots are still about, but candy-colored shoes are starting to spring up, as are torn-up Chucks in all sorts of shades. DIY haircuts, undercuts, and shaved chunks are being embraced by the bravest. Wayfarers are a no-no, and instead geeky specs are big, with thrifty finds winning over fancier versions. Crazy leggings have never gone away and neither has this country’s sense of humor—when you’ve had that many sheep jokes thrown at you, it’s almost impossible to ever take life seriously again. |
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TO BE CONTINUED
GLOBAL TREND REPORT 2009
New York & Los Angeles | Montreal & Mexico City | London & Berlin | Melbourne & New Zealand |
Milan & Barcelona | Paris & Amsterdam | Antwerp & Tokyo | Copenhagen & Helsinki | Vienna & Stockholm |
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