A Day at the Beach

Another week and another descent into the world of fashion. This time it was the turn of 'man' or literally menswear.

Selfridge's Ben Wilson took us through
the key trends of Spring/summer 2011

South Pacific

Spring Summer ‘11 sees designers add a new romance and calmness to the utalitarian look of the past few seasons.The washed-out, post-wartime Americana see's an amalgamation of khaki army duds as playful work wear,with Hawaiian shirts proving a hit on the catwalk. Basically Pearl Harbour without the orgy of death!

Leading the trend are fashion's big-hitters, firstly with Polo Ralph Lauren’s very literal translation of the trend with classic Hawaiian shirts, and Paul Smith offering their own take on hibiscus. While Burberry have included off-duty army leathers and a classic trench in their collection.

Carry On

This trend is not all about the innuendo of Kenneth Williams, a lusting Sid James or even Barbara Windsor's bursting bosom. But a whimsical look at 1930's Britannia - the British Riveira, Brighton beach and mulit-coloured beach huts.

Though the Great British seaside holiday is dying out, the fashion world has well and truly embraced it. Spring/summer 201 1will once again see nautical themes, and the on-trend use of bright bold colour blocking will make an appearance.

Galliano have cropped their shorts and dropped their crotch, Jil Sander has used vibrant colours with nautical tees, and Unconditional have looked to the leisurely suiting of Charlie Chaplin for inspiration.

A whimsical look at 1930's Britannia - the British
Riveira, Brighton beach and mulit-coloured beach huts

70's Holiday

Excuse the excessive holiday theme but we are looking onwards to summer after all, and of course what season would not be complete without a decade revival? Enter the 1970s for a wave of bright and sun-soaked sartorial opulence and cool.

Dries Van Noten are using contemporary sportswear with bleached denim, cotton suiting and a range of loafers. Marc Jacobs have thrown vibrant neutrals into the mix and new to Selfridges Manchester, Sundek, areoffering swimwear in a kaleidoscope of colours – the perfect accoutrement to that Frank Zappa moustache you’ve always wanted.

Enter the 1970s for a wave of bright
and sun-soaked sartorial opulence

Rainbow

It seems there’s a fair few about trying to see off the dark monochromes of the recession, as a new playful and optimistic mood swept over the collections -  lighting them up in a sea of brights, neons and flouros.

Colour blocking and super bright colours are the flavour of the season at Jil Sander, while Prada are showing clean, sharp textures and patterns. McQueen has gone oriental and Moschino looked to the advent of pop art for inspitation.

So despite the grim realities of the unrelenting Mancunian rain, drop the Mack, throw away your umbrella and put some colour back in  your lives with a nice Hawaiian shirt.

As Ian Brown once said "Manchester's got everything but a beach," and he is of course right, but then again the Beach Boys were actually from inland Hawthorne, California, and it never did them any harm - Brian Wilson's acid flashbacks aside.

As Ian Brown once said
"Manchester's got everything but a beach"

Adam Yare
Follow Adam on Twitter @hello0perator

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