After a few years during which more cutting-edge, outlandish, and provocative fashion styles sat at the heart of popular trends, it may seem as a surprise to hear that a conservative men’s look may amount to an actual trend in the coming year. Mens clothes shops, industry analysts, and other commentators have returned again and again to the idea of a conservative resurgence in 2012. This resurgence would mean tapered suits and a more button-down demeanor. It would bring subdued leather shoes and neatly-pressed slacks. It would, simply put, bring a classical and traditional look back to the men’s fashion forefront.
Why are the experts making such predictions? In other words, from where does this expected trend come?
Here are a few ideas:
The Presidential Campaign
Although the campaign season already seems to be in high gear, 2012 is promises even more campaign news as the election approaches. This means that newspapers, magazines, and television broadcasts will be filled with pictures of men dressed traditionally in dark-colored suits. Consequently, concepts of power and professional will potentially become connected with such attires, as has occurred in the past.
Television
When the AMC show “Mad Men” first hit the air, it inspired a renewed interest in men’s clothing from the 1960s. Now, after a hiatus, the show returns in 2012 for a fifth season, in doing so bringing classical fashion back to the forefront of the television viewer’s conscious. Moreover, “Mad Men” is only the most prominent of numerous period pieces expected to be air this coming year.
Financial Austerity
The ongoing and never-ending financial recession has had a marked impact on people’s fashion choices. Even if they can afford to do otherwise, many men are opting for less ostentatious looks. In today’s economic climate they don’t want to get pigeonholed as wealthy. They also likely don’t want to be labeled a hipster or appear as though their economic situation is at all shaky. For these reasons, a traditional, conservative approach often works best.
Time will tell whether this prediction becomes a reality and a conservative attire becomes popular among fashionable men this year. But, if it does happen, we should at least have a good idea of the root causes.
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