Retro to Hawaiian with a twist: Summer fashion for men

Tailored shorts with a linen jacket, t-shirts with bow-ties, Chinese collar shirts with printed pyjamas... for all those men out there, a fashion lowdown on how to look cool this summer with funky mix and match tips and jazzing it all up with the right accessories:

APPAREl

First rule this season, avoid denim and try skin-friendly fabrics like linen.

To make a style statement, dig out printed shirts and team them up with bright-coloured shorts. Try Chinese collar shirts in powder cotton or tricot with printed pajamas; add khakee or army green shorts with t-shirts in any colour!

If you really want to adapt high street fashion, go for linen 'two-piece' suits and wear with shorts and loafers.

"A lot of new print techniques can be seen this summer. Sailor, African and screen prints can be seen on shirts and t-shirts. Also, fitted lycra t-shirts with deep and big necks will be a big hit," lav Trivedi, stylist-cum-art director, told IANS.

"Accessorise it well. Try bow ties on half-sleeves shirts and polo neck t-shirts. You can also try formal shoes with fitted shorts and shirts. I call it the very modern Hawaii look, it makes you look sharp yet summery," he added.

Trivedi is in tune with the latest styles, thanks to his stint on "MTV Splitsvilla", and fashion shoots for magazines like The Man and Andpersand. He also did art direction for the movie "Yeh Saali Zindagi".

Experts say sportswear like t-shirts, shorts and jumpers will be in vogue in men's fashion this season.

"Most people in India wear sportswear influenced clothing because of details and designs in male clothing. Sportswear is comfortable and easy to carry, therefore never out of fashion," Mumbai-based designer Narendra Kumar Ahmed told IANS.

The designer, who is associated with brands like Puma and Killer, said tailored shorts - knee length with little fit and pleats - would also be prominent.

COlOURS

Comfortable cotton shirts paired with waistcoats in vibrant colours like electric blue, neon green, pink and earthy yellow will add freshness, says designer Raghavendra Rathore.

"Cotton waistcoats in vibrant colours is the predominant trend. An array of pastel yet colourful tones in shirting is what adds to the freshness. The new semi-formal sleek appeal is the one to look forward to," Rathore told IANS.

Kumar said that there will be lot more pastel colours as well. "You will see many colours in the bottom as well, like coloured jeans, shorts and trousers," he added.

FOOTWEAR

To make the summer more stylish and colourful, opt for espadrilles.

Originated in the Basque, Spain, espadrilles are made of canvas cotton and linen fabric with a flexible jute rope sole.

"Male gladiators (sandals), leather sleepers and espadrille shoes will be best to go with this combo," added Trivedi.

HEADGEAR

Despite the heat, men are still reluctant to wear hats or caps. But men can add to their style quotient by adding some head gear in their wardrobes, say fashion experts.

"People think that it's not fashionable or a must have accessory in a hot country like India. There are very few who wear hats, but only for night outs because they associate it to the style element, not to the functional element. They should wear caps and hats," said Narendra.

EYEWEAR

Go retro this season, suggest fashionistas.

"Retro shades are big this season, you'll see lots of retro frames, big glasses, from the era of the 1950s and 1960s," said Narendra.