With the second season of London Collections Men, sweeping us off our feet in early January, there were a lot of lustful looks from the fashionistas at the AW13 collections. Especially as the snow was imminent, and the wintry clothes looked so appetizing.

Several key trends were prominent, although as usual there were the usual out-takes which probably won’t be featuring on the high street, but maybe in high end
magazines!

My pick of the crop are the return of the check. Bigger and bolder than before, menswear is getting more confident! E Tautz fused grey and orange in a delightful combination of Prince of Wales check in suiting, and even used it in directional-cut coats and knits. YMC favoured a more subdued hue and used reds and greys in a safe “day jumper”. Angelo Galasso was a far more opulent take on the check with suits and jackets oozing luxury using hounds tooth and herringbone patterns alongside mink fur bow ties, and crocodile skin coats! Or if that last sentence terrified you, you can stick with the day-friendly lumberjack style shirting at Lou Dalton

Prints have always been popular with designers, and the male shopper and this is set to flourish in SS13, with AW taking this lead. Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen brought back slick heritage tailoring, and fused monochrome reds with a very memorable stained glass print. Daring and dandy, for fashion seekers only! Katie Eary’s collection was based on death and decay, but far from being a moody teenage bedroom horror book fantasy, it was actually quite upbeat, with inky sports basics taking centre stage in a range of bright hues, with florals rubbing shoulders with printed hems and chunky gold accessories. Agi and Sam, mashed up patterned trousers with mis-matched shirts, Jonathan Saunders introduced tie- dye and Joseph Turvey worked the spotty look, in easy to wear separates in a dalmatian print.

Knits are always popular with the girls, and this season the boys can get their hands on the infamous ‘housewives favourite”. With newbie designers Sibling promising “fuck off knitting” you can only imagine it’s not going to be what your granny gets up to! Oversized with a capital O, and inspired by cartoon characters. Mickey Mouse mittens and giant scarves competed the show. But if clashing colours and taking up two seats on the bus is your thing, then Sibling is bound to be already on your radar. Topman Design is also offering a much safer nod to knitwear. Styled on the catwalk as a head to toe block colour look, this is bound to work better, in the real world as a nod to the knit. The sweaters independently are safe and snuggly, with Christopher Shannon also sending out a novelty Christmas sweater or two!

Another key trend is androgyny. Qasimi Homme led the field with wearable leather, inspired by film noir, the collection focused on updating traditional menswear classics, such as cropped suit jackets, and military coats by incorporating oversize drop shoulders. Detailing was central to the collection with the introduction of contrast leather and detachable pony collars on shirting which is a subtle and extremely wearable way to work a leather look. JW Anderson is the label to look for if you are slightly more experimental . Clinical and some might say, carnal separates worn with knee high boots might be a bit much for the traditional. But if your body is a blank canvas, and you like to let your clothes do the talking, this is definitely a designer to look at.

Bringing fashion back to reality with a bump, and a collective sigh of relief! I am personally pleased to announce that the bomber is back. Cropped, above the waist jackets in a variety of hues, with Astrid Andersen, Christopher Raeburn and James Long marshaling the mini overcoat. Layered over everything from suits to sweat pants, it is set to be the new Aviator, probably combined with some space age shades- or is that just the stylist in me coming out?

By Sara Darling