Men stay cozy in the cold

By Cris Rojo

From quilted jackets by Topman to the overflow of orange by Givenchy, here are the masculine looks and trends every man needs in his wardrobe and where to get them for an affordable price this winter.

Quilted Coats

Whether walking to the store or class down Lucinda Avenue, men seeking to be comfortable and warm this winter will be pleased to hear the quilted style is making a major comeback this season thanks to established European brands such as Craig Green and Dries Van Noten.

Quilted jackets are decoratively stitched and combine two or three layers of fabric allowing for insulated warmth and a signature diamond-patterned look. Quilted jackets by high-end fashion houses like Dries Van Noten will retail for an average of $1,750, but everyday consumers can get their hands on the look for a more affordable price.

Fast fashion retailer, H&M, 530 Commons Drive, Geneva, is currently offering many quilted jackets in their stores and on their website. Their Quilted Bomber Jacket offers a ribbed stand-up collar, sleeves with pockets and a square padded pattern similar to the diamond look.

H&M is offering the coat in khaki green and black to allow men to style the coat as necessary for $59.99.

Loose Leg Trousers

Loose tailoring has been making the rounds through the runways since the 2015 season, but it seems the trend made a genuine staple this season thanks to designer brands like Rockford native, Virgil Abloh’s “Off White.”

Men everywhere can hang on to their fitted jeans and joggers, although loose and roomy trousers are a must-have for taking a break from more fitted pieces.

There isn’t any tapering involved in these pants, and they simply go straight down the legs, creating a flowy box shape. Sweden retailer, Acne Studios, retails wide leg trousers for $250 and more. Fast fashion retailers are allowing everyday male consumers to take part in the trend.

Topman, 830 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, features a pant on their online store called Black Corde Wide Leg Cropped Pants, a wide leg pant in unembellished black. The look features cropped hems, side and back pockets and offers belt loops.

The pant is marked down for $27.50, and students can get an extra 10 percent off on Topman’s online store as part of their student discount.

Orange

Another way for men to stay within the trends this season is simply by adding the color orange to their closet color palette.

After exploding onto Givenchy’s Jan. 20 Parisian Menswear show, the color orange seemed to paint the collections of other fashion houses from the likes of Moschino to J.W. Anderson. The color was featured in knitwear ensembles to even business suits.

The collections proved the color can be worn in more than just Halloween costumes. Fashion labels Givenchy and Preston Heron showcased orange hues in more athletic or athleisure ensembles, such as tracksuits and puffer jackets.

Orange pieces from these brands such as the Heron Windbreaker are priced at $681 on the low side. Despite the high-end prices, fashion lovers join the orange trend at ASOS.com. The internet retailer is currently offering a blast of orange ensembles from joggers to coats for under $100. Students can also receive an extra 10 percent off and free shipping by signing up the official ASOS newsletter on their website.

Men’s Bags

This season can arguably be considered the year of equality and breaking boundaries after highly acclaimed singer Pharrell Williams starred in Chanel’s film campaign for their new Gabrielle bag, proving bags are not just for women.

“I think the rise of men’s bags is going to be on a steady increase,” Anthony Myers, senior fashion merchandising major, said. “Clothing trends among men and women are becoming more unisex.”

The rise of men’s bags has not only been prominently spotted on male celebrities but has also become a staple in menswear shows in recent years. Men’s bags have been seen flying down runways in shows by Louis Vuitton, Balmain and even Giorgio Armani.

There are many different styles of menswear bags, but one style every man needs are hold-all weekend bags. These bags have taken inspiration from military utilitarian bags and can be found in many different materials from canvas to leather to help prevent wear and tear, making it the ultimate utility bag.

Weekend bags from high-end fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton can cost a fortune, but Urban Outfitter, 5 Woodfield Mall E-306, Schaumburg, has men covered. The retailer is selling a bag called the Herschel Supply Co. Novel Weekender Duffle Bag for $59.99.

The black bag features a canvas strap for a cross-body look and two coffee brown leather handles on the top to contrast the canvas body. The mix of minimal materials and neutral colors makes it easy for men to match it with all types of outfits.