TRADE SHOWS
Athleisure, Fine Fabrics and Authentic Lifestyle Lines at West Coast Trend Show
Attendees at the West Coast Trend Show’s Fall ’16 menswear fashion market found a number of designer lines offering athleisure collections.
“We’re excited about the growing athleisure category,” said Sam Glaser, vice president of purchasing and operations at Stitched in The Cosmopolitan Hotel of Las Vegas. “The gentlemanly lifestyle has expanded to encompass an elevated-casual mindset in which brands are innovating around comfort and performance. Sebastien James outerwear, Mizzen+Main shirting and Good Man brand knit sport coats come to mind.”
Glaser was among the menswear executives attending the Jan. 31–Feb. 1 West Coast Trend Show at the Embassy Suites Hotel LAX/North in Los Angeles.
“Athletic leisure is trending for us, from lightweight casual shoes by Sperry and Johnston & Murphy to soft and cozy knitwear for both tops and bottoms from Agave to Robert Graham,” said Renate Bender, director of retail at the Peppermill Resort, Spa and Casino in Reno, Nev. Bender buys for both her men’s and women’s stores. It’s all about the casual lifestyle–comfortable sweatshirt feel with style and fabrications that transition from daytime to dinner.
“It’s awesome to see this look and these fabrications moving into men’s,” she said. “We’re finding a mix of customers enjoying this shift from their 20s to 70s plus—the fashion-forward to the classic man. Fashion is translating from the contemporary farmhouse, casual lifestyle look in your home to your closet, and it’s a whole new way of life for us.”
The True Grit outdoor casual lifestyle brand presented an array of color across the line of soft, cozy fabrication blends. The company also uses specialized wash treatments and prides itself on its authentic pieces.
“We create authentic pieces with sophisticated details from label packages to trims, buttons and stitching,” said Michael Kofoed, True Grit brand director.
From casual to evening, Massoud Emami of Anderson & Emami in Spokane, Wash., said sport coats, expensive jeans, crazy socks and underwear are key items for him.
“Jack Victor makes the most soft and beautiful cashmere sport coat. Rodd & Gunn, a New Zealand brand, crafts the finest casual overcoat with a three-in-one removable quilted vest all in Italian fabric. Saxx underwear and 34 Heritage jeans are the best,” he said.
Other key brands at the show included Bugatchi socks, Flynt, Jeremiah, Johnston & Murphy, Maceoo, Robert Comstock, Tommy Bahama and Victorinox.
