New York Fashion Week: Tommy Hilfiger F/W 2011
Gabe Alonso In what is probably the most wearable collection other than Steve Alan this week, Tommy Hilfiger has certainly thrown himself into the prep gauntlet. With darker colors and trimmer silhouettes, Hilfiger drastically altered what I would say to be his signature bright colors and stripes.
Over the last few years, Hilfiger has been moving back towards his more preppy ways. His clothes had taken a turn towards urban in the 90′s and he had lost that more affordable Ralph Lauren vibe he had going for him. Well, Tommy is back and with gusto, might I add. There are a bunch of pieces in this collection that are perfect for everyday wear.
Hilfiger took over The Lion, a newly established hot spot for NYC’s media elite. As on-lookers sat in banquets and tables, the models descended from the stairs and walked throughout the dining room. Unlike Nautica, who seemed to regurgitate menswear trends rather than reinvent them, Hilfiger has turned prep slightly on its head with varying fits and patterns. Outerwear is certainly a focal point in this collection with toggle coats (just like Nautica), narrow lapel blazers, double breasted jackets, leather bombers, and 4-pocket vests. The shirt and tie combo was few and far between, instead there was a lot of chunky knit turtleneck sweaters. So, just when you thought it was ok to throw away those turtlenecks you’ve had stowed away since high school…They’re back! But these are monsters compared to the thin turtlenecks that were big in the late 90′s, early ’00s.
My favorite part of the whole collection may have been the introduction of tailored fit sweatpants. Yes, that’s right – sweatpants. Somehow, Hilfiger was able to seamlessly integrate a slim sweatpant, paired with a chunky knit turtleneck sweater and a trench coat. As if that wasn’t enough, he’s also jumping on the cargo pant bandwagon, incorporating a bit of that military wear that has become the trend for this year. Thanks to high-end brands like Brunello Cucinelli, the slim-fit cargo pant has become popular amongst mass retailers such as Banana Republic and Club Monaco. The cargo pant is no longer something you could find only at Old Navy or your local Army-Navy store. By incorporating flap pockets, the cargos allow you the functionality of extra storage while keeping the slim silhouette. It’s a wonderful juxtaposition of form and function.
It is exactly this type of creativity that will bring Hilfiger back into the lexicon of men’s style. I’m excited to see what he has in store for the future. Check out some of my favorite looks, taking special care to notice the outerwear, knit sweaters, and of course, the sweatpants.
Tommy Hilfiger F/W 2011 – [GQ.com]
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