Menswear creeps up on Fashion Week's centre stage

Menswear, the perennial poor relation of women's high fashion, is staking a larger claim on the lucrative fashion stage, as retailers tap a growing men's clothing market and runways in New York reflect American men's rising interest in high fashion.

Never in the vanguard of U.S. fashion, menswear is striving to catch up,canada goose parka jackets say fashion experts taking stock of the collections showing at New York's Fashion Week which runs through Thursday.

With the luxury menswear market growing at about 14 percent a year, or nearly double that of luxury womenswear, according to consultancy Bain & Co., the financial stakes are high.

"High fashion menswear used to be a bit of a joke, but it's becoming a genuine influence. It's beginning to duplicate women's wear," said David Wolfe, creative director of retail consultants Doneger Group.

A demographic that was once "style conscious young men and very label conscious," is "now grown up, and bringing that same style sensitivity and label snobbery as adults," Wolfe said.

Tom Julian, author and retail trends expert, noted growth in the expanding $50 billion-plus menswear arena for clothing such as jeans, knits and accessories.

Julian cited major retailers like Saks adding a denim room, and Ralph Lauren's new Rugby concept. With about a dozen stand-alone stores, Rugby specializes in edgier styling and lower prices targeting younger shoppers than Ralph Lauren's traditional clientele.

"There is more interest in tailoring touches for sportswear," he noted. Accordingly, "casual has shifted beyond what was — khakis and button-downs. Unstructured or knit jackets, sweater jackets and the like allow for layering and individualizing."

The collections at New York's Fashion Week, when hundreds of designers show both men's and women's fall lines, bore that out.

And like the women's shows, some of which displayed hallmarks of popular 1920s-era films like "The Artist" and "Midnight in Paris," menswear took a page from the popular "Downton Abbey" British TV series, set on the eve of the 20s, with heavy use of cord, velvet and grosgrain trims and round-collar shirts.

DRESSED-UP CASUAL

Wolfe characterized the looks as "much more well-behaved than 'rebel rocker,'" while Julian noted that "men have embraced colour in unexpected ways — a bright coloured check shirt, the coloured chinos, the coloured shoes."

"Many men today like the idea of taking a tailored item like a blazer or a necktie and making it less formal to play into their look," Julian noted.

Tommy Hilfiger's ambitious show on Friday reflected trends seen throughout the week: quilted sleeves and vests, lots of narrow horizontal stripes, high-collared doubled breasted coats topping striped vertiginous turtlenecks.

While Hilfiger showed a lot of leather, it was softer, nonthreatening and decidedly non-biker. Unstructured jackets suggested English schoolboys, while colours included dark rose, greys, mustard, teal and lots of reds.

John Bartlett, who once hewed closely to militaristic influences, showed plaid vests, checked pants that suggested pyjamas and blanket coats that paid homage to LL Bean's Hudson Bay classic. Even his motorcycle and racing jackets revealed softer, less-structured tailoring. Splashes of yellow and orange livened the looks even more.

Plaids and checks also figured highly at Duckie Brown's show, which made heavy use of textured grey and charcoal fabrics including tweeds. Crocheted sleeveless tops typified many of the relatively un-macho looks.

Richard Chai's show meanwhile was dominated by denim and blue work clothes, featuring car coats and separates in a range of sombre tones of grey, black and charcoal.

"Even affluent men are questioning whether fashion is the best use of their money," noted Candace Corlett, president of retail strategies consultancy WSL Strategic Retail.

"That says there has to be a semblance of utility, function and longevity — it's got to span a few seasons, even a few year and withstand the hot and cold of trends."

There were still more plaids and nubby fabrics to be seen at Robert Geller, who showed looks mostly in grey, charcoal and black. Edwardian-influenced models sported oversized, wrapped neck scarves, while trousers were rolled up above the ankles. A poncho coat was emblematic of some designers' voluminous cuts.

From Rag and Bone came more horizontal stripes for pants, jackets and sweaters, while topcoats featured wide fleece-accented lapels that suggested the shawl collars that could be found on sweaters and outerwear of many collections.

"We're finishing dress-down casual and moving to a dressed-up casual," Wolfe observed. "The changes are subtle, mostly in colour and fabric, with colours moving richer and fabrics more luxurious."

"It's nothing too challenging, which would scare the average guy off. But we now have a generation of men who shop for themselves instead of their mothers or wives doing it for them."

Avoiding the Winter Blues

One of my least favorite things about winter in anywhere with an average temperature below 65 is the layers....The layers you must sweat on and sweat off just to walk outside. Now, I love being outdoors and in the winter it can change a bit all due to the fact that in order to attempt comfort I must put on 6 layers of clothes. The fact that once you get outside and walk half a block you start burning up then take of some layers, get cold, put back the layers get hot... It is a never ending cycle.. BUT I have come to realize threw personal experience layers are a must!

It is super stressful putting on sweater after sweater after jacket, however it is very key to keeping you safe and warm. Now all you have to do is be prepared when going out. If you know you'll be walking 2 miles and getting hot then you should not wear as many layers because that will not be good for your body. But you should wear enough to walk comfortably. If you are just running to the store and walking from house to car to store to car, layers are still required.canada goose jacket discount Don't think you can get away with a t-shirt and shorts. As my mom always says " What if the car dies? You'll be standing on the side of the road freezing."You should always be prepared for the worst.

Owning proper winter gear when living in a winter weather prone area is a must as well. Instead of buying cheap jackets ( I know cost wise it seems like you're saving but health wise you are not) buy one durable long lasting jacket that will keep you safe and warm and away from getting sick. That one long lasting coat will last you years and save you money in the long run by not buying 3 more later.

Winter Coats

Baby, it's cold outside, so you should think about snagging a deal on a great winter coat. Since stores start stocking their spring lines in February, the best time to cash in on sales is in December and January. However, if you've missed out on that window of opportunity, you can still save year-round with an all-in-one coat.

Convertible coats are essentially three pieces of outerwear, which you can layer and adjust according to the weather. Since this item can be used across several seasons, you're saving money by not having to buy multiple jackets.

A convertible jacket can be used as a winter coat, which generally costs around $80. For milder weather, you can wear the lining of the jacket as a lightweight fleece option. Then, when it's really coming down, the shell of a convertible jacket can be worn as a waterproof raincoat.

Purchased separately, these three items can add up to $200, but with the Winter coatsconvertible coat option, you can get all three styles for $31 at stores like Walmart.

The coat shown in our Savings Experiment video is of the sportier variety, but if you're looking for an alternative to the casual look, designer brands often include convertible coats in their collections, as well. With multiple ways to wear the piece, you're still cashing in on savings, even if the price tag is a little higher than a sporty convertible coat.

Keep your eyes peeled on sites like Overstock or eBay to find amazing deals. Depending on the brand and season, you could nab a stylish winter coat that will take you through fall, winter and spring.canada goose jacket discount

Helmet cameras grab the slope action

William Milner, 17, from Lincoln, R.I., bought his $300 waterproof-cased helmet camera two months ago, and with that purchase joined a YouTube generation of consumers who are taking the home movie phenomenon to a new level.

The videos he has posted online blow away anything his family used to shoot on VHS tapes and share. With the lightweight, high-definition helmet cam, he can create a digital-video diary of thrills, chills, and the occasional spill or two as skiers and snowboarders zoom down the mountainside.

"You get a lot more action than you do on most family vacation videos, that's for sure," Milner said as he waited to board a chairlift at Wachusett Mountain, camera attached to his helmet like a hood ornament on a luxury sedan. Other skiers and riders, he added, are more apt to ask about the footage he is getting than about snow conditions or which trails to try.

The helmet cam - which can be affixed to helmets, ski poles, and jackets - has become the must-have gear at ski resorts this winter. Sales tripled from 2010 to 2011, to 1.3 million units, according to Chris Chute, a research manager with the Framingham office of International Data Corp., a global market research firm. The devices, known as hands-free or wearable video cameras, generally retail for $200 to $400, depending on the model and accessories.

Much of that growth, says Chute, is attributable to GoPro, the industry leader, moving into national distribution. Manufactured by a California company called Woodman Labs, GoPro's latest model, the HD HERO2, debuted in 2011. GoPro also boasts its own YouTube channel (more than 63 million views) and Facebook page (1.36 million "likes") and has capitalized on the ease with which action videos get passed around online.

"There's been a lot more viral marketing,canada goose jacket discount" said Chute as the cameras' popularity has rapidly spread from extreme-sports types to recreational skiers and snowboarders of all ages and abilities, and to other video-friendly action sports like mountain biking, surfing, and skydiving.

Although GoPro owns the market's most recognizable brand, it is not alone in catering to these outdoors video enthusiasts. Contour makes a similarly priced (about $300) model that has caught on with people like Jon Oliff, 23, an avid snowboarder who is spending this winter working and riding in Killington, Vt.

Oliff bought his camera two months ago. It features a built-in GPS and iPhone connection that allows him to change camera settings on the fly. Oliff has shot more than 50 hours of action footage, uploaded to his computer and edited into 5-minute clips. Many are posted on his Facebook page, while others get shared with a smaller circle of friends.

Police: Trio Stole $1k In Merch from Modell's

Port Chester police are looking for three men accused of bolting out of a local sports store with more than $1,000 in merchandise.

The suspects walked in at 8:45 p.m. on Friday, according to an employee at Modell's Sporting Goods on 427 Boston Post Rd. They grabbed 15 Adidas jackets valued at $68 apiece and ran past the cashiers, jumping into a maroon, late-model Cadillac Escalade once they got outside, Lt. James Ladeairous said.

Store employees said the men were holding other merchandise as well,This is a 100% canada goose parka,we don't have anything that's 100 percent. but it wasn't immediately clear what the other items were. Police are reviewing surveillance camera footage from the store.

The police report included detailed descriptions. The first suspect was described as a heavyset black male, balding, approximately 6'1" and 300 pounds. He was in his 30s and wearing a dark jacket with a Jordan logo on the front. The second was described as a black male with a thin build, about 5'9" and 180 pounds. Store staff said he appeared to be in his mid-20s, and was wearing a gray Northface jacket. The third suspect was described as a black male in his mid-20s with a thin build, approximately 6'2", wearing a blue hoody, a knit wool hat and blue jeans.

Glossy leather stands out at NY fashion week

Shiny leather stood out at New York fashion week, with both Derek Lam and Donna Karan for DKNY making the most of the material in its most highly polished form.

Thakoon Panichgul also put leather on the catwalk, moving on from the strong ethnic flavor of collections past by sending out dozens of looks for next fall and winter dominated by red, orange and purple.

In what critics hailed as a strong collection, Lam sent his models through a maze of white frames in sleeveless paneled leather tops matched with skirts that were either long and sequined or hemmed at the knee with pockets.

Equally glossy was a futuristic, figure-hugging oxblood dress with a cheongsam silhouette; the same material reappeared in another look as the skinniest of skinny leather jeans.

But it wasn't all hard-edged, as the California-born designer threw in a white cable-knit sleeveless sweater that came across as practical and feminine when combined with a fluid white dress.

Huge buttons defined Lam's double-breasted jackets, and bushy fur collars looked especially appealing on a day when New Yorkers weathered freezing temperatures and a blustering Arctic wind.

More shiny leather turned up at DKNY, Karan's youthful and unabashedly urban diffusion line, for which a yellow New York taxi was pressed into service as the runway backdrop.

Ashley Greene, the "Twilight" star who is the latest face of DKNY, was among the front-row guests who savored a collection inspired, according to the designer's notes, by the Beat generation of the 1950s.

Building on a trend that emerged at the spring-summer shows in September, there was no shortage of peplum skirts, including a high-waisted number in reptilian leather with a wide, waist-pinching belt.

Showing late Sunday at the Plaza hotel, the Thai-born and Nebraska-bred Thakoon, who counts First Lady Michelle Obama among his clients, drew inspiration from the 1950s and 1960s "when women dressed up to go everywhere."

"I wanted to make clothes that make you feel more dressed up in a way that's very easy," he told AFP backstage. "I haven't explored the charm side of fashion in a while, and I wanted to play with that.This is often not canada goose cheap jackets can be cool and even brilliant."

Others who sent out their latest collections Sunday included the grande dame of New York fashion, Diane Von Furstenberg and British pop singer turned designer Victoria Beckham.

"I am very proud about the whole collection. I would wear every single dress," said the erstwhile Posh Spice, whose guests at the New York Public Library included football-star husband David and seven-month-old baby Harper.

"This season, I really have been able to focus on construction, on quality," said the London-based designer, who has been showing in New York since 2008. "Technically, we've done a lot more this season."

Memories of the 1981 motorcycle ride across America that inspired the founding of his Custo Barcelona label clearly remain strong for Custo Dalman, given the renegade biker theme that informed his latest collection.

His show in Lincoln Center kicked off with a much-welcome burst of color, coupling woolly red fringed outfits with big neckerchiefs and lace-up high-heeled boots.

Patrik Ervell, a fast-rising star in menswear, found unlikely inspiration in police wear. The convincing results included a "tactical police sweater" in electric blue alpaca and a SWAT jacket in ballistic black nylon.

Police Investigating Three Weekend Armed Robberies

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service Investigation Unit is currently investigating three robberies that occurred over the weekend and is asking for the public’s assistance.
Grosvenor Avenue Residence Break and Enter/Robbery:

On the 11th of February at approximately 10:09 pm officers received a break and enter complaint form a homeowner on Grosvenor Avenue. Officers attended and learned that two males had broken into the residence at approximately 10:06 pm while the resident was inside. Both males were wearing scarfs covering their faces and one of the males was carrying a handgun. The suspects demanded pills and cash from the resident. The victim advised he did not have any of these items and both males fled with from the home with three bottles of liquor. They were last seen running down Grosvenor Avenue towards Bruce Street. The victim was not physically injured. Officers searched the area with assistance from the OPP Canine Unit but were unsuccessful in located the suspects.
Robbery at Metallos Mini Mart on Northern Avenue:

On the 11th of February at approximately 10:38 pm a lone male robbed Metallos Mini Mart at 147 Northern Avenue. The male had a white coat on, with the hood pulled around covering his face, and was armed with a gun. The suspect demanded all the cash and cartons of cigarettes. The male fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of these items and the clerk was not physically injured. Officers searched the area with negative results.
Robbery at Canadian Tire Gas Bar on Wellington Street West:
On the 12th of February at approximately 6:58 pm a lone male robbed the Canadian Tire Gas Bar at 752 Wellington Street West. The male had his face covered with a black balaclava, was armed with a knife and demanded the cash from the clerk. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of money out of the till and fled on foot in a southbound direction. The clerk was not physically injured. Officers searched the area with negative results.
Description of Male Suspect: Male appeared to be between 18-25 years of age, wearing a green hoodie covering his head with a black balaclava over his face, dark gloves,,canada goose jacket discount are publicly considered as one of the best bodies warmer to keep warm in cold weather days. black jeans, a white parka style jacket with fur around the hood and a half-moon black symbol/ logo on the back.