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Styles · An idea under Classic

Contemporary for men

Modern designer pieces with clean lines: one colour, little decoration, no logo.

Contemporary dressing means modern tailored cuts and clean, architectural shapes in plain cloth, with the interest in proportion rather than pattern or logos. Black, blue, white, grey and charcoal lead, in wool, cotton, leather and silk.

In fashion, contemporary also names a market, and MM6 Maison Margiela, launched in the late nineties as Margiela's second line, is aimed at it. Homme Plisse Issey Miyake makes its clothes in pleats of one even width that resist creases, dry quickly and feel light. A.P.C., which Jean Touitou founded in Paris, started with minimal designs and clean lines and later added raw Japanese denim.

WDLT117 in Toronto brings Homme Plisse Issey Miyake pleated trousers and jackets and Pleats Please Issey Miyake cardigans and pullovers. Due West in Toronto brings A.P.C. jeans and overshirts, COOR coats and Mackage double face wool, and Utopia has lightly used Acne Studios cargo pants and Thom Browne sweatpants.

Common questions

What defines contemporary style?
Clean lines, architectural shapes and neutral tones define the look. Pieces rely on cloth and tailoring rather than graphics or logos.
Which fabrics work best for this look?
Wool, cotton poplin and linen give pieces clean edges. Pleated cloth like that of Homme Plisse Issey Miyake resists creases and feels light.
How do you style contemporary pieces together?
Balance volume by pairing relaxed wide trousers with a fitted knit or a boxy jacket. Keep to charcoal, black and navy so the shape stays clean.