subject: With Your Neighbours At The Shows [print this page] On the whole, the menswear show circuit is not like the international womenswear circus, spider man costume where novices get trampled underfoot in the huge crowds and showing off your new Manolos is all part of the day's entertainment. Although there are a handful of cartoon-like characters, such as US Vogue's towering editor-at-large Andr Leon Talley ('Titian red' velvet Gucci jacket/Nike trousers/ Wellington boots), the male fashion editors keep things as laid-back as possible. Most go either for understated, adult luxury or laddish street-style. Competing sartorially with your neighbours at the shows is generally a bit of a non-starter because the trends come and go so slowly in men's fashion - we are clearly in for another winter of grey everything, fastened with drawstrings. As Loaded fashion editor Tom Stubbs puts it: 'Menswear is less directional, more low-key, the trends costume zentai are watered down and the models are not as fit.' And when it comes to dressing to impress, frequent wardrobe changes are the last thing on anybody's mind. 'You only need two outfits a day, in case you think you might soil the first.' Zentai suit : Velcro-fastening black Zentai unitard s with thick rubber soles were first choice (David Bradshaw, creative director of Arena), with Zentai unitardSport lace-ups second. Otherwise, don't believe what they say about trainers being over - everyone was wearing Converse sneakers (white Jack Purcells), battered Converse boots, New Balance trainers (leather ones), and completely plain Nikes in white or black. A few brogues (to match the ones in the Paul zentai Smith shows), but no sign yet of any black wool ballet pumps (as seen at Paul & Joe).
