Bespoke business could suit

More men are starting to suit up in blazers and button-up shirts, putting a structured edge on casual fashion, and there’s an emerging trend of having them specially made.

The look of the moment channels the style of The Kills’ Jamie Hince, Ryan Gosling and Stephen Dorff, who team blazers and shirts with a grunge edge.

Style experts say Australian men are teaming well-fitted or custom shirts with blazers, dark jeans, scarves and combat boots.

Gideon Shoes creative director Rupert Noffs says professionally-fitted jackets and shirts, paired with casual bottoms, have replaced “cheap, ill-fitting suits”.

“The look is every much fitted shirts… and tailored pants. A lot of guys aren’t wearing T-shirts anymore – every fashionable guy that I’ve seen is wearing tailored shirts,” he says.

Celebrity stylist Philip Boon believes double-breasted jackets are a key cut for casual menswear.

“Men are really trying to bespoke their whole kind of look. It’s more about the fit; that’s what the bespoke is about,” Boon says.

If you’re a retailer struggling to stand out amid tough economic conditions, individually tailored garments could be the way to go, particularly as more men are prepared to spend money on their image.