Boys will be boys

THINK FASHION AND visions of glamorous women gliding in Chloe and Chanel probably spring to mind. Men have traditionally taken a back seat when it comes to dressing up. Not any more.

Gone are the days when a man could don a well-made suit and simply look good. Increasingly, menswear catwalks are starting to rival women's.

Along with the usual spring/summer wardrobe staples (suits, long shorts, sporty and military styles) comes a host of accessories - including helmets and lighters - that allow men to create their own unique style off the catwalk.

With so much choice, some men are wary about mixing and matching these newer items with classics such as wallets and bags. Many play it safe by choosing a simple black billfold or a nerdy computer bag in generic colours.

But many brands have made the style transition easier by creating accessories that mix functionality and playfulness. Put simply, they've created products that appeal to the little boy in most men.

The latest trends include sports-related and toy-like prints, plus bright, funky colours. Paul Smith takes you to the toy store, with vibrant colours and graphic patterns. Diesel, best known for its stylish prints, and US designer Kenneth Cole, who makes funky cufflinks, have also adopted this strategy.