bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

SCMP Reporter

EXPECT the unexpected when it comes to men's fashion this season.

  Brighter colours and bolder prints are key elements for summer fun mixed, with more traditional tailored pieces to create a new sense of modernity in Gucci's latest collection.

  The range lends itself perfectly to the work hard, play hard lifestyle of Hong Kong.

  Essentially classic and elegant, there is a new relaxed ease to styles that have been designed to be worn with casual confidence.

  Classic fabrics and tailoring have been softened with cuts that reflect a return to refinement in silhouette.

  Natural shoulder lines can be seen in jackets that are lighter than ever with classic three-button and slimmer two-button models.

  Double-breasted blazers and pinstripe suits lined with the Gucci signature print will turn heads, while the suede blazer is the softest yet, and completely unlined for cool comfort.

  Cuffed trousers are set to steal the show with flat or pleated fronts - both fluid and stylish.

  Inspiration for outerwear is taken from sailing and hunting themes, using shapes re-interpreted in supple suedes and leathers.

  Dare to be different this summer. Mix a brightly coloured shirt and tie with sombre-coloured suits for the office.

  Stripes are big news, too, with pure pink, mango, citrus and violet adding a vibrant freshness to shirts.

  Worn with the more sombre tones of jackets and trousers in charcoal, navy, camel and stone, the shirts add an infusion of crispness and colour.

  They work well with one of the ties taken from the extensive summer collection, giving a dash of humour to the total look.

  For understated summer sophistication, match a striped shirt and lush floral print shorts with a softly constructed blue blazer with patch pockets.

  Footwear for the warmer weather includes Italian fisherman sandals, and men's clogs based on the 1973 original.

  There are new classic styles, too, so fans of the Italian label will find themselves spoilt for choice.

  Belts, knapsacks, sports bags and briefcases made from the finest leather complete the look.

  Shirts vary from $1,010 to $2,110, two-strap sandals are priced at $1,920 and ties cost $780.

  Meanwhile, Hermes takes the spice route in shades of saffron, cinnamon, and paprika - deeper tones for its day-wear collection of clothes to defy the heat of the sun.

  The look is casual, cool and elegant.

  ''Men don't usually go for extremes,'' said general manager Nicole Wang.

  ''They enjoy the crisp cuts and quality fabrics which we are known for, but at the same time look for that something 'extra' which makes a garment unique.

  ''This season, we have selected the new fabrics that reflect the very latest fashion innovations and transformed them into a balanced wardrobe for the man who appreciates classic chic.''   The result is a fabulous collection of unstructured tailoring, spanning a palette of neutrals - eggshell, hemp, chalk and beige.

  Deck chair stripes on blazers, aniseed greens, reds and blues herald the holiday mood.

  Free-falling lines echo the play of shadow and light.

  The recurring spirit of summer, fired by the sun and swept along by a monsoon, underlies the young and, undoubtedly, trendy-yet-smart designs.

  Naturally cool fabrics defy the city heat such as linen on its own, or mixed with cotton, crepe, tweed and silk.

  Other fresh choices are seen in cotton, silk, and madras.

  ''Bombay'' jackets for crispness in summery shades, and five-button shirt jackets are just the thing for full-time relaxation.

  Catch the look in a checked grey-blue, green and red-brick madras linen Bombay jacket, paired with pure white cotton drill trousers.

  For sportsman-like comfort, opt for outfits in coated cotton and peau de peche.

  Leather comes in the form of colour-bright Metislamb skin, deer skin suede and grained lamb skin.

  Feel at ease in beige rustic linen trousers, a sand-coloured deer skin suede over-jacket, white linen Indochine shirt and cable-stitch cardigan - perfect on a cooler evening.

  The head-turning knitwear plays on ribbed braided linen and lisle, forming duets with cotton stripes, and creating a textured effect.



Gucci out to achieve sales of the unexpected