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Have a globetrotting fashion sense

By Jasmin James

Published Oct. 22, 2010

One thing to admire about fashion is its ability to travel from one place to another. It takes a new form at every destination while still maintaining the original pattern. America has become a fashion hub where trends recycle themselves and then go flying into every direction imaginable. We are the melting pot with a little bit of everything nestled inside. And with men’s fashion becoming increasing popular in the United States, it’s only right that we uncover the origin of the fashion globalization spreading across the world.

Last month, during Women’s Fashion Week, Tommy Ton, one of GQ’s most noted fashion photographers, was sent out to the streets of Milan to find some hot street fashion. Although he didn’t have to look hard in Milan, he still gave us evocative pictures of the everyday, Milano men paying impeccable attention to detail. They looked polished and sleek with a very gentle approach to masculinity. Their hair is taut, their faces are clean-shaven, and it is clear that they take their wardrobe seriously. Jackets of all shapes, designs, patterns and textures were a big trend. Although the jacket fad is beginning to catch on here in the U.S., it’s apparent you do not wear a shirt of any kind without a fitted jacket to accompany it. There’s a sense of control in the Italian man’s style: sharp, well tailored and aristocratic.

Nearly 7,000 miles away, Tokyo evolved into an entirely different male trendsetter. Men’s Style Power, a fashion blog run through Google, is a personal favorite to find fashion trends hard at work. It inspires great ideas and encourages taking big risks. Recently, it did a piece titled “Men’s Street Style October '10: Tokyo Drifting,” in which they sent photographers out to find some of the best street styles in Tokyo. The results were amazing. Every picture was different, yet you could certainly spot congruity amongst the men of Tokyo -- both young and old, especially in their bold, non-traditional take on gender-suited attire. In Tokyo, men are not afraid to show their legs and shoulders or draw attention to their torso and upper waist. Suits and shirts become androgynous and colors and eclectic patterns are a free-for-all. Unlike Italy, there is no cookie-cutter appearance for a man to follow. Some men wear designer bracelets. Others wear fanny packs like cross body sacks. Tokyo takes the male psyche and turns it on its head for the better.

Here in America, we pick apart these fashions and find middle ground. There is a bit of complacency to bend gender lines. But other Tokyo trends, such as tight denim and bright colors, have definitely been adapted alongside funky hats and fashion sneakers. And of course, we would be nowhere without the Italians' beautifully designed suits and shoes. Although men might not be daring enough to try leopard-patterned shoes, more and more men are going from grungy to prep.

Tokyo and Milan might have an entirely different set of eyes through which they view fashion. It is obvious fashion takes on a much larger role there. To them, fashion is a part of life: nothing more, nothing less. America might be the melting pot, but these guys are definitely the originators.