Neo-Dandy as This Summer's Look

Now that the sun is shining more often, we at GENTS are already excited for summer. In addition to enjoying lovely terraces, this new season is also marked by new trends. Today we discuss the trends that will be big in the summer of 2019. There is, among other things, a clear distinction between trends for workwear and casual wear. The look for this summer for men? Street style menswear and neo-dandy to be specific. What is neo-dandy? GENTS explains!

Although summer hasn't officially started yet, trend developments for this season are already in full swing. GENTS is of course on top of every new trend that emerges. Would you like to keep up with menswear trends this summer but aren't quite sure how? GENTS is here to help! Today we first briefly discuss the general trends coming this summer. Then we zoom in on a remarkable style that's drawing all the attention: the neo-dandy look.

General menswear summer trends 2019

It's now clear that this summer there will be a division between formal clothing that you wear at work, for example, and casual clothing for leisure time. Additionally, it's striking that the '90s and '80s are making a comeback among various groups. GENTS has noticed that younger people prefer the style from the '90s while the taste of slightly older men aligns more with the '80s. That said, combinations of these styles are also very welcome in the summer of 2019. What's remarkable is that street style menswear is really stealing the spotlight. Dandyism has made a comeback in a new form: the neo-dandy look!

Street style menswear and neo-dandy

Neo-dandy is a look that originated on the street. This style therefore also belongs to street style menswear. You might not expect the combination of menswear and street style, but thanks in part to series like Peaky Blinders, there's renewed interest in this branch of men's fashion. During the Men's Fashion Weeks, it was already noted that the dandyism fashion style is increasingly visible on the street. Because the 'dandy' style is actually quite old (it's existed for centuries!), the style of the new dandies is therefore called 'neo-dandy'.

Why dandyism?

You might now wonder why such a centuries-old style is suddenly appearing on the street again. To answer this, you need to be familiar with the idea behind dandyism. GENTS has all the knowledge and is happy to explain what dandyism is and why it's being given new life this summer. The first thing you should know is that dandyism is often associated with vanity and peacocking. With the dandy style, it's about you. You use your clothes as a form of self-expression. That's why quality, fit and especially tailoring are important.

But that's not all. By dressing in the dandy style, you're also making a statement. Dandyism once emerged as a cultural movement. By wearing refined and bold outfits, the contrast with the prevailing uniformity and mediocrity of the time became painfully obvious. You could say that the dandy look emerged as an ironic protest against the society of that time. This underlying thought of dandyism forms the basis for neo-dandy.

The neo-dandy look

If you're not familiar with dandyism, you can never achieve a true neo-dandy look. There's a razor-thin line between stylish dressing up and kitschy overdressing. To create the neo-dandy look, a neo-dandy must have a certain style and class. You never leave the house looking unkempt. Everything about you is in perfect order. Perfectly fitting clothing is also very important. Want a neo-dandy look? Then a made-to-measure suit is essentially a requirement. Unfortunately, that can be quite pricey, but GENTS has the solution! At our location, we can alter and adjust suits so they fit better.

In addition to perfectly tailored clothing, there are several other garments that are essential for a true neo-dandy. With the following bold items, you can pull off the neo-dandy look this summer:

• Gilets (wear under a blazer or on their own);
• Quality shirts;
• Shawls;
• Blazers and sport coats (in striking colours or with bold prints);
• Modern shoes;
• Vintage accessories for a neo-dandy touch (such as braces, tie pins or lapel pins);
• Eccentric items to complete the outfit (a ring, walking stick or hat).

Originality and a bold taste

Do you find it difficult to judge what fits a neo-dandy look and what doesn't? Then it's good to remember what dandyism is all about: originality combined with a bold taste. In fact, anything that deviates from the prevailing norm is already interesting for you as a neo-dandy. GENTS' advice is therefore: develop your own unique clothing style. Don't be afraid to experiment and mix and match. This summer, let your inner neo-dandy loose!