Whether you're a lover or a fighter, it’s all about the confident, sexy, and strong Renaissance woman this season. Gladiators are becoming more glamorous than casual, conquering the arena as the showstoppers of 2015, as shown by Dsquared2 and Stella McCartney. Following are mules and flatforms, with emphasis on the ankles, fringes, leathers, and feathers showcased by Oscar de La Renta. Reptile, paint, and floral prints are details used for texture, and added metal hardware on boots are giving a cowboy presence this season. Ethos Of Mystique Gladiators serve as a designer’s muse. From the unusual fabrics to the buckles, zippers and prints, imaginations continue to soar on the runway. The Hybrid Mule Refreshed and altered with whimsy, hardware, and laces, the mule is anything but boring! Lucite Vision Lucite heels are featured heavily this season and the material sculpturally pops up in unexpected ways. Bow Ties Whether it's a bow in the front or a tie in the back, sculptural, lavish or soft bows are everywhere! Floral Decor From prints to embroidery, the floral touch reminds us that spring and summer are finally here! Spaced Out Flatforms 90s refreshed soles get the height without discomfort as subtle sneaker elements are added. Flirty Fringe & Feathers Fringes are edged out with beaded details and hardware; feathers add a sexy flirty feminine touch. Curved heels On high and low heels, trendsetters are sacrificing comfort for the added interest and edge. Weave On The new weave has everyone excited, adding playfulness, texture and diverse designs.                  

Colour Trend Indulging all the senses, marsala, the universal earth-warming hue of wine, enriches us with confidence and stability in all things this season.

There are a few key trends each season that steal the show and resonate with a fashion-focused few, and the truth is that only a vast minority of people are privy to that group. But when you break down a trend to its wearable root, you're left with pieces you'll love and love to wear. Styling becomes less of a chore and pairing pieces together comes naturally. I decided to do something a bit different this season: instead of prattling off trends that you'll never be able to fully incorporate into your budget, I've broken it down into Bankable-Budget-Breakers, Quantity-Over-Quality and Call-A-Friend. To make this completely "shoppable," there are items you need—period, items that will slay a trend but will not break the bank, and trendy pieces you know your fashion-forward bestie has in his or her closet and now’s the time to borrow them. The Bankable-Budget-Breakers Any style-starved sister will tell you that suede is the biggest trend this season and that vintage borrowed suede looks tired and worn—adjectives you never want to have surrounding you come spring. Suede skirts, dusters, over-the-knee boots, and gloves are all items that will dip you in that 70s chic trend that swept runways from NYC to Paris. Theory, Halston, Gerard Darel Gucci and SAINT Laurent Paris have all embraced the trend and it's definitely one you're going to have to invest in too. Remember, time does suede no favors, especially if it's pig skin or if it hasn't been properly stored. Quantity-Over-Quality I'm the first person to justify an impressive price tag when shopping, but sometimes it's simply not necessary when fast fashion retailers have caught up to the trend. You can save a few pennies and it's perfectly okay. However, these next trends are going to be a flash in the pan or are already on their way out, so if the less-than-stellar style only lasts a season, you're not out a whole lot of cash. A gummy-soled sandal. We've all seen them in bulk at places like Forever 21 and Aldo. Spending a fortune on a Giuseppe Zanotti sounds like a fun Saturday afternoon, but it's totally not necessary to achieve this look. Another trend that can be achieved cheap and cheerfully is head to toe print. Be it a jumpsuit, maxi dress or slammin' separates, you can get this look for a tiny fraction of what it would cost off the runway. The Call-A-Friends You know them well: that close pal who invests in trends like they're going out of style; you know they're fashion hills to die over and you have probably saved them from a few unfortunate fashion faux-pas in the past. Well, your expert styling advice comes with a price, it's time to call in some favours. If ever there was a time to wear culottes, that time is now. Those bell-bottoms she has need a serious hem job...think mid-calf. Convince her to turn wide legged pants into culottes, and then convince her to borrow them. Unlike previous seasons, the more pleats up top, the better. Cool culottes are the mini skirts of last spring so you know what they say: beg, borrow or steal. Let's focus on borrowing. Other borrowable items include any shoe with a chunky heel and thick sole. Compliment that shoe with a wide waist cincher or thick belt wrapped around your hips over your high-waisted culottes.      

The Bankable-Budget-Breakers Investing in a quality can be a sure fire way to be a classic gent, but hitting trends on the head can be tough from a bespoke perspective. Custom suits can be made from thousands of swatches, but which ones will make you stand out in the right way for Spring 2015? When I went to Hong Kong last year, all the men were wearing bright, eye-catching cobalt blue. It dotted the financial district like sastrugi after a blizzard. Guess what just made its way to North America? Cobalt blue. Since last year, the color has only gotten brighter, but this season, think slate blue instead of sky blue or navy. Aside from suiting, invest in a solid pair of loose fitting lamb leather shorts or a leather shirt. This bad boy style is guaranteed to get you noticed in all the right ways. Quantity-Over-Quality After you've spent all your budget on a new suit, it's time to trick out your spring style with easy to buy quickies like a brown and white, or blue and white gingham shirt, a washed leather work style boot and an over-sized scarf. It doesn't have to be cashmere to be stylish. Wear it over your coat and hide the tassel ends to give it a captivating street style look. The Call-A-Friends Call up your buddy and tell them you're showing up with a six pack of his favourite drink. Then, while he's guzzling back, watching the game, it's time to "mission impossible" his closet! Your mission: grab all the holey shirts and sweaters you can find for the 90s grunge revival trend. Truth is, he won't even know you have them until he sees you on the popular page on Instagram wearing his old throwaways. Other things to borrow? Vintage sunglasses and paisley bow ties.    

The Fall 2014/Winter 2015 season brings some fall and winter mainstays along with some surprising twists, including a new it-bag just for the dudes. Black and White A combo we never get sick of. Alexander Wang is a master at playing with these two colours in contrasting blocks, trim details and layers. We love this versatile trend that lets up play up what’s already in our wardrobes. Boxy Bags Men’s bags just got supersized thanks to the mega influence of labels like Louis Vuitton, Versace and Balenciaga. They traded in spring’s soft clutches for masculine, tailored luggage of oversized proportions. Orange is the New Black Even we were surprised to see sprinkles of orange in menswear collections for fall! The colour varies in shades from light pumpkin to fiery red-orange. We’ve especially fallen for Topman Design’s outrageously orange outerwear. Roll Call The varsity feel of bomber jackets is perfectly on point for back to school season. Marc by Marc Jacobs made its version extra sporty with over-the-top lettering and patterns reminscient of Indy 500 attire, while Hermes went streamlined with an all-black, leather sleeve version.

Fall 2014/Winter 2015 lets you play dress up from one end of the fashion spectrum to the other. Play it soft and pretty in pastels or join the dark side in gothic getup. Viva Pastels Bubblegum shades survived the summer and are still trending for fall. Your must-have investment piece this season is a powder blue or soft lilac hued wool coat à la Gucci and Electric Feather. Witchy Woman If Fall 2014/Winter 2015’s runways had you reminiscing on 90’s cult film, The Craft, you were paying attention. The staples? Black velvet mini dresses, knee-high stockings and chokers galore. Athletic Aesthetic Sportswear hits another homerun this season with MVPs Louis Vuitton, Fendi and Miu Miu. Highbrow athletic wear means hi-tech fabrics, racer backs and mesh detailing for the win. Once Upon a Time It was a storybook ending from designers Alexander McQueen, Valentino and Dolce & Gabbana who presented high fashion versions of our favourite fairytale femme fatales. Snow White to Little Red Riding Hood were brought to life through delicate embroidery, romantic lace and sweeping silhouettes.  

  Totally Soled Out Rockabilly fans can hoot n’ holler as the pointy toed, buckled shoe reappeared on the runways. Animal, floral and even oh so-feminine lace prints strode down this season’s catwalks. The gladiator sandal, now considered a summer staple, made its presence known in many presentations. Materials ran the gamut from classic leather, both smooth and embossed, to suede. to translucent plastic, in the form of t-strap sandals at John Galliano. Well Heeled Designers turned to elegant styles of yore; lady-like, slim heeled slingbacks and pointy toe pumps all made a comeback this season. Platform soles were not in the forefront as in seasons past, although they are still around, often in the form of the wedge heel. Bright jewel tones made a statement, as did girly embellishments such as bows and ruffles.

The season’s trends pay homage to classic styles dating back as early as the 1920’s, but updated for some seriously modern wardrobe play. The Wide-Leg Trade in your skinnies, there’s a new trouser in town. Popularized by Coco Chanel in the 1920’s, wide-leg pants are making a comeback as one of the most wearable trends this year. Labels BCBG MAXAZRIA, Trina Turk and Alice + Olivia perfected the pant in loud prints, billowy fabrics and high waisted versions to elongate the tricky silhouette. Cropped Cher Horowitz would be, like, so stoked to see this 90’s fashion staple dominating spring/summer 2014 runways. This season’s modern crop top has been classed up in well-tailored versions and mature palettes. See 3.1 Phillip Lim’s elegant lavender fabric and BCBG’S boxy white sportswear take on the trend. Candy Store It’s no surprise sugary sweet pastels are trending for spring, nor Pantone’s “Colour of the Year,” Radiant Orchid. What is surprising are these soft hues matched head to toe as seen on Burberry, Armani and Jason Wu runways—a bold statement that can earn you serious street style points. Great Lengths Characterized by its calf-grazing hemline, the midi-skirt dates back to the 1940’s post-war era. Fashion has recycled the style over the years, always staying true to its origins as a sophisticated and elegant piece, à la Grace Kelly. The skirt swished onto runways last spring and is coming back even stronger for 2014. Editor favourites included the playful plaid House of Holland and Marchesa lace pencil midis. Bombs Away Labels Suka Clothing and Marc by Marc Jacobs are putting a feminine spin on the traditionally sporty bomber jacket with accents like floral sleeves and satin sheen. Paired with a pencil skirt, the garment looks extra chic.

It’s all about bold pattern and colour this season and men are asked to go big or go home. Modern camouflage, vibrant florals and pristine white are must-haves for spring and summer. Short Stories Suiting just got turned on its head. Voluminous Bermuda shorts were the new match to well tailored blazers on the runways of Jill Sander, Fendi Balenciaga and other heavy hitters, making short suits one of the most controversial trends this year. We’re not certain men will take this look into the boardroom, but hope to see the more daring fashionistos try it off-duty. White Knight There was major white noise happening on the runways of Vivienne Westwood, Comme des Garcons and Louis Vuitton. All-white suiting is a tricky look to pull off; the secret is to mix textures and fabrics to ensure you don’t look like you just walked off a cruise ship. Try silk with linen, or cotton with wool. Camo-Chameleon Just when you thought it was safe to come out, the camo trend is sighted again. The print first returned in 2012 and keeps popping up in major collections from Valentino to Dries Van Noten to super hip Ami. It’s been updated in flashy colours and slightly altered patterns to keep it looking fresh. You’ve got your marching orders, now go forth and be fashionable. Hit the Clutch Men’s bags are nothing new, but this season we saw an evolution from structured leather bags to what would be traditionally considered more feminine, soft clutches. Flower Power Embracing florals might have been the most consistent command from the spring/summer 2014 shows. Prada and 3.1 Philip Lim were favourites in executing the print with interesting, kaleidoscope patterns and beautifully contrasted colours. If you’re not ready to go full bloom, try incorporating florals into the details with a patterned tie, pocket scarf or a button-up layered under a blazer.  

Bid farewell to the quirky florals and pastels of summer. Fall 2013 menswear is masculine, sleek and refined. The Statement Scarf An easy accessory to update your fall wardrobe, the statement scarf started trending on city streets first. Earlier this year, street-style photographers snapped shot after shot of fashionable men wearing everything from printed bandanas tied neatly above collars to oversized, knit scarves wrapped in thick layers. The sidewalk-born trend found its way into designer collections by Kolor, Yohji Yamamato, Trussardi and Gucci. Solid colours are best for pairing with various topcoats, but if you’re looking for a more playful approach try it in a folk inspired print, or the season’s other hottest trend - plaid. Camo-tion Some of the season’s best menswear collections incorporated camouflage into their fall offerings. Some designers showed the print in its traditional tones, while others reinterpreted camo through deconstructed prints and surprising colour combinations. The season’s standout was surely the sleek, black on black camo executed by Valentino. Need for Tweed Tweed blazers, vests, topcoats and suits had menswear models looking absolutely academic this season. J. Crew and Ralph Lauren produced stunning tobacco brown suits in the scholastic fabric, while Paul Smith enveloped models in oversized, grey tweed topcoats over colourful fall layers. Plaid Fad Fall and plaid have been in a long-term love affair for years, so it’s not surprise the pattern is back for another seasonal fling. DSquared2 breathed fresh life into the fall favourite, crossing vibrant blues and greens on sheen fabrics. The mad plaid suits presented by Valentino were absolutely exquisite in tailoring, while Saint Laurent took it grunge in collared zip-up jackets.