Why men are going green this autumn

It’s officially the new anti-black

Sarah Young
Saturday 23 September 2017 18:23 BST
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Earlier this year Pantone – that authority on all things colourful – decreed that the colour for 2017 was to be green. And, while they may have elected a shade more suited to Kermit the Frog, the announcement certainly had an influence on the runway.

At a time of year when greenery is famously thin on the ground, designer’s have pushed outfits that embrace rich, deep and mossy green on everything from suits to streetwear.

Typically this is a colour scheme that, with names like ‘army-green’, instils a sense of masculinity. But for autumn/winter 2017, there was precious little sign of a take on the classic US Army Service Uniform.

Instead, brands like Fendi looked back to 80s and 90s sportswear. In their collection tracksuits were paired with felt leopard-print coats inspired by Eastender’s Pat Butcher, while khaki covered everything from formal shirts and cropped trenches to puffer jackets worn with traffic-cone-orange trousers.

Elsewhere, Valentino investigated the idea of the gentleman and how “expressing your fragility is the new strength”. To go with with a collection of pinks, mint and camel, dark greens came in tweedy English prints, short boxy jackets and a classic, shearling trimmed parka.

One designer did take some inspiration from the uniform look: Craig Green sent a bevy of mariners and submariners down the runway wearing wide-brimmed bottoms and draw-string sailor smocks with hoods in deep shades of green as a way of abstracting military clothing.

Fendi Autumn Winter 2017 (Getty)

The best things about wearing this colour in real life is that it works brilliantly on all skin tones and will compliment almost any item in your wardrobe.

So why not invest in a sturdy piece of outerwear in muddy, countryside green to see you through the blustery months ahead.

Marston double-breasted mac, £495, Reiss

Or if you can't stretch to a coat, pick up a chunky knit, t-shirt or even a backpack as a more approachable way of nailing the trend.

Off-white, green camouflage backpack, £415, Ssense
Khaki sweatshirt, £20, Topman
Dark green cotton bomber, £24.99, New Look
Richard James paragon leather-trimmed suede sneakers, £195, Mr Porter
Olive green smart tapered trousers, £35, Topman
Three-pack green and khaki gradient socks, £4.99, New Look

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