Tommy Hilfiger has quite a penchant for bold, colorful runway shows, especially for someone who bears such an uncanny resemblance to John McCain. His Spring 2012 menswear collection, however, may just take the cake in the bold and colorful department. Super-saturated colors, wild prints, and a propensity for camo puts much of this collection squarely outside the realm of “wearable” (except amongst the most devout color-blocking aficionados), but more muted elements of Hilfiger’s classic nautical-prep point of view still ring true.
Large, blotchy camo prints in greens and blues, pinks and purples, or earthy tones that are actually vaguely reminiscent of nature adorn everything from shirt plackets and collars to pea coats to short shorts to boots and loafers. The end result is garments that look just as out of place on a runway as they would in an outdoor store.
Much of what isn’t given the camo treatment is doused in bright purple, orange, red, green, or yellow. The eye is given a chance to recuperate with garments in a deep navy chambray that are actually quite fetching. Handsomely tailored chambray trousers with red taping at the side seams are a youthful, fashiony take on United States Marine Corps dress trousers and another model cuts a fine figure in a double-breasted suit in navy chambray.
In addition to a couple of brightly colored varsity jackets (inexplicably in the colors of rival Oregon football teams), Hilfiger adapts the classic collegiate staple into a surprisingly good-looking blazer and a (less impressive) pea coat.
Departing from bright blocks of color, Hilfiger sent several looks down the runway with nautical stripes across shirts, jackets, and trouser legs. While horizontal stripes across the lower leg is definitely not a look for those who are concerned about fat calves, they’re a new take on the perennially popular and somewhat played-out nautical look.
Most of it can’t be pulled straight from the runway to the hallways of Walker, but Hilfiger’s collection definitely has some wearable take-aways. Double-breasted jackets are decidedly in and varsity jackets are the hot piece of outerwear for both Spring and Fall. As for camo penny loafers? I’ll pass.
