For fashionistas mourning the colour-blocking fad of 2011, there’s a new way to inject colour into your wardrobe this season, which is currently taking the fashion world by storm. Acquaint yourself with the acronym POC: Pop of Colour! According to Hollywood stylist Brad Goreski (celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe’s former fashion assistant who recently branched out with his own fashion reality show It’s a Brad Brad World POC is the latest trend emerging on runways all over the world, and is the ideal way to lift a simple outfit or add a splash of fun to your basic ensembles.
This trend is for everyone, but it works especially well for menswear, which is a refreshing change as that’s a sector that fashion trends often circumvent. Runways have been flourishing with male models in bright trench coats, bold coloured cigarette pants and all-black suits with neon socks. The beauty of the look is in its versatility, it can be tailored exactly to your comfort zones.
The focal point of the look is to be able to incorporate new pieces into your existing wardrobe so you can recreate your old looks with something fresh and fashion-forward. For the more conservative man, POC can be incorporated with subtlety, perhaps coloured socks or a bright tie or belt. Black trousers with bold orange socks or denim with an eye-catching belt in a bright shade is the perfect way to effortlessly make this style your own. For the more daring man, there is no limit to POC use, and colour-clashing is totally permissible.
Brad Goreski admits that at times he looks like a box of crayons, rocking a coloured blazer, neon skinny leg trousers, and a bright clashing collared shirt. If you’re comfortable mixing bold shades of primary colours or fabulous neons, then this trend can be a lot of fun and the sky’s the limit. It’s important to go for vibrant colours because the look is so intense patterns should probably be avoided – since this could make the overall scheme look a bit busy. Experiment with bright coats or a cool shoe in an outrageous shade, mix and match greens and blues and red, and embrace the colour pink; men who are comfortable with their masculinity should never fear it.
For a more wearable, everyday sophisticated style you should consider your current wardrobe and select colours that can be integrated into it. A timeless black suit and white shirt can be given a lift with a bold red tie, while dark jeans and a neutral shade sweater can be broken up with some stripy bright socks. There’s no limit on which colours can be used for POC, but for menswear you can’t go wrong with a vibrant red or a strong blue. For womenswear this trend is very wearable. Lift an all-grey or black look with a lipstick pink stiletto or break up a casual earth-toned outfit with a vibrant scarf or hat.
A power-blazer in a neon bright will transform a conservative boardroom suit, while cigarette pants in a daring red or intense blue make a casual outfit incredibly eye-catching. With POC you can have one great piece to centre your ensemble around and then just mix-and-match with simple black and neutrals.
For a milder version of this look invest in some bright red nail polish or some chunky coloured jewellery, like a brightly coloured cuff or some cool beads that can be paired effortlessly with your favourite Little Black Dress (LBD). This trend is all about having fun and not taking yourself too seriously, so embrace it, enjoy it and find colours that will lift your look and your mood. Stockists: Paul Smith, paulsmithaustralia.com; Kenzo, tiesncuffs.com.au; Hermes, australia.hermes.com; OPI, opi.net.au; Christian Louboutin, louboutinaustralia.eu/