Wild & Creative Prints - 9 Brand Recommendations for 2014

Share this on WhatsApp

I really do love this time of year, there are loads of summer sale bargains still to be had and the first autumn/winter new season drops are beginning to hit the rails; I mean if you’re into your threads what more can you ask for? Now if you’re into your wild, bold and colourful prints like us here at Male Extravaganza HQ, then I’m sure you will have appreciated the array of floral designs and impressive colour blocking that’s littered the high street throughout the summer months.

However, just because the new season is rapidly approaching that doesn’t mean it needs to spell the end of creative statement wares. So, before go any further be sure to chuck that dreary grey knitwear you’ve been lazing around in all week back in you’re wardrobe and take a look at our 9 brand recommendations for wild, bold prints that will keep you looking and feeling creative all year round.

1. Gitman Brothers

In case you hadn’t noticed we’ve got nothing but love Gitman Brothers here at Male Extravaganza. The American Heritage brand have been manufacturing high quality cotton shirts since 1978, with wild and bold prints always a mainstay amongst their collections. Gitman Brother’s Vintage arm of the business manufacturer some of the best shirts on market, with those high button up collars and super creative designs remaining ever present. They’re without question one of the coolest, most forwarding thinking shirt makers around; I mean come on, for SS14 they even released a shirt with a comic strip printed on it!

S HOP GITMAN VINTAGE HERE

2. Paul Smith

Contemporary menswear designer Paul Smith is renowned for creating innovative prints throughout his knitwear, shirting and accessory collections. Whether it be the classic Paul Smith stripes, Mini Coopers or this window print below, there’s always a fresh, wild (and often very British) prints on offer for the start of each season. One of our favourites here at ME is the Paul Smith Jeans – Botanical Floral Print Shirt featured below, which is one the first shirts to drop for the AW14 season.

SHOP PAUL SMITH HERE

3. Maison Kitsune

You can’t beat a foxy number and French clothing brand come record label Maison Kitsune are well known for having the cunning carnivoran as their logo. One of my favourite sweatshirts of AW13 was their ‘all over fox in shades’ childish sweater and now their back this season with the 3D Fox and Walking Fox Sweaters, which are both constructed in 100% cotton and feature high quality screen prints.

SHOP MAISON KITSUNE HERE

4. Lacoste LIVE!

Do you remember when Lacoste was a label that only football casuals and proper hard-knocks used to wear? Well not anymore. Their new Lacoste Live collection embraces contemporary and creative menswear with a range a polo shirts, knitwear and footwear ideally suited for those looking to make statement. Think a mixture wild and bold colourways, vintage styles and original street wear all with a trimmed down, tailored fit. Lacoste Live … a great example of a brand reinventing itself.

SHOP LACOSTE LIVE HERE

5. Odd Future

American Hip-Hop collective Odd Future emerged from the LA music scene back in 2007 and in recent years they’ve established their very own streetwear brand. Despite not being as established as some this list, the emerging brand is making waves amongst the skate community and are now stocking their apparel in a number of UK & European retailers. Similar to that of Pharrell William‘s Billionaire Boys Club & Ice-Cream imprints you can expect loud patterns, prints and images on oversized tees, hoodies and sweats. Check out some of Odd Future’s AW14 collection below, which includes my personal favourite the jasper balloon crew neck sweatshirt.

SHOP ODD FUTURE HERE

6. Engineered Garments

What do you get when you combine Japanese attention for detail, with the great American Outdoors? Well it’s simple, some of the most beautifully constructed clothing around from Japanese/US workwear brand Engineered Garments. From outerwear to accessories these guys make some seriously slick clothing. Expect quirky, yet understated design touches and a real eye for detail. Oh and when it comes to their shirting, colourful checked and patterned prints are the order of the day.

SHOP ENGINEERED GARMENTS HERE

WHY NOT CHECK OUT OUR CHECKED SHIRT TRENDS FOR 2014

7. Sperry Topsider

Sperry Topsider are regarding as the original boat shoe, with their very first shoe hitting the shelves back in 1935. The Massachusetts footwear manufacturers have come a long way since their original leather, grooved sole deck shoes and now produce a range of CVO Canvass sneakers featuring a range of colourful, floral prints. I purchased a pair of the authentic floral CVOs a few months ago and they really are a great summer shoe. If you like your Vans, you will love these Sperry’s.

SHOP SPERRY TOPSIDER HERE

8. Obey

Obey was formed in 2001 as an extension of Shepherd Fairy’s street art campaign that was rooted in punk rock, skate culture and original military work wear. Fairy’s influences are still very much part of their current collections, with staple pieces featuring cool printed tees and some of the best short sleeves shirts on the market. The one thing that always stands out for me about Obey is their great floral prints and the black tourist woven shirt below with the yellow floral print is my clear pick of their current stock.

SHOP OBEY HERE

9. Levi Vintage Clothing

Levi need no introduction and their vintage clothing arm has received deserved industry acclaim over the last 12 months and you can see why. LVC really have created some fantastic vintage pieces, managing to reproduce fits and fabrics that embrace traditional workwear from bygone eras. Their colour-ways are creative, yet understated and the 1960s striped shirt below really gives you a flavour for what this collection is all about. We wouldn’t really expect anything less from Levi though, would we?