Obakki : Raising the bar for Vancouver Menswear this coming Fall

A few weeks ago I attended Obakki's FW 2009 show. Obakki is a Vancouver-based international design house that markets both mens and womens wear. Their men's line is very much understated yet brings about a spirit of strength and masculinity. Like other menswear brands such John Varvatos and Alexander McQueen, this local brand shines in the originality and refined details of their pieces. If you haven't seen their collections, visit Obakki online.

Some key trends to keep in mind for Fall:

1) Plaid will be a staple. Although the show had an obsessive amount of plaid pieces, one plaid shirt in your closet would be enough. Plaid shirts can look great with a plain colored cardigan, sweater, vest, or jacket.

2) Slim Straight/Skinny Trousers remain. They're hanging out for one more season if not longer. Only wear if you are slim or skinny. If you're round and short, stick with a regular straight pant. Herringbone, Houndstooth and Tweed are still popular fabrics for pants.

3) Outerwear can go Rock and Roll or Outdoorsy. Leather jackets are making a strong comeback. To bring out your inner rockstar, get a motorcycle jacket in calf skin leather. Surely, this piece will be hot one this season. Oversized parkas are also going to be seen a lot more. Made from ballistic nylon or recycled polyester shells and lined with faux fur, this item is mandatory is rainy cities such as the ones in the Pacific Northwest.

Look out for a full Fall-Winter trend report straight from New York Fashion Week as we get closer to the season. In the meantime, make use of the boardshorts and enjoy the summer.

All images by Kevin Kinisky