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It'S OU cites
§ OUT ofthe frying pan and into men's fashion, and

it's giving new meaning to the term "stain-resistant."
By Deana Lancaster ¢ Contributing Writer

“It's Teflon, the stuff they put on frying pans to keep
your eggs from sticking,” and according to John
Clark of The Mensroom at Bellevue Landing,
it's the most exciting thing to come along
since microfibre.
"What this means in my mind is
that a product like Scotchguard
will be kicked off the
market. It won't be
necessary." Teflon creates
a molecular shield
around each fibre of the
fabric, providing water and
stain repellency while stil
allowing the fabric to breathe. It's
being used on the pure wool cloth of the
new "super-suit," which also offers the
practical technology of a silicon bead under
the crease of the pant leg, leaving it permanently
looking "just-pressed." As well, the wool is high-twist,
which means that it's nearly impossible to wrinkle.
"In Vancouver, with our rain, even if you're
wearing a raincoat, you lose the crease in your
pants," says Clark. "With these suits the water
is going to run off your back like a duck's."
Clank says that the look this year for suits
is still double -breasted jackets with
three buttons, :
Paul Minichiello of Paul's of North
Shore agrees, adding that the jackets are
slightly longer than last year, and less boxy.
Maickiell prefers fo use fabric from

Silk

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Park Royal South

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Ermenegildo Zegna. "It's the finest cloth in the world," he says.

Patterns such as birds-eye, herringbone, houndstooth and
shepherd's plaid are very strong for spring, he adds.
Minichiello is also using faille this season, a wool from
Australia, It's popular because it doesn't get shiny the way that
other fabrics, like gabardine, do. When choosing fabric for a
suit or jacket, check the feel of the cloth in your hand, suggests
Minichiello. See if it wrinkles after squeezing or twisting it, "It
may look nice, but it may be garbage cloth," he says.

The hot look for pants this season is three pleats, or box .
pleats for casual pants. Minichiello says that a big cuff, about
1% inches is also a good look for spring. os

Texture is important. Graininess in the fabric or weaves is...’
very popular, as is the knitted look. "Nubby but not heavy," is.
the word from Clark. a

Shades ave softer in menswear this season. Start with — =’
creamy tones, such as taupe, mocha and wheat but pair them’

with stronger colors, suggests Clark... °
Try a muted green jacket; for’ .”
example. Terra cotta is also
a hot color for spring,

while Minichiello

puts blue and teal -

onthe list

The importance
of texture and the:

same creamy.

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