Men's leather on the rise at Milan Fashion Week 2009

It used to be that men and leather was confined to a pair of black or brown glace gloves for the winter and a simple leather belt for daily use. Now, men's leather is on the rise, and is attempting to steer men away from the mundane leather accessories and sport more leather jackets, coats, and pants. Leather wear is also being promoted more in the movies... copies of Tom Cruise's leather hero jacket from his blockbuster film War of the Worlds were in high demand, not only because the actor wore it so well, but also because leather jackets are functional, very sexy, and can be worn on literally any occasion.

Men's leather fashions were out in full force at this year's fashion week in Milan. Though very versatile, leather must be worn correctly in order to exude confidence, style, and sophistication. For example, tight leather clothing is a no-no, as is dressing from head-to-toe in leather (unless you're planning to hop on a motorcycle!). A few key leather pieces added to your wardrobe can go a long way...

If you're new to the leather scene, start off small... Armani put together a fantastically functional fall/winter look, pairing a warm, voluptuous coat with a pair of black glace gloves: functional, yet incredibly sexy!

Leather hats are making a comeback this season as well. Fedoras are becoming increasingly popular among the guys, being worn with a trenchcoat or even as a complement to smart business attire. A more casual look can be accented by a flat leather cap, worn with pants, a sweater, and scarf... don't forget your gloves on those chilly days!

Many designers, such as Dolce and Gabbana (above) chose to feature a motorcycle-style leather jacket, pairing it with casual pants or jeans and a turtleneck. A jacket of this type could also work with dress pants and a monochromatic shirt and tie, perhaps for that early office meeting or an evening with someone special. No matter what the occasion, leather fits perfectly!

Perhaps the most versatile piece of leather clothing is the trenchcoat... Versace's fabulous double-breasted coat can be worn over professional business attire or toned down with pants and a turtleneck for a casual look.

Dark colors look best on men... though black is the most popular color, pieces in blue or brown can still be used to make the ultimate fashion statement. Men have been using leather for decades, as wallets, belts, briefcases, and shoes, so leather fashion is not necessarily foreign territory. However, it's time for our guys to branch out, try something new, and don some leather clothing... make a strong, stylish, elegant statement!

Sacrificing circulation for fashion

The Victorian era (1837 - 1901) is known for its feeling of prudishness, reservation, and unique culture. Women traditionally wore tight corsets, puffy sleeves, and elaborate crinolines beneath their dresses. For men, stove-pipe pants and a smart cravat were all the rage. However, both men and women were never without their gloves... whether it was time for tea, church, or just a social call, gloves were a necessity. To accommodate the feeling of the time, gloves were actually worn so tightly that it would often take upwards of 20 minutes to don a single glove!

Canadian songbird's got style!

Celine Dion, world-famous chanteuse from Charlemagne, Quebec, Canada, is known for her amazing voice, romantic lyics, and awe-inspiring shows. She also knows how to put together a spectacular outfit!

These leather leg gloves make the perfect spring outfit... pair them with a babydoll dress like Celine, or even a long tunic-style top or wrap dress. No matter how you wear them, these leggings make an essential addition to even the biggest of closets!

New at Ines!

My where are my glossy fingerless gloves!

Fingerless gloves are quickly becoming this season's must-have accessory... warm in winter, yet cool in summer, and sensual all year long! These gloves are made of the finest, softest lamb leather, with a glossy snakeskin pattern. Use these unique gloves to show off some funky rings, bracelets, or your new manicure in style... available only at http://www.inesgloves.com/.

Spotlight on Canadian fashion: Todd Lynn

Todd Lynn takes centre stage, stepping out from behind the scenes where he has been quietly creating wardrobe for the music industry's elite. He is rock n' roll's best kept secret! His clients include Bono and Adam Clayton from U2; The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood; Marilyn Manson; Soft Cell's Marc Almond; Courtney Love; and PJ Harvey.



Todd Lynn launched his much-anticipated eponymous collection in London to press and buyers in September, 2006. His collection embodies the easy, dark, and beautiful rock n' roll cool that his music industry heavy-hitters have long appreciated. The collection incorporates the hybrid fusion of perfect tailoring and casual deconstruction. Once the sole domain of his celebrity bespoke clientele, now the world at large can access the Todd Lynn aesthetic.

The style-conscious and rock n' roll fan alike can get their hands on the goods at the world's top fashion retailers!

This combination of fur and shoulder-high leather gloves is perfect rock n' roll chic! This makes for a very classic look with a touch of edginess! Functional, yet fabulous!

Dressing from head-to-toe in leather is an ideal way to really indulge your senses! The scent and soft feel of the leather instills confidence, exudes elegance, and appeals to every eye... the leather look can be toned down with a sexy suit jacket or accented with a pair of colored leather gloves. Try a pair of scoop half gloves in My fire!

I love the look of a long leather jacket... very classy and ultimately sexy and slimming for a very sleek look. If you really want to show off your leather gloves, a pair of almost elbow high gauntlet gloves can be worn over the jacket.

Leather pants are a must-have for any leather enthusiast! Very sexy, and can really be worn in any season... pants paired with past elbow gloves is great for a spring day. Show a little skin, with a touch of elegance.

Black is cetainly not the only color for leather! White leather gives off a lot of charm and appeal, making for the ultimate get-noticed, classy look... white is also very easy to complement with colored glace gloves - my fire, my sweets, or even my candy!
- biographical information and photographs courtesy of www.ToddLynn.com

A little too long in the glove

The reign of Queen Elizabeth I marked a time when gloves were first becoming popular for women in England. Unfortunately for the glove enthusiast, gloves were often manufactured 11 inches longer than necessary! Glove wearers would then stuff the extra length with paper... great for a secret storage place!

Ines Glove of the Week

The incredibly popular... My fashion scoop half gloves!

These gloves are one of the best ways to make a unique fashion statement in the spring and summer. The scoop gloves are manufactured from very soft leather of the finest, highest quality. Available in a variety of colors, including silver, gold, black, grey, and fuschia. Sarah Jessica Parker really seemed to like the My haze color... she wore them in the Sex and the City film!

If you're looking for an elegant glove to wear while driving or just for something different, try the scoop half driving glove. These are perfect gloves to get you and your car noticed!

Finally, if you're feeling especially daring, check out the My snake half gloves... the same design as the scoop glove, with a sexy, patent leather, glossy black-and-white snake print!

Why not indulge your senses and treat yourself to a pair of half gloves? See the full collection at www.InesGloves.com. Enjoy!