Perry Ellis-Perfect Sun, Sand, Beach, City

BOYS! BOYS! BOYS..on the beach and in the City!



Perry Ellis's show brochure didn't provide a specific concept for the Spring 2009 collection, but from where I sat, Creative Director John Crocco's entire collection of preppy-made-modern classics had the easy, sun-washed feel of the shore...a sand dune festooned with soft, subtle colors with a soft, light blue sky overhead. It was a collection where most of the clothes would work in the City, or in the Hamptons. Worn with cool, white aviator shades, the look portrayed casual chic at it's best.


To be sure, there was lots of light blue (or sky blue)...but it was super-subtle, soft, ethereal -- was almost washed of it's color. The blue was seen in everything from sweaters to stripes on shirts. Khaki, bright white, natural and some very, very light pink were also main color choices. One note-able exception was this bright, silk-cotton fine gauge T-neck in burnt orange, worn with sandwashed, flared jeans.


The collection was youthful and classic. Preppy, striped sweaters or piped with color such as the one in this photo, make for fun weekend wear. There were a lot of long, casual hoodies, some of them with "Errol Flynn" (or Peter Pan, if you will) type lacing in the front. in the front.

But the casual/dress-down Friday loose, textured jackets, (most worn with vests and subtly-tinted or printed shirts) seemed to be a nod to the always cool, Miami Vice look of the 80's. These outfits worn with or without a vest, shirt tucked in or left loose, will take a fashionable man from the workweek to the Hamptons without a second thought.

Another take on casual dressing I loved was this roll-up tab sleeve print shirt, topped with a vest...a great "date night" option! Other shirts featured subtle stripes and checks, and some vests were knitted...fun!


The clothes will look best on fit, young men, but individual pieces would appeal to just about any man of any size or age. Hair was by Frank Rizzieri of Rsessiontools.com, shoes by the Generic Man, and makeup was done by Wendy Karcher for Make Up For Ever