Designers seem to be going through the characters of masculine echelon these past several seasons.  From the English gentleman reworked season to season reflecting varying time periods.  To various illustrations or regality, echoed best in Dolce and Gabanna’s Fall/Winter 2009 collection that reminds me of Russian aristocracy pre-Anastasia.  It only makes sense that the manifestation of classic statesmanship would move on, expressing different aspects of classic decadence.  And as the runways this Fall/Winter paraded looks of endless variety for every man in mind, a new one enters frame, and personally caught my eye.  Hints of equestrian details and looks came down the catwalks of Burberry, Bottega Venetta, Etro, Givenchy, and several others.
That’s right guys.  Get ready to saddle up.  Not in a Clint Eastwood kind of way, actually quite the opposite.  Think estates nestled in wooded areas lined with stoned walls, along a one lane dirt road deep in a country side. Hard to imagine for us urbanites.  Stable included and an entire house separately housing generations of bloodhounds bred to perfection.  Animal rights aside, these looks draw from the forgotten sport, if you could call it that, of fox hunting.
Want to be ahead of the curve on this one?  Well for a start, put away those jeans and dark wool trousers.  Think shades of camel, tones of tan, and light browns.  Find those trench and field jackets with leather details at the shoulders, or elbows, or both.  Keep the pants tights, without a pleat, and don’t forget to tuck it into your riding boots.  And remember, there is always time for tea.