When you’re the fastest man on four wheels (generally speaking), British and wealthy to boot, there’s little to no chance that you’ll escape the attention of the paparazzi.

Not that Lewis Hamilton has ever shied away from it, because over the last 10 years or so he’s taken to the limelight.

Along the way he’s undergone something of a fashion revolution – take for example this beaut from back in 2006:

Fast forward to 2010 and he’s become a little, um, edgier – maybe the influence of Nicole Scherzinger?

This being 2017, and the idea being to express yourself with regards the clothes you choose, Lewis’ recent outfits at Paris Fashion Week were pretty bold.

The press certainly had a field day, with images like this shared around the world:

Some brave choices there, perhaps, but if that’s your style then own it.

I guess our local men’s fashion choices have their own thing going on too, and clothes men would never have worn a few year’s back can be seen all over the show.

Remember when men wearing floral was a real no-no? You can’t take a stroll around the City Bowl now without seeing someone rocking the flower power.

Maybe it’s Paul van der Spuy from bluecollarwhitecollar – if he’s wearing it you can be sure it’s dapper:

That’s not to say the suit isn’t still popular – one look at GQ’s best dressed men of 2016 and you’ll see what we mean.

Here’s number one, Vuyo Dabula:

Very classy.

But what does a shift like that towards more brave and bold choices, as well as an increased consumer awareness with regards where their clothes are sourced from, mean for the ever-changing fashion industry here in South Africa?

We spoke to Simone Van Kraayenburg, bluecollarwhitecollar’s planner, who answered our questions:

Would you say bluecollarwhitecollar resembles and amplifies the current SA men’s style?

bluecollarwhitecollar is all about timeless style and retro revival, and does not follow traditional trends. We don’t do fast fashion. We aim to stand by our craft, which is superb quality, a great cut, natural fibres, quirky prints and locally made garments.

We have no boundaries when it comes to prints, whether it be aeroplanes, watermelons or coconuts. Any print that has a quirk and is unexpected are our favourite ones and our customers love them. Colour pallets we use are lighter colours for summer, and warmer colours for winter.

When we do a fashion show, it is to show the lifestyle of a bluecollar or whitecollar girl or guy, not to show the “next trend”.

How has SA menswear changed (from where to where)?

I think there is a clear indication that SA menswear is leaning to a more dapper and “gentlemen” 60’s look. A man that is well put together, perhaps in a three-piece suit with a tie or bowtie.

Men are definitely more conscious than before in what they are wearing, as well as buying, and are taking note of fabric quality and fit.

What influences the current prints and designs?

We stick to six elements – dots, print, plain, denim, check and paisley. Our plain’s might be plain in colour,but could be an interesting weave or surface interest.

We currently have a shirt where the tiny dots are actually woven to create that effect. The fabric must also have a pleasant feel to it – the type that you would want to cuddle it at night because it feels so good.

Where do you see SA men’s style going in the future?

Our emerging designers have to think more ready to wear, good quality and good fit. Fit is so important; it can make or break you.

Why is bluecollarwhitecollar creating the designs that they do?

We love to keep the unexpected alive through careful attention to detail, that the customer will appreciate but not necessarily expect. We want our customers to pick up a bluecollarwhitecollar garment and say “Shirt, that is amazing.”

Whatever your fashion choices, I guess you just have to take them and make them your own.

Then again, it never hurts to make sure you’re buying from a local company that draws inspiration from the people who call this country home.

Local is lekker, and when it comes to what’s happening down south that certainly rings true.

[sources:telegraph&dailymail]