Whatever - it's comfort that counts. The key, it seems, is in finding a happy medium between formal and funky. Witness the take-off in svelte crombeys with red threat stitching or camel with black stitching. Stodge rockers Oasis played their part though in truth the look piggybacked into fashion in the wake of several years previously. In keeping with our enduring militaristic fetish, an army surplus brutalism has permeated the look.
CLUB culture can also claim a discernible influence.
Heavily padded, metallic finish coats have this winter crossed over into the high street. Previously worn exclusively by self proclaimed trend setters and people who listen to too much trip-hop, the style is more likely to be spotted adorning the sort of individual who thinks Ninja Tunes is a record label that reissues Bruce Lee soundtracks. Trends develop much more slowly in men's fashion. Synthetic fibres have become enormously fashionable. They haven't always had popular currency but at the moment seem to be entering the mainstream in a major way.