The start of the year is the time to break old habits and to dress to impress. With the Lunar New Year coming up, men’s wardrobe choices would be smarter. Some things do not change though, as the basic need for comfort and functionality will always guide a guy’s selection in apparel. Here are the predictions into what will be more popular for the first half of the year:

1. Business Casual: As the saying goes, “a new year a new you”. With upcoming parties, men would definitely want to up their style game. Business casual looks to be more popular as it the outfit of the modern gentlemen. Some key pieces we would be seeing is a reliable ol’ navy shirt.

One can never go wrong with it- navy is a versatile colour and a shirt can go from casual to formal in an instant! Add a tie for major presentations at work or a vest for a night out. Roll up the sleeves when it is time for happy hour! Another reason for the popularity of the business casual outfit is the Chinese New Year. Dressing smart on visits to your relatives is the smart move!

2. Denim: Nostalgia in fashion is making a comeback. This time with the revival of the 90s! The success of denim on denim last season leads to a more sensible fashion choice. Nothing like ripped skinny jeans for the weekend.

Switch it up to a denim shirt or jacket for a dressed down version of the business casual or add boot cut jeans to pair with sneakers. Nothing works well like fashion in its functional form. With streetstyle adopting more grunge-like styles (Plaid shirts and chambray), denim seems to be a natural progression.

3. Basics: This item has always been a staple through and through: basics. For this season it is the white oversized shirt that will take over men’s looks. This look has been around for while in the US and it is finally entering our shores thanks to celebrities like Justin Bieber and Kanye West.

Staying in line with the functional mentality, this item proves to be just that. It can be easily matched with a pair of jeans or jogger pants. It helps that this apparel is oh so comfortable too!

4. Knee-Grazers: This year’s runway featured a nostalgic throwback to Seventies-style waist high bermudas. And my, did they come in all prints and designs! Another semi-historic fashion trend to be gracing the runways, this year’s knee-length pants were slim-fitting and summer friendly.

Appropriate for the heat of South-East Asian countries, knee-long bermudas would work wonders for a casual look if paired off with the right coloured slip-ons.

5. Many Shades Of Green: This season, the designers who choose to work with this wonderful summer hue chose to feature several shades of green on a single ensemble. It wasn’t just plain ol’ green-it was emerald, shamrock, juniper and crazy graphic prints all thrown into the same apparel.

Go green this summer, both literally and figuratively. If you’re experimenting with green for the first time, don’t attempt to replicate top couture houses. Stick to a single shade of green on your outfit-top, bottom or shoes.

Which of these trends do you love? Do let us know in the comments below!