For those who feel stuck in something of a style cul-de-sac, the good news is that the Fashion industry is ever evolving, from season to season, either with brand new labels, or well-established brands embarking on experimentation and re-boot through fresh new off-shoot labels. Here are 10 of the top menswear brands that are setting the pace for fashion.

1. David Hart

David Hart has worked in the famous brands, Anna Sui, Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren. Having struck out for independence from these iconic companies, Hart has an apt signature style of American classics, given a quirky, contemporary twist. One of his biggest fans is the actor Alan Cumming.

2. Fingers Crossed

Ryu Hayama is another young designer who has begun making waves in fashion, after working with Ralph Lauren and Marc by Marc Jacobs. A more casual line than David Hart’s, Hayama, a former student of mechanical engineering, specialises in garments that give a Japanese twist to contemporary New York streetwear.

3. Profound Aesthetic

This New York-based label is celebrated for its extremely cool and — in a reflection of the label’s name — unorthodoxly cut anoraks, parkas and trench coats. The good news that these specialist items sell for wallet-friendly prices.

4. The Kooples

With a name derived from the French mispronunciation of the English word “couples”, The Kooples aims to produce corresponding fashion for men and women, with plenty of androgynous overlap. Designed in Paris, the brand maintains a 1960s Parisian feel, featuring slim tailoring and contrasting colours.

5. Under Armour

The specialist approach to performance apparel has ensured Under Armour is one of the hottest fashion brands of the 21st century. In a tight, competitive marketplace, Under Armour has carved a distinctive identity, helped by the uptick in demand for performance wear, and aided by smart marketing and endorsements from famous US athletes.

6. Levi’s

If the purveyors of just two types of clothing have benefited from the post-Millennial relaxation of traditional office dress codes, it has been manufacturers of athletic apparel and casual wear. In the latter category, it is no surprise to find venerable brand-conscious names such as Levi’s in continued demand for their denim lines.

7. Ralph Lauren

The popularity of the Ralph Lauren brand speaks for itself. The stylish casual but ever so smart apparel is sold at more than 11,000 stores around the world. A venerable firm, Ralph Lauren has adapted particularly well to communicating the core values of its brand in the social media age, and continues to attract stars to endorse its various collections.

8. Vans

Vans made its reputation for the monochrome checkerboard patterned skater shoes that were most popular at the start of the century. However, the company has pushed further into the fashion mainstream, catering for the increased demand for less orthodox and traditional footwear than would have been permissible in the past.

9. Nike

When it comes to making a bid for the casual and athletic footwear market, the long shadow you will face will be cast by Nike, who holds almost two-thirds of this sector. And as it becomes more clear with every passing year that the demand for athletic footwear is more than a fad, but a genuine post-Millennial fashion epoch, Nike will remain the firm to beat for some years to come.

10. Chanel

While Chanel is perhaps more associated with its extraordinary fashion shows and fragrances, the brand has made a profound impact on style in general. This is aided by its focus on quality, its clever marketing campaigns, boosted by equally slick social media promotions. Chanel has star quality that everyone aspires to!

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