A few months back, I previewed some of the SS11 collection from French collective Kitsune when they exhibited at (capsule) New York and rocked everyone’s collective world with their presentation.  I got to see some of the current collection in person again last week nestled alongside Monitaly and Mark McNairy downstairs at Dover Street Market in London and was reminded of how sometimes it’s just nice to see a brand that does basics really well.

Now, Kitsune has released this teaser video for their spring 11 line.  In the clip, models Hadrien and Nane race each other to put on some of those pastel pants, cardigans and button-downs that you’ll want to get your hands on in a few months.  But let’s be serious: this video is really about watching models in their undies.

Feel bad about your own body until the 2:25 mark, when Hadrien and Nane show you that just like money can’t buy you class, sexiness can’t buy you rhythm.

I knew of Swedish brand The Local Firm peripherally as one of the exhibitors at (capsule), but I revisited them after I saw this post on Selectism about these shades.  I have a similar pair of Ksubis, but I like that these are a bit boxier, and almost have a 3D glasses vibe to them, which for some reason I find appealing.  I don’t even mind the metal plate logo on the bridge.  Even though these were part of the SS11 show, they seem to be carry-overs from this season, as they’re currently available at Blackbird.  Get ‘em while you can.

(Photos via Selectism, Blackbird and The Local Firm)

And speaking of (capsule), I was reminded today while reading The Black Nouveau of these killer studded loafers from Yuketen that I wanted to post about so badly during the winter show season, but didn’t have imagery to do so.  Thankfully they’ve surfaced at Opening Ceremony, where they’re on sale for a cool $430.  I’m a sucker for unexpected details and these otherwise traditional loafers with a little punkish flair are really doing it for me right now.

Back in February, we got a sneak peek at the fall collection from NYC-based designer Dana Lee out in Vegas at (capsule).  Now, a few months closer to these clothes hitting stores, you can see the AW10 lookbook on the label’s site.  Even though Lee recently noted in an interview with Secret Forts that she’s not too concerned with creating “head-to-toe” looks, it’s not hard to imagine leaving the house on a crisp October day dressed like the models here — especially artist Mat Bushell (above), who embodies that downtown, Ginsbergian nerdy-cool in these shots.  These pieces are the basics that provide a solid foundation to any wardrobe — simple enough to be worn season after season, but with enough character to keep you from getting bored.  See some more from Dana Lee after the jump.

If there’s one thing I learned from this season’s awesome (capsule) shows, it’s that it takes a very specific type of man to rock the drop crotch.  But, if there are two things, it’s that there is still so much out there in menswear right now really worth getting excited about.  Between New York, Vegas and Paris, plus Compass for footwear and (capsule) Women’s, hundreds of brands came together to build some serious buzz and get some big exposure.  Favorites like Mark McNairy (who we can thank when we’re all wearing digital camo cargo pants) lived up to the hype and relative newcomers like Norse Projects made a big impact on their own.

So since I’ve had all of 5 hours to reflect on the trade show season since (capsule) Women’s wrapped this evening, what better time than now to check off a list of some of my own personal favorites from these last five shows, after the jump.

I mentioned it above, but I’ll mention it again: Norse Projects is sooo good.  Seriously, look at the knits:

And there are more pieces from AW10 that are even better that I can’t find online right now.  An instant fan.

Speaking of knits, if you’re anything like me, you like your cardigans like you like your women: chunky.  In which case, this number from Dana Lee is perfect in its simplicity/chunkiness:

My old fave Stolen Girlfriends Club also makes a compelling case for what they deem “oversized grandpa knits,” of which I am also partial:

And because, why not?  Peter Jensen:

Billy Reid has gotten a ton of attention lately, thanks in no small part to recently being crowned GQ / CFDA’s Best New Menswear Designer in America.  In addition to having one of the nicest sales crews at (capsule), his collection did not disappoint.  This trench is definitely a highlight:

Both Reyn Spooner and Warriors of Radness are doing fun, beach-ready collections, updated for today with strong blasts of nostalgia, albeit influenced by very different periods in American surf history.  See the Mar/Apr “American Issue” of Sportswear International for a look at some AW10 selections from both of those brands.

And then of course, the accessories.  Illesteva, Cutler & Gross and SUPER had some killer, killer shades for fall.  And while I’m not a huge bag-carrying kind of guy, this plaid situation from Jack Spade is pretty tight:

As is pretty much the entire Mismo product line:

And one of my absolute favorites from (capsule) this year is Yuketen, whose footwear range is RIDICULOUS.

Seriously, that picture doesn’t even do justice to how sick their fall collection is.  I mean, I’m talking studded moccasins.  Just think about that for a hot second.  Studded Moccasins.

I’m not much of a womenswear connoisseur, but from what I saw at the women’s show, I’m placing my money on Barlow to make some big moves as a cool-girl clothing line.

Thankfully, this post comes with a moral, and it’s a moral in two parts.

1.) If you missed the winter shows this season, be sure to get yourself to (capsule) in the summer this year.

And 2.) Gentlemen, start saving some cash now for your fall wardrobe.  If the brands previewing at (capsule) are any indication, you’re going to have a lot of shopping to do.

(photos via We Are the Market — check that out for more show highlights)

(capsule) New York is officially a wrap for the season, but if you weren’t one of the lucky thousands to make it to the show this year, you can thank filmmaker and avid style blogger Jake Davis for bringing a taste of the show to the un-Quoddy’d masses.  For two days at (capsule) at the Angel Orensanz Foundation on the Lower East Side, Jake filmed attendees whose personal style caught his eye exclusively for T Magazine.  Those who sat for screen tests include Jockum Hallin of Our Legacy (above), Supreme mastermind Brendon Babenzien, and the very cute Tanya Romero.   Watch them all at T.