Every so often, men’s magazines extoll the virtues of “all gray everything” as an alternative to black on black or a respite from bold prints and bright colors that menswear designers offer each spring.  In truth, it’s not difficult to find a huge variety of well-designed pieces in gray in any season, across a spectrum of labels and price points.  Dressed up or down, gray is versatile and easy to wear.  Details on some of my current picks and where to buy them after the jump.

Norse Projects Borderline Crew Knit in Heather Grey, £95
Available at Oi Polloi

Rag & Bone Hammer Shirt, $275
Available at Odin

Super Flat Top Sunglasses in Gray, $131
Available at Revolve Clothing

Florsheim by Duckie Brown Weld Brogue, $425
Available at Odin

Rodarte “Radarte” Hoodie, $155
Available at Opening Ceremony

Raf Simons x Fred Perry Roll-Neck Intarsia Sweater, $375
Available at Opening Ceremony

Company of We Steel Captain Sports Blazer, $294
Available at Oak

Band of Outsiders Raglan Cropped Sleeve Sweatshirt, $189
Available at Odin

Warriors of Radness Black Stone Officers Jean, $138
Available at Oak

Tretorn Grey Hockey Boot Puffer, $95
Available at Urban Outfitters

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)

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about downsizing my life (read: getting rid of a portion of the copious amount of clothing that has somehow made its way into my wardrobe).  But, no matter how many sweaters and button-downs I can part with willingly, I can’t bring myself to get rid of any of my sunglasses.  Nevermind that I more or less exclusively rotate from a selection of the same few pairs of Ray Bans, one cheapo set from Urban Outfitters and a (found!) pair of Ksubis while the others mostly sit in one of two overflowing drawers in my nightstand.  I just like knowing they’re there if I need them.

Since I am on a temporary sunglasses-buying T.O., I’ve decided instead to include a mini round-up of some of my recent favorites from the current crop of new releases.  See those after the jump.

(Top to bottom: Native Son x Mosley Tribes; Linda Farrow Projects x Damir Doma; Shwood; Billionaire Boys Club; Ray-Ban; SUPER)

I love everything about these limited edition sunglasses from the pros over at Super: the flat-top, the classic shape, cool design details (see the logo inside the hinge) and the genius Italian leather wrap.  They go on sale tomorrow at 3:33pm CET, available through December 10 — although something tells me they’ll be long gone before then.

(Photos via Super)