Mods and shockers

Prada's orange leather shorts had the crowds talking at Milan Fashion Week. Picture / Reuters

Take a romp through the Alps with lederhosen, laced breeches, colourful knits and mountain hats.

Give a nod to new age mods and rockers or indulge in a spot of clever fashion engineering with short-cut jackets cut open at the back to allow cool air to circulate.

Actually pretty much anything goes when it comes to men's fashion at the moment - on the international runways that is.

The world's top designers showed their ready-to-wear collections in Paris and Milan with trousers and jackets featuring a more slimline silhouette.

Shorts came in every length and fabric - but it was Prada's brightly coloured patent leather shorts which had the fashion crowd's attention.

There was a definite 80s vibe to some of the labels' spring/summer wear too.

Didier Grumbach, president of France's couture federation, says menswear has become much more varied and exciting in recent seasons, relegating the three-piece suit to office-wear only.

"Since Yohji Yamamoto and (Jean Paul) Gaultier showed men in skirts - we don't wear skirts yet - the collections are much more daring and much more fun."

Menswear shows until a few years ago were boring, he said.

"Even to make it a little spicy you always had two or three beautiful ladies in the middle. That's over. Men are enough."