Oh, menswear—'tis a complicated thing. Fashion on a man is best when it's subtle, but still unique; thrown on with a semblance of carelessness, but still well thought out. Mastering the balance between unstudied and polished is tricky, but totally attainable with the right stuff. And so we welcome the nascent menswear label, Hyden Yoo, which, with its nouveau take on impeccably tailored classics, makes men look effortlessly dapper with an edge.

Yoo initially started designing to update and extend the workplace wardrobe—he crafted shirts that were slim-fitting and of shorter length than usual, allowing men to wear them tucked in to work and then un-tucked for happy hour—without looking sloppy. Three years later, his eponymous collection has evolved into a full-fledged line of suits, coats, and sweaters, all with a self-described "Wall Street meets Brooklyn hipster" high-meets-low aesthetic that's swept New York in recent years. (Thank Taavo Somer.) "With menswear," he explains, "it's hard to reinvent the wheel and try to get men to buy those far out pieces." While still appealing to the everyday businessman, Yoo's traditional silhouettes get a modern update with the addition of subtle, edgy details like leather piping, convertible cuffs and slimming darts. These little touches make his collection appropriate for both work and play, while also appealing to a broader market: "It's not too stuffy where the Brooklyn kids can't wear it."

And because I saw them up close at Oak's recently opened showroom, I can testify: Cashmere-wool blended cardigan sweaters are so buttery soft, you won't be able to stop touching your handsome devil of a boyfriend. Although, at such accessible price points, it wouldn't hurt to buy one for yourself, too...but then, would you expect anything less from the man who sucked milk from a goat's teat on national TV?

For more information visit www.hydenyoo.com; see his pieces in person later this month at our Styles 2008 Fashion & Awards Show!

- Kristi Garced

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Similar Topics:fashion, Fresh Faces 2008, menswear, spring 2008, Styles 2008

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