PICKS OF THE WEEK

Mansnaps.com is just TWO weeks away from launch so make sure you keep in the loop with all the latest information by following us on Facebook!

This weeks top three picks from the high st embrace the current print trend.

This African print t-shirt is perfect for the Global Traveller look. It's an easy print to wear with jeans or chinos as well as chino shorts. If you're brave then mix with printed shorts. Check out Mansnaps contributor Owen Moss-Proctor editorial post for ideas!

Forever 21 offer affordable fashion had this vest is a prime example. The colour block print is a versatile piece, it will look great with shorts on the beach or layered under a shirt. Also the dark colour way will make it transitional through autumn as a layering piece.

I am in love with these paisley print shorts! If you're looking for something a little bit different this summer then these are perfect. Reasonably priced and a great style, these shorts will work well for print blocking or with a plain t-shirt or vest.

WOVEN FOOTWEAR

A couple of months ago I posted about the spring/summer footwear trends to look out for on the high st and one of the key fabric options for fringe detailed shoes, featured on the catwalk was woven leather. Burberry used the style heavily in their S/S12 catwalk show.

This look has now become a trend of it's own with numerous retailers adopting the 1970's inspired style and working it onto loafers, espadrilles, sandals and formal footwear options.

To get the1970s inspired look go for a woven shoe in tan. This colour will go with the current Aztec trend and the global traveller look.

UNION JACK PRINTS

Rule Britannia!
The upcoming Queen's Jubilee and Olympics have resulted in a surge of patriotism across the high st. Union Jack prints are on literally everything, from t-shirts and vests to plates and bunting.

In recent years, the Union Jack print has been more commonly associated with British "Chav" culture which for the style conscious male, isn't the ideal advert. The time has come however to wipe the slate clean and where your blue, white and red with as much enthusiasm as the stars and stripes we see, season upon season in our stores.

As we start to build bridges with the Union Jack print there must be a degree of caution with your outfit choice, the last thing you want is to be branded a "Chav". So, it should go without saying that unless you are part of Team GB in the Olympics, avoid wearing sportswear with your Union Jack print. Certainly take inspiration from the Olympics but aim for a more "sports luxe" look mixing chinos, shorts with hoodies rather than jogging bottoms.

PICKS OF THE WEEK

Prints are big news right now. Whilst printed trousers and shorts are harder to pull off for the everyman, prints are accessible to every man.

With this in mind, this weeks top three items from the high st offer three very different printed tops.

Reverse prints are a big look right now and work particularly well with Aztec and Hawaiian prints. By printing on the inside of the item it creates a washed out look which is perfect for those of you not bold enough to wear the trends. This reverse print Aztec vest from Burton is ideal for spring/summer as it can be worn under shirts or on its own on the beach.

Bold, graphic prints are only for the brave. I love this longline banana print t-shirt from Horace at ASOS. It's really quirky and is certainly different to any other print I've seen on the high st.

Every time I see gold, turquoise and blue together on a print I immediately think of Versace and this beauty from Zara is no different. I love the vintage look to the print, I think it's a great 'every day' t-shirt. It's something than you can throw on with jeans, chinos or shorts for an instant style boost.

IT'S NICE THAT / HAWAIIAN SHIRTS

ASOS latest collaboration with cult magazine It's Nice That features five contrasting print shirts.

Five hand picked artists - Jonathan Zawada, Michael Willis, Mike Perry, Mario Hugo and Hisham Bharoocha have all been asked to design graphics for five different Hawaiian shirts for the collection titled It's Nice That / Hawaiian Shirts.

The collection is bold and gives me a real 90's Ace Ventura vibe, but in a good way. I posted about Hawaiian shirts on the high st a couple of weeks and these prints are crazy in comparison, but in a good way. I don't know if I could pull one off, but I'm definitely inspired.

For more info visit www.ASOS.com.

THE DENIM JACKET

The denim jacket is back!

A long time favourite of Kanye West, the hottest jacket for spring is making an appearance in nearly every high st store. The double denim trend has been going for a couple of years now since denim shirts came back, making denim acceptable attire for your top half. What will make denim jackets easier to wear than the denim shirt however is the popularity of the chino. Men are no longer restricted to wearing denim jeans which means that for those of you who fear looking like a Bros tribute act (look up 1980's boy bands) need not worry.

As Mr West has demonstrated through his love of this latest trend, chinos and denim jackets actually work well together.

The high st has a range of washes and styles to choose from. Dark, raw denim washes will give you the greatest flexibility of a day/night jacket but light washed denim will look amazing with chinos and chino shorts through the sunny days.

If you want a vintage jacket then check out Urban Outfitters or Topman's vintage sections as they usually have loads of denim jackets to choose from. Alternatively, scout around your local charity shops. I found a great denim jacket in one of my local charity shops for just £7!

HAWAIIAN PRINT SHIRTS

There's no denying the huge increase in popularity of shirts this season, thanks largely to the current Aztec trend. I featured the new shirt trends in a post back in January and this is the follow up!

Hawaiian print shirts (or tropical print shirts) are going to be a big look this spring/summer. Designers such as James Long, Givenchy and Kenzo featured the prints on shirts, trousers, shorts and jumpers in their s/s12 collections.

The look is now starting to build on the high st and already there are a range of prints to suit everyone. Note that the majority will appear on short sleeve shirts. With prints this busy it would be difficult for every man to pull off the look in a long sleeves.

Much like the Aztec prints, you will either love this look or hate it. Personally, i love the look. Menswear is more exciting now than it has been for a while and we seem to be given options which are usually reserved for women. The nautical and Aztec trends both appeared at the same time as they did for women and Hawaiian prints seem to be following suit. So why not release the chains of those check shirts and reach for something more fun?