Maison Martin Margiela strikes a fine balance for SS14

Illusion, trickery and trompe l'oeil effects are the hallmarks of the Maison Martin Margiela brand, but it's a fine balance to tread between surprising your audience and making clothes that they actually want to wear. The maestros behind the label struck just that balance with their collection for SS14, with all the elements of a good menswear wardrobe present and correct (the sharp suit, the evening blazer, the light pullover) but each one subverted ever so slightly. Interesting treatments such as inside-out stitching, tunics cut just that bit longer, waistcoats dangling with fringing and t-shirts that looked worn with age, made it easy for a man to make a statement without drawing too much attention to himself. And as for the aprons over the trousers, which were cut to look like double hems from the jackets worn on top -- well, they just might catch on.