If the sudden and dramatic shifts in weather on the night weren't proof enough, this year's message at David Jones' Autumn Winter runway really hammered home the importance of dressing for all occasions. And, from minimalist to Mods, there was something for every palette on offer.
Normcore revival
Three years ago normcore emerged as a controversial catwalk trend in menswear. If last night's preview of coming trends, held beneath the watchful eye of St Mary's Cathedral, is anything to go by the fuss-free look is still going strong. It was a paired-back aesthetic, exemplified by Aussie labels Bassike and Jac + Jack, that was offset by key vibrant looks taken straight out of the Mods and Rockers book of style from mid '60s London thanks to the poetically named Jack London.
Comfort factor
For winter, men can look forward style that focuses on the ultimate luxury – comfort. At Calibre, this meant teaming drawstring tuxedo pants with high-end sneakers, mixing sophistication with wearability.
Winter will be the era for denim, basic T-shirts, trainers and softer silhouetted knits in charcoal greys, black, navy, stone with strong colour statements in bold plums and reds.
The menswear on the runway also hammered home that the future of fits are looser – tapered and streamlined, but still looser – while distressed stone wash torn denim climbs back from the '90s with a Kurt Cobain-inspired vengeance.
Second wave
According to David Jones Ambassador Jason Dundas, the reemergence of normcore brings a new chapter into menswear. He says it's a mix of Kanye West, Pharrell Williams and David Beckham – a look he's happy to take inspiration from.
"Normcore is about matching your pants with sneakers and a simple classic plain shirt or top with no logos. Grey, navy and white are popular," says Dundas.
Staples include the bomber jacket, baseball cap, anorak jackets and crew neck jumpers in relaxed fits, denim worn with sneakers. If it doesn't look effortless, it's not normcore…get it?
Refined Knitwear
Another trend was the ditching of '80s looking chunky knits in favour for more refined, softer knitwear, with round neck and turtlenecks ruling this space. (Dundas rocks a fitted one under a Jack London blazer.) It was a look directly reminiscent of former One Direction Zayn Malik rocking a double-breasted suit with a turtleneck sweater at Tom Ford's New York Fashion Show last year.
Breaking it down
Still making its mark felt on the runway was the 'broken suit'. Guys are no longer buying their suits to be worn as a set, but rather mixing and matching their pieces.
At Jack London, velvet blazers did the talking – but always muted in tone. Similarly, Hugo Boss, Ted Baker and Armani were all styled to optimise contrasting textures and prints.
Welcome back rocker
Some might would argue he never left, but if Jack London has its way winter will be the season to channel your inner Mick Jagger with the rock icon an obvious inspiration on the runway.
One unforgettable look that, admittedly, won't be for everyone was the show-stopping sequined snake print jacket worn with fitted black jeans. And despite the push towards a more relaxed cut from other brands, defied convention by sticking with a skinnier fit.
A season for adventure
According to David Collins, the Group Executive of Merchandise at David Jones, men are becoming more adventurous in their dress sense and adopting the broken suit rule in Australia.
Collins says we'll see evidence of this in the workplace to the weekend guy who is thriving on this trend more now than ever before.
"As a result we've seen a departure from your traditional suit in our career wear and a move towards the broken suit," says David Collins.
"Men are wearing plain pants with a check jacket or a plain jacket with mixed media pieces thrown in. It's about dressing down but still looking sophisticated and that's the look that's on the runway," he says.