André Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

Saint Model Kibwe McGann wears a design from the Carlton Brown collection. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Men's handbags, pearls - yes, pearls! - and other accessories have hit the streets, forming not only part of the latest fashion craze but also overturning the traditional way in which Jamaican men attire themselves.

The baggy pants and other conventional men's garbs are still there but Jamaican men are on a fashion forward, embracing some of the newest styles.

Female fashion continues to maintain its sassiness but is being met with male sassiness, with the men increasingly looking like women in the way they dress or accessorise.

"Jamaicans are becoming more fashion-conscious. It is coming from the overseas designers who are introducing the boot cut jeans for men," said Dexter Pottinger, designer. "You now have what is called the 'metrosexual' (style) giving guys the softer, more polished look. Women are now appreciating the softer side of the men."

This also means that they are dabbling with colours that were worn predominantly by the opposite sex. But according to another Jamaican designer, Earl 'Biggy' Turner, some of the very colours and styles that are being worn now were in style in the '70s.

Colours are one thing but male fashionistas are delving into accessories like never before.

No longer a costume

"To be honest, a lot of it was being worn before, but on stage. But it is now no longer a costume. I must give credit to the Jamaican men," said Carlton Brown.

Brown, who designs mainly men's clothes, said that a lot of the changes come from the influence of American entertainment. He does not see it as a bad thing as men are becoming more appealing to their significant others.

The new awareness also has men wearing cufflinks more regularly. Cufflinks used to be accessories reserved for formal attire, but are now becoming a casual clothing trend as well.

Pottinger said that while some people will have a hard time accepting the changes, "we put it out there as fashion if you want to wear it. You should have the option. It makes life easier."

The increase in demand for men's fashion also means more designers are making more money and more seamstresses are being employed.

Speaking of colours, Biggy remembered once when he wore his mother's green shirt to Hope Pastures and got a lot of play from the women there. He said this meant the women appreciate a well-kept man.

"Any clothes yuh a mek, if di girls don't like it, it naah sell hard. You must have a balance; it can't be too masculine or feminine," he said.

The line has to be drawn somewhere, though. Biggy said it is not likely that men's fashion will get to the same level as women's fashion, but it is right up there.

Brown said that overall, more men need to take pride in what they wear.

"If you are in the public eye you have to look a certain way. This is why I love to see someone like Bobby Pickersgill or Michael Lee Chin on TV. They keep it together," Brown said.