MILAN, Mar 18, 2005/ FW/ --- The Milan men’s autumn/winter 2005-2006 season is officially over, so what is hot and new on the consumer market?

Of course there were a lot of styles and eras revisited. The overall consensus is that velvet anything is the way to go.

Every designer had a wonderful velvet suit within their collection. If it was not styled as a single look, then it was matched with jeans. Not just any velvet is the tea; it is specifically fine comb velvet. These fine combed velvets have short hairs, which is much more fashionable than the plush velvets of the 70s.

Sticking in the textile and fabric department, ponyskin is the new leather. From Salvatore Ferragamo to Ozwald Boateng showed not only coats but great accessories in ponyskin. Ferragamo has accessorized properly with a sleek riding boot and hefty carry on bags in the skin of the season.

Boateng produced beautiful jackets as well as a garment bag made of ponyhair. As obscure as ponyhair may seem, it really does make simple articles look fabulous.

In our trouser department, relax fit is back. This should not be done, but every season we see extremes. My theory is if it feels too comfortable then you are not doing fashion right.

Marithé + François Girbaud Fall 2005 collection showed guys in low slung hip huggers and now for winter 2005 he is saying that loose is better.

Of course there are still your slim fit tapered trousers that are always staples with suits, but even suits are becoming baggier by Etro, Antonio Marras and Missoni.

Strikingly dark denim is a trademark this season for many as well. With this dark denim movement, the cuff is back in style with flashbacks of the 50s.

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Salvatore Ferragamo Menswear Fall 2005

Marithé + François Girbaud Menswear Fall 2005

Antonio Marras

Giorgio Armani