Buzz From Milan

Hey, guys, pitch those power suits. Come fall, minimalistic togs will be the thing to wear to work. At least that’s the buzz from Milan, where designers are showing off the future and reporters are filing stories in that almost-foreign language we’ll just call “fashionese.”

Herewith are excerpts from a recent issue of DNR, a Fairchild menswear publication, that featured the looks--and lingo--of the fashion dictators. It’s enough to, well, toggle the mind:

Chunky, Rubberized

* Jil Sander: “For fall, Sander’s thin man will wear chunky wool sweaters with a dry, slightly rubberized feel.”

Poor But Not

* Dolce & Gabbana: “For next fall, think ‘Down and Out in Beverly Hills.’ It’s about looking poor but not being broke, with a collection [Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana] say is inspired by the guys who try to squeegee your windshield at stoplights.”

Intellectual Rocked

* Versace: “Donatella Versace loves men. But her ubermale--unlike the swaggering stud her brother liked to dress--is an intellectual. He likes rock ‘n’ roll, but he also likes art. He’s a man in touch with his feminine side; he’s a man who would wear pastels.”

Tailored

* Valentino: “The look was tailored without being too businesslike. The leathers in particular were rich and modern. However, there were some hints of the old Valentino, mainly present in the huge, apron-like cummerbunds and wrinkly parkas.”

Softly Draped

* Emporio Armani: “The Emporio man gets the Armani look in a younger version. . . . There were sturdy, felted wool suits and softly draped ones as well, both with a natural shoulder in signature earth shades.”

Moleskin

* Romeo Gigli: “Jackets are fuller in wool, cotton moleskin, velvet or lustrous mohair. Gigli still likes his pants skinny all the way down ending in a deep cuff.”

Velcro Closure

* Cerruti: “There are plenty of modern twists from Cerruti for fall, including Velcro closures on everything from leather bomber jackets to sport coats and cargo pants in loden green wool.”