MEN IN STYLE: 2006 Men's wear Fashion Forecast

"Clothes do make the man." This the fashion philosophy that influences stylish men of today. Making a statement is not just limited to women, nowadays men share a greater market among lifestyle products including fashion, health and wellness goods and even cosmetics for that matter. Male vanity is definitely in, and fashion designers have a reason to celebrate. Young professionals, stylish metrosexuals, make up the majority of clientele fashion houses cater to. Season after season, the numbers are growing.

For 2006, designers are going back to the classics, comfortable and versatile lines vary with ones individual style. Philip Rodriguez, Protacio Empaces, Ray Kuan share their fashion forecast for the coming year and also reveal their most stylish men.

Here's a look at how men's wear unfold for yet another fashionable season:

Philip Rodriguez takes tuxedo dressing to a more casual approach for men. Embroidered and pleated shirts with rolled up sleeves for a more relaxed mood. Philip considers top male model Robby Mananquil as one of the most stylish men. Whether in and out of the runway, Robby's character stands out. Philip's nephew Paolo Rodriguez is also one stylish young man. He has the fashionable genes of the family, I should say.

Protacio Empaces knows how men feel when dressing up. He revives the classic suit with a twist. Pinstriped ensemble with color contrast combination shirt and tie for evening wear. For day, his tuxedo shirts are tucked underneath a more casual cardigan. Protacio commends male model heartthrob Joe Vince Cañizares as his man of style. "When fedoras came into fashion, I made sure I had one" Protacio says. "But whenever I made attempts to wear it, I always end up leaving my place without it. Then I saw Vince wearing the hat in one party, and it fitted perfectly on him. Not everyone can get away with it, but Joe Vince definitely did."

Ray Kuan looks forward to men's fashion with the coming of the prom and graduation season. With an avante garde approach to style, he suggests a new look for men this 2006. Suits are cut like a short bolero, revealing the colored shirt exposed. His classic suit is complimented with a dressy hat. He can picture his man of style - Borgy Manotoc - wearing one. Borgy's fashionista attitude appeals to this designer. Borgy's sense of style is an image of class with an edge.

ALAZAS ATELIER - This 2006, I want to play with style in a young and modern "juxtaposition", of sorts. Fabrics and textures, prints and colors clash in a harmonious mix. The classic men's suit is much shorter, worn over a double-collared shirt matched with a hanky necktie. Taffy silk tops over suede pants for evening. Men shirts in cotton and linen pieced together in colorful print on print combination. Casually paired with customized denim pants, that creates a more personal style.

Matinee idol Matteo Guidicelli tops my stylish young men of the moment. His man-child persona appeals to my younger customized line ALIAZ. His sporty and trendy lifestyle is evident just about anytime and anywhere. Whether he is in a carting race, or just clubbing in the hippest hubs in town, everyone takes a second look at him, just like Joe Vince Cañizares. You can't get enough of them. Not to mention the good-looking guys they hang around with.

Men's fashion for 2006 is all geared up, threading the classics with that modern twist. Visit these designers and check out what style suits you best. Whether you're young, or just young at heart, there's always a style that fits well with your fashionable lifestyle.