Here I am, back for instalment two of my manly clothing challenge. Today I’m going to look at a few trends to embrace – and a few faux-pas to avoid – before flagging up my first menswear shopping destination.

Pockets everywhere -- a top trend for Autumn/Winter

The not-so-fine line between fashion and faux-pas

I think it’s fair to say that some men tend to be a little more wary of fashion than they need to be. I’m not sure whether it’s a fear of looking foolish, or like they care too much, but I think a lot of men are – needlessly – genuinely afraid of trying something new (even when that something new is only marginally different to the something old they’ve been wearing since time immemorial).

I had occasion to shop with a man last week and I found myself in the all-too-familiar territory of ‘I don’t do stripes/orange/patterns/v-necks/[insert other]’… but honestly, what is fashion for if not a little fun?! Boys, it’s time to man up and try a little fashion with your function.

What to wear now

Let’s start with what not to wear – and this is a short list. Sure, there are a few things your average professional, non-fashion-addict male might want to avoid, namely Givenchy’s hot-pink vision of masculinity, or at the other end of the spectrum, Vivienne Westwood’s thug lovin’ look.

But these ensembles aren’t there for nothing – the trick is to take a nod from these runway looks (colour? tough metallic accessories?) and then work it into something, well, a little more wearable.

So without further ado, I’m going to set out a few trends I plan to hunt for when I hit up The Exchange (more on that later):

1. Pockets – they’re everywhere, and the more, the better (see above photo).

2. Satchels! According to the Spring shows, often a tasty preview of the A/W trends, messenger bags are out and underarm satchels are on their way back in. Could 2010 herald in the era of the murse? Time will tell… but either way, I won’t be sorry to see the back of the overworn, bum-slapping messenger bag trend (even if I do have a luscious Ed Hardy number in my cupboard).

3. Military detailing – good for the boys as well as the girls.

4. The scarf – an autumn must.

Where to shop now (ok, soon)

Now that I know what I’m looking for, it’s time to hit the shops. My first destination is so hot it isn’t even fully open yet: The Exchange at 72 Gloucester Road.

The Exchange is a secondhand clothing store that specialises in high-end, highly stylish fare. This new branch opened two weeks ago, but its menswear section won’t be open until the store’s grand opening on 5 November.

Earlier today I spoke with Maria, one of the fashionistas behind this venture, about what shoppers can expect to find in the menswear section of The Exchange. She tells me they anticipate stocking everything from casual wear to suits and outerwear, and plan to feature casual and couture brands including D&G, Gucci, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent and Seven For All Mankind.

The Exchange buys secondhand clothing, provided that clothing is in good condition (either brand-new or hardly worn) and is no more than three seasons old. Maria makes it clear that high-end is a must: designer and boutique labels only – nothing from the high street, please.

Clothing is priced at about one-third of the original price, which means you can expect to find current, cared-for couture for up to 75% off. This means it should fit an Oola Moola budget perfectly.

Now, to amble over to The Exchange on the 6^th or 7^th and see what’s shaking on the shop floor…

The Exchange

72 Gloucester Road, SW7 4QT

020 7376 7277

Monday-Saturday 11-7; Sunday 12-5