Fall/Winter 2005 mens Ready-to-Wear collections were made for a trip to Antarctica. Think part caveman, part metrosexual. If Brad Pitt's character in Fight Club were to climb Everest, this is what he'd wear.

Take John Galliano's show - his coats were made for arctic conditions. The coats look like giant untreated pelts of fur draped and belted across the body and worn with furry, even dirty looking boots. The dirt on the models faces tried to recreate that authentic look of an explorer at the end of a monthlong journey without a bath. I'm sure Shackleton did not feel attractive at this moment in his exploration but then again, fashionistas have a much more romantic take on trekking across an icy plain than a hard-core adventurer would. Galliano's huge mohair coats of frazzled textures and patterns worn with massive ski boots could have you mistaken for a bear if worn in the woods. One particularly wild shearling coat was tattooed with flowers and worn with a headdress. It looked warm enough for the Arctic and the perfect coat for a monk crossing the border from Tibet to India.

So if the arctic caveman is one look for the upcoming winter, another was space age. Imagine Dr. Zhivago meets Space Odyssey and that's what Alexander McQueen showed. One all white spacesuit style snowsuit had a fur collar - the only thing to distinguish you from the snow and ice in case a search party needed to find you if lost while chasing penguins on the South Pole. McQueen's hooded parka would easily double as a sleeping bag although the linen sheet lining is not included!

If you want to be the first explorer/fashion victim to reach the South Pole in designer clothes, then definitely pack one of the great-looking Gucci furs - destined to become classics. In black and brown astrakha, Gucci's oversized, old-fashioned coats are of such sumptuous simplicity, you could easily see wearing them forever. Take this coat to the Arctic and you will truly feel part of the purity and romance of the vast landscape.

Finally, narcissists will love the big luxurious fur vest and hat from Valentino. You'll need to wear the vest under the silk parka trimmed in black beaver (I doubt the silk is lined with Gortex!). Nonetheless, you could always layer Valentino - a camel cashmere turtleneck with brown suede trousers under an alpaca coat? The penguins will be restless!

P.S. There is a sale at Ritz Furs this week (new, pre-owned, vintage furs..for up to 75% off)...107 w. 57th, NY. 212 265 4559.

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