Credit crunch was the last thing on the mind of those at this month's flamboyant displays of menswear. Charlie Porter reports on the shocks

For years, beards were shorthand for sandal-wearing hippies of a certain age. But no more! It's time to throw away your razor, writes hairy-chinned Charlie Porter.

The Christmas party is upon us. So is it time for men to dig out that loud shirt? Most definitely, says Patrick Barkham. Just don't do it, argues Charlie Porter.

Charlie Porter: Two men cycle out of the block and they nod hello because they think I'm staring at them, but I'm not. I'm staring at their hats.

Charlie Porter: As we drift away from fantasy-land I'll try to make the UK options not sound like shade to all that light.

Charlie porter: Since the weather broke, I've been constant in my choice of outfit.None of the items are new but dredged up from the bottom of piles in that satisfying period of rediscovery whenever seasons change.

Charlie Porter: The main point is that nothing being worn now should be referential, historical, or backdated. Newness is all.

Charlie Porter: Here is the list of some of the best fashion and art on the web.

Charlie Porter: A ringing endorsement! Maybe all fashion hyperbole should be banned for a week in place of 'alright', 'fine' and 'quite nice'.

Charlie Porter: It started with beef, and ended with insight. A few weeks ago I passed on some shorts advice from a reader called Andrew. I didn't mention that his suggestion had been couched in insult, ie, as a fashion expert, I'd got little fashion sense.

Charlie Porter: Just quit from the last show of the spring/summer 07 collections, but it didn't feel like the season was over.

Charlie Porter: Fashion can make you really petty. In fact, it's most fun when there's a fight. And these spring/summer 07 menswear shows are stoking the battle.

Charlie Porter: Unlined clothing seems to be turning into a quiet obsession.

Charlie Porter: More, more, more shorts. Andrew from London recommends Bamford & Sons for our shorts-desiring civil servant of a few weeks ago.

Charlie Porter: It's so important for young designers to make things happen for themselves.

Charlie Porter: The jeans of the year are clearly made by Cheap Monday, a Swedish brand that has infiltrated the UK these past few months.

Charlie Porter: Going back over the autumn/winter collections, so many designers sent out white shirts with no tie, buttoned to the neck.

It's that time of the year when you can wear shorts in the office. But which size and style would be ideal. Charlie Porter on the options men have this season.

Charlie Porter: At the spring/summer 06 collections, shown nearly a year ago, tailored shorts were a nice idea, but seemed remote to reality. Yet now summer is here, well-made shorts seem a clear choice.

Charlie Porter: Many current menswear looks - the Dior Homme rock-kid thing, the non-square cardigan wearer - might end up being decade-defining. But they are also at their tail's end. Move on.