In the worst days of the current recession’s grip, many openly wondered how Thom Browne, the provocative designer known for his shrunken suits with ankle-baring pants and expensive runway theatrics (think circus tents and tennis court settings) could survive.His extreme look, not easy for most guys to pull off, and his extreme prices, including made-by-hand flannel suits costing more than $4,000, were bold even in giddier times when people spent freely and often foolishly on designer fashion. Amid a global economic downturn, those strokes seemed downright self-destructive.So there was more than the usual anticipation for Browne’s runway show Sunday afternoon. Had the recession chastened him? Judging by the presentation, held in his store in Tribeca, the answer is a defiant NO. Lenses of visor sunglasses decorated bucket hats — in some cases the hats were pulled over the model’s head with the lenses being implanted where holes were cut out so they could see. It was very disturbing deep-sea diver look. An editor from a fashion magazine laughed out loud at one point during the proceedings, and who could blame him. Heard on the Runway doesn’t think the designer would have minded, actually. After all, it’s Browne who seems to be getting the last laugh. While the shrunken look was derided at first, today it’s hard to find a menswear brand that doesn’t have a slightly shorter jacket with higher armholes or a more-fitted silhouette, even if it’s not as extreme as Browne’s. What at first seemed strange now has become commonplace.  WSJ.com

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