The Menswear edit

From eye-popping knits and 70s twists to an homage to Americana, menswear makes a defiant stand this season.

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After a tumultuous first half of the year, find out how designers are fighting back with a heady mix of expressionism, nostalgia and realism, and a colour palette that will give you reason to smile.

Calvin Klein

Fossil

Calvin Klein

Fossil

Get into the groove
Retro suits, polo necks and oversized knits? The 70s are back.

If you thought tailoring was the remit of the 9-to-5ers then think again because this season the suits are the creative bunch. Charcoal uniformity is out and 70s-inspired suiting is in, with retro cuts by Suit Direct being paired with multi-coloured knits and polo neck jumpers by Gap. Trousers ditch the tapered look in favour of wide flowy styles by Ted Baker and Sandro, while cardigans come slouchy and embellished with vibrant prints. The tie (remember that?) takes a back seat as geometric print polos by Lacoste gazump the old idea of ‘smart’. All hail the 70s!

Tommy Hilfiger

Gant

UGG

Tommy Hilfiger

Gant

UGG

Contemporary corduroy
Cord is making a comeback. And these are the key pieces to make pulling this look off, easy.

Once the predilection of geography teachers, corduroy is now well and truly a fashion fabric and we can get behind that. The super tactile cloth has been rejuvenated by the likes of Gant and M&S in tailoring, trousers and oversized outerwear, adding texture and depth to baggy silhouettes. At Ashford Designer Outlet, you’ll find stunning co-ord suits in rich autumnal hues by Reiss, but the real head-turners come via Carhartt and Timberland in the shape of funky cord outerwear. Sophistication is a tonal look of browns and beige, but be sure to break it up with a few pops of bright blue, orange or yellow hues.

Calvin Klein

UGG

Fossil

Calvin Klein

UGG

Fossil

Function, meet fashion

Take cues from utilitarian styling with protective layering, oversized fits and functional details.

If 2020 was the year we had to be ready for anything, then designers took note with a utilitarian trend that focused on functionality. Brands such as Calvin Klein and AllSaints took a protective approach with oversized padded layers, quilted outerwear, and more pockets that even the modern man could fill with personal gadgets. With coordinated commuter trousers by Tommy Hilfiger reinforcing the streetwear-inspired look, there’s nothing that this aesthetic isn’t ready for. Pair it with your favourite sneakers and sweatshirts and you’re good to go.

Gant

Dune London

Tommy Hilfiger

Gant

Dune London

Tommy Hilfiger

Welcome to the wild west
Channel your inner cowboy with denim jackets, chequered shirts and oversized silhouettes.

There’s comfort in nostalgia this season as designers from Hermes to DSquared2 took a trip to the midwest in a celebration of Americana. All the classic motifs are there: the shearling collars, oversized capes, Buffalo check, fringe details and Stetson hats, but it has all been rounded up with a modernist’s lasso, with some strong outerwear silhouettes by Levi and Diesel. The trick here is incorporating big layers and mixing up your textures, so think suede, leather, faux fur, corduroy and denim to achieve that rugged, outdoorsy look.