Style -- 2 days ago
The sartorial world is a moving target that never halts, and for all the boundary-breaking creations it’s gifted to the world, the fluctuation it brings – trends that seemingly move by the week; new patterns, materials and fits – can often cause a man to fluster when picking out the right items to wear. Which is why, more often than not, it pays to have a few reliable, time-honoured building blocks in the wardrobe.
The art of dressing, we largely find, is not in trying to make a bold, maximalist statement, but in procuring clothes and accessories that are stylish but also understated, straightforward yet imbued with plenty of minute details made to exacting standards, and are built to last. The idea, of course, is to have a considered selection of these essentials that can easily move between the seasons and years – and can also be mixed and matched with each other, a welcome notion especially when the early mornings can feel a little hazy.
So, below, we’ve dived into The Tailoring & Relaxed Dressing Collection at MR PORTER to curate an edit of items that’ll help make dressing a breeze this spring. Included is a contemporary take on a mac, a selection of items that can work for both off-duty and dressed-up moments, and, perhaps best of all, a pair of barely embellished sneakers that’ll have you stepping into the brighter days ahead.
Let’s start from the top. Though best-known for its fine, premium knits, Loro Piana also plays a deft hand in outerwear, and the label’s long coat is produced from a cotton that’s been given a wind- water- and stain-repelling treatment, ideal for the erratic British spring weather. The pointed collar and unadorned look gives it a formal, throwback slant, something that’s counterbalanced by the loose structure.
For occasions when something a touch dressier is required – post-work libations; gallery openings; the boardroom meeting in Milan – we like to fall back on this blazer, for its ability to hit a fine line between rigid tailoring and the easygoing. The peak lapels and double-breasted front provide the more ‘serious’ touches, meanwhile the soft cashmere construction and the undercollar made of felt soften it all out. The mushroom tone also offers a bit of an unconventional – yet versatile and light – touch.
The main draw here is the light-blue hue that mirrors clear skies. There’s also the ‘easy fit’ cut to admire, which loosens things up, but still retains a sleek silhouette, and the shorter-than-standard length sits beautifully over chinos and tailored shorts.
Spring, inevitably, will take a little bit of a turn for the worst when it comes to the weather, and, so, it’s always good to have something to give you a bit of a buffer when the breeze starts to kick in. Tom Ford’s pullover does the job nicely, as its cashmere make-up offers the right amount of padding without creating an internal sauna – the fact it has a seamless finish (the result of being knitted on circular looms) and is lightly brushed (maximising softness) are just added benefits.
When it comes to dressing below the waistline, and with streamlined style being the priority, one item that’s front of mind is this pair of trousers – perhaps the platonic ideal of its kind – which comes courtesy of Dries Van Noten. The straight leg provides a neutral, easy-to-pair-with quality, as does the black colourway, and even if the drawstring and stretch twill nod to something a bit more casual and slouchy, the design is still packed with Dries’s tailoring DNA, as is evidenced in the slightly draped lines. Pair with the above cotton shirt and some minimalist sneakers (more below) for the ultimate lazy – but considered – Sunday look.
Loafers, in certain circles, have been getting a bad rap, perhaps because of their upper-crust association with Ivy League campuses, or maybe it’s simply due to the modern-day rise of the athleisure trend that is at odds with this type of footwear. Whatever the reason may be, we’re still fans of the design, and the Jacques model gives the traditional blueprint a more robust, modern feel with its Vibram rubber-lug soles, a detail that goes well with other durable staples, such as selvedge denim. The burgundy injects a subtle bit of colour into the brighter days, too, and the fringed tassels offer some discreet detailing.
Though the race to create the ultimate wear-anywhere city sneaker is overcrowded today, Common Projects was one of the first to lead the charge – and it’s tough to deny that the brand did it the best. The white leather of which the uppers are made has a substantial feel and will last for years; the clean aesthetic – one that suits tailoring, linen casuals and lightweight knits in equal measure – is a splendid foundation to build upon; and the gold stamped serial number – the only detailing added – acts as a mark of great taste.
When May sunshine beams through, it’s always good to have some aviators and clubmasters on hand – those evergreen staples of the eyewear department, ones that are synonymous with style icons of the last century – but if you want to change things up just a touch, but not too dramatically, we’d nudge you towards this pair. The brown acetate isn’t as serious as a black-toned option, nor does it make as much of a showy statement as a bright-yellow pair, and the transparent look offers a playful feel.
Well, you’ll need to cart around your new purchases in something when you jet off this spring…
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