20 style essentials we want right now

From cable knit sweaters to suede leather derby shoes, these are the top 20 style essentials we want right now...

It’s a sad fact of life that the word ‘essential’ is often confused with the dull and menial. Take household essentials, for example; that phrase presumably fills your mind with excruciatingly boring shopping lists or any number of mundane chores you’ve been putting off for months.

But when it comes to style, the word ‘essential’ takes on a whole new meaning. A style essential is a joy to behold, and a glorious thing to buy. Style essentials save your wardrobe, and provide endless inspiration when you can’t think what to wear. Struggling to work out what to pair with your new jeans? Style it out with a plain white t-shirt. Looking to while away those summer evenings as the autumnal nip appears in the air? A beige cable knit sweater should be just the thing.

A style essential is the crowning glory of your wardrobe; it holds your ensemble together better than any safety pin ever could. And so we at Gentleman’s Journal have put together a list of the style essentials we want right now; and before you know it, you’ll want them, too.

Thom Sweeney Bomber Jacket

A butterscotch bomber jacket truly sounds like the stuff of heaven; and where Thom Sweeney’s iteration is concerned, it’s not far off. It’s tailored from soft suede, and sports a Loro Piana wool and cashmere blend jersey lining. With its classic button-through front, it’s ideal for throwing on as summer draws to a close, and the temperature starts to (very slightly) drop.

Thom Sweeney Bomber Jacket

Thom Sweeney Bomber Jacket

£1995.00

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SIRPLUS Nehru Waistcoat

It’s lightweight; it has a textured herringbone pattern; it boasts an elegantly slim Mandarin collar, and it’s finished with real mother of pearl buttons. What more could you look for in a waistcoat? Whether you’re dashing off to your final wedding of the summer season or simply looking for the perfect smart casual addition to your existing ensemble: this is the waistcoat for you.

SIRPLUS Nehru Waistcoat

SIRPLUS Nehru Waistcoat

£195.00

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Tod’s Desert Boots

Desert boots have truly earned their place, time and again, in the ‘style essentials’ hall of fame; and this classic pair, courtesy of Tod’s, is just the pair to see you crunching your way through those autumn leaves in true suede style.

Tod's Desert Boots

Tod's Desert Boots

£420.00

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Emma Willis Cotton Shirt

Crafted from the finest Egyptian cotton, this is a shirt that’s guaranteed to brighten up your wardrobe, and serve as a practical guide to your many and varied shirting needs. It was hand cut using single needle stitching; and those Swiss stripes are sure to see you turning heads left, right and centre (in the best possible way).

Emma Willis Cotton Shirt

Emma Willis Cotton Shirt

£240.00

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Crockett & Jones Hardwick Derby Shoe

If there was ever a shoe to epitomise these early, burgeoning days of autumn, it would be the Hardwick. Its dark brown hue is the perfect shade to accompany you as you head out of the house, surrounded by leaves that are rapidly turning golden; and the suede leather is the last word in sophisticated style.

Crockett & Jones Hardwick Derby Shoe

Crockett & Jones Hardwick Derby Shoe

£390.00

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New & Lingwood Safari Jacket

The British brand’s safari jacket was an instant hit; and this iteration is guaranteed to soar to popular fame in the same manner as its predecessor. With its cotton and linen blend, it’s the ideal go-to for this tricky time of year (will I be sweating with a coat? Will I be too cold without one? You know the feeling).

New & Lingwood Safari Jacket

New & Lingwood Safari Jacket

£495.00

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Aurélien Beige Sweater

Can’t work out if it’s too warm or too cold? Let Aurélien work it out for you; with its silky, sheeny cashwool material, this beige sweater will have you sorted for any manner of climates — so you can flaunt those mother of pearl buttons on a sunny summer afternoon, or on a chilly autumnal morning.

Aurélien Beige Sweater

Aurélien Beige Sweater

£124.00

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Oliver Spencer Brook Shirt

A classic button-down shirt, the Brook is inspired by military shirts of the last century. These days, it’s the last word in the ultimate casual wear; one crafted from cotton corduroy and sporting a deep khaki hue — which means you’ll fit right in as those autumnal colours set in.

Oliver Spencer Brook Shirt

Oliver Spencer Brook Shirt

£119.00

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Luca Faloni Cable Knit Sweater

Summer’s not over just yet, gents; but we will acknowledge that it’s getting somewhat chillier (not that it’s been a particularly warm summer, anyway). Luca Faloni has you kitted out for these cooler summer evenings with its beige cable knit sweater, so there’s no need to huddle round the firepit; this two-ply cashmere will keep you toasty warm.

Luca Faloni Cable Knit Sweater

Luca Faloni Cable Knit Sweater

£245.00

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Hemingsworth Navy Brushed Twill Trousers

Back to work after the summer of a lifetime? We sympathise; but Hemingsworth’s light, breathable trousers will make that ‘back to school’ feeling infinitely more bearable. They’re just the thing for the workplace, and their slim tailoring ensures you’ll be the epitome of elegance from the moment you walk through the office door.

Hemingsworth Navy Brushed Twill Trousers

Hemingsworth Navy Brushed Twill Trousers

£240.00

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Percival Corduroy Jacket

Acting as the perfect bridge between balmy summer nights and chillier autumnal mornings, Percival’s signature jacket (a modern take on a distinctly retro look) is the jacket you’ll want to see you through the upcoming seasonal change.

Percival Corduroy Jacket

Percival Corduroy Jacket

£159.00

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Puma Suede Crepe Trainers

A staple design from this renowned brand, these trainers are the trainers you need to see you bouncing into autumn. Boasting a certain sort of retro charm, they appear (as you’d expect) with an exquisitely soft suede coating on the upper; and the sidewall perforations will keep them aired to perfection.

Puma Suede Crepe Trainers

Puma Suede Crepe Trainers

£95.00

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Ralph Lauren Long-Sleeve Polo

982 individual stitches is a lot of stitches; but that’s Ralph Lauren for you. These guys don’t do things by halves, and they don’t skimp on the detail. The result? An exquisitely soft, slim-fit polo (with handy long sleeves, meaning you’ll be able to enjoy the summer evenings for longer). The renowned brand’s polo shirt has been a worldwide style icon since 1972; and from the looks of it, it just keeps getting better.

Ralph Lauren Long-Sleeve Polo

Ralph Lauren Long-Sleeve Polo

£99.00

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Connolly Crew Neck

It’s physically impossible to wear this crew neck sweater and look anything less than effortlessly, enviably elegant. That may be due to the ribbed hem and cuffs, which create a sleekly slim-fitting shape; or it may be down to the superfine merino wool, or the chic charcoal shade. Regardless: it’s a style essential that’ll increase your stylish credibility to the last degree.

Connolly Crew Neck

Connolly Crew Neck

£290.00

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Awling Braided Belt

Have you ever owned a piece of Italian vegetable tanned full-grain leather? If not, this is your moment: Awling’s pitch black braided belt is handmade in England, and features a hand-finished solid pewter buckle — so in short, it’s a belt guaranteed to make all other belts jealous.

Awling Braided Belt

Awling Braided Belt

£130.00

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Turnbull & Asser Weekend Fit Shirt

A classic mid-blue shirt is a style essential if ever there was one; and Turnbull & Asser’s chambray button-down weekend fit shirt is — as you’ve no doubt guessed — the perfect accompaniment to your weekend wardrobe.

Turnbull & Asser Weekend Fit Shirt

Turnbull & Asser Weekend Fit Shirt

£250.00

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Sunspel Classic Cotton T-Shirt

Put simply, It’s an icon encapsulated in a t-shirt. The Sunspel t-shirt has been refined to the ultimate perfection ever since the 1900s; cut to today, and we have the lightweight, classic fit that we all know and love today. It’s the answer to your uncertain style prayers — with a classic white t-shirt, you can never go too far wrong. (Within reason, of course. But we’ll let you go with your gut on that one.)

Sunspel Classic Cotton T-Shirt

Sunspel Classic Cotton T-Shirt

£75.00

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Mr Marvis The Gazettes Long

Whatever the season, whatever the weather, whatever the surroundings: a pair of beige stretch cotton trousers will only ever be a beneficial addition to your wardrobe. The neutral beige hue makes them suitable for any time of year — seasonality won’t affect whether or not you can whip these trousers out — and the combination of a slim fit and stretch fabric mean you’ll be winning on both the style and the comfort front. And who could say fairer than that?

Mr Marvis The Gazettes Long

Mr Marvis The Gazettes Long

£109.00

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Artknit Eco Cashmere Sweater

We love a bit of sustainability (or, indeed, a lot of sustainability), here at Gentleman’s Journal; and if you’re anything like us, you’ll fall head over heels for Artknit’s eco-sustainable sweater, crafted from only natural fibres. The brand has long been a close friend of the planet; and this delectably soft cashmere sweater is as stylish as they come.

Artknit Eco Cashmere Sweater

Artknit Eco Cashmere Sweater

£153.00

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Charles Laurie London Card Case

When considering style essentials, it’s easy to fall into the trap of forgetting about accessories. But we’d certainly never let you forget such an important style fundamental; and neither will Charles Laurie London. Its card case is a style essential for any gentleman, and it can even be personalised with up to four embossed initials. Plus, its tan hue is just the thing to see you striding into autumn; credit card at the ready and style credentials well and truly intact.

Charles Laurie London Card Case

Charles Laurie London Card Case

£95.00

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Are you wondering what else is on our wish list? Here are 5 vintage watches we want right now

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