#and are now a seasonless wardrobe staple. Yet

[anatomieblogs]

6 Fall Fashion Trends to Keep on Your Travel Wardrobe Radar

Summer is over, and it's time to refresh your luxury travel wardrobe for fall. Autumn's crisp temperatures call for cozy accessories (think boots and scarves), rich colors and textures, and layering! Oh, what a difference a good safari jacket makes for an already amazing outfit! Draw inspiration from these six fall fashion trends below to upgrade your travel clothing collection and get ready to wander the world in style.

Prep Is Back In the age of stealth wealth and quiet luxury, it's only natural that prep and its classic stylings would come back into fashion. Some argue it never left. Sportswear and the accompanying activities are especially popular, as are tailored tweeds, classic cable knit sweaters, and timeless pieces like loafers. Now is the perfect time to stock up on a tailored skinny cargo pant and white button-up shirts. Look for classic details that provide a structured, form-fitting silhouette. Prep is about finding classic, seasonless pieces that fit like a glove, giving you a polished, put-together look. Dark and Dramatic Moody fashion is in for autumn, so don't be afraid to tap into the dark side of your closet. Opt for high-contrast palettes like rich black travel pants and a crisp white button-up shirt with feminine Mary Janes. Try a pair of black skinny cargo pants in a snake print, a black puffer jacket, and combat boots for an edgier look. Radiant Red One trend that took over the spring and summer was Barbiecore. Bright pink made a big comeback, and while it's not on the way out, it will likely shift to red for fall. Deep red, burgundy, and maroon shades have always held a place in fall fashion, but you may opt for a lighter and brighter red this year. This doesn't mean you must dress in all red, but incorporate pops of color into your wardrobe, like a red safari jacket or travel pants. Nice and Neutral For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, which applies to fashion, too. While Barbiecore brought us hot pink for summer and red is in for fall, so are neutrals. Embrace the latest wearable neutrals for fall, including chocolates and creams, greys, dark greens, and classic black and white. The best part about neutrals is they go with everything and provide endless mixing and matching for countless outfit combinations. Investing in neutral pants for travel in navy, beige, and black will ensure you never run out of things to wear, whether you're traveling, working, or running errands. Flourishing Fashion While florals for spring are common, they also work perfectly for fall. While there may not be any blooming flowers for a few months, your wardrobe can blossom into something special. Artistic florals include floral embroidery in a subdued color palette and bright floral prints and patterns. Much like the red-hot trend, this doesn't mean you have to grow your entire wardrobe from the garden, but incorporating a couple of petal pieces, like a vest or blouse, is a fun way to spruce up your daily look. Office Space Even if you don't have an office job, you might like to dress like you do. This fall's mood is workplace wardrobe staples like blazers, button-up shirts, and crisply tailored travel pants. Keep your style even sharper by adding pinstriped pencil skirts and tailored pieces that nip at the waist and elongate your silhouette. This borrowed-from-the-boardroom style is a bonus if you work in an office and need some business wardrobe inspiration. About Anatomie Anatamie knows travel clothing. Established by Kate and Shawn Boyer in 2006, this luxury travel clothing brand fuses stylish European sensibility with impeccable tailoring, performance, and comfort. All of Anatomie’s apparel is perfect for travel work and daily life, from their skinny cargo pants to safari jackets. Anatomie pieces are crafted from their signature lightweight performance material that won’t fade, shrink, or wrinkle—and best yet, no ironing or dry cleaning is required! Each piece is backed by a lifetime guarantee, so you can confidently wear Anatomie on any and every adventure. Step off the jet looking polished and put together with stylish, luxury travel apparel designed for adventure seekers and savvy travelers who expect the best from their travel wardrobe. Refresh your travel wardrobe with the latest fall fashions from Anatomie, available at https://anatomie.com/ Original Source: https://bit.ly/45cnjvc

[gothify1]

With spring just around the corner, I have my eye on items for the season ahead. I’m drawn to pieces that look effortless and chic while being timeless enough to fit into my wardrobe for years ahead, but will still hit on the biggest trends for the months to come . Yes, it can be hard to strike just the right balance between seasonless pieces and trend-forward items, but here I’m narrowing in on the wearable fashion finds that sit in the middle of that Venn diagram. So, what landed on my edit of pieces to buy for spring 2020 ? From basics that are anything but basic to the cool woven accessories that are about to take over the street style scene to the jeans every fashion insider is wearing now, and more, these are the 10 coolest trends to buy for spring that you can order from Nordstrom. Go on to shop my edit of the best buys to add to your shopping cart. I'm very into the sleeveless, padded tees that are everywhere right now. Suiting is constantly being reworked—like this sculptural sleeve version. Cutouts are trending at the F/W 2020 runways, so you know this is a sound investment. Hold on, I need these shoes immediately. I just can't decide whether to buy them in black or white. We can credit Bottega Veneta for putting this trend on the map. This is actually faux leather, but you'd never be able to tell. Currently at the top of my shopping list: a chic leather blazer. This leather trench is the ultimate investment piece. Upgrade your leather pants with a trouser cut. Chain jewelry is one of the biggest trends for 2020. Laura Lombardi is one of my favorite designers for jewelry at a great price point. Already imagining so many outfits to wear with this piece. I personally own these and wear them at least three times a week. Trust me when I say these are the best jeans to add to your closet. Another great wide-leg silhouette. Just add a tee and a blazer. I just ordered these so you'll be seeing me wear them on repeat very soon. I own these and wear them more than any other sneakers in my closet. A Parisian style staple. I don't own a sweatsuit from Entireworld, yet, but I need one to wear for my next travel outfit. Haven't you heard? Sweatpants are replacing leggings. I'm not usually a hat person, but I just ordered a baseball hat so this trend officially has me changed. Very '90s Princess Diana. So chic. I own these in brown and have rave reviews. My styling tip? Wear these with trousers tucked into them. Swap this out for a denim jacket. These also come in black. I love the pocket details. Trench coats are getting reinvented for spring—here's a cool version to buy now. Next, discover 9 emerging brands that will define street style this month .

[ladystylestores]

Totême’s Founders Talk Physical Retail, and the Joy of Slowing Down – WWD

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LONDON �� Swedish label Totême has been forging ahead with growth, opening a shop-in-shop earlier this month and readying a number of accessories launches, including handbags and sunglasses, for later this year.

While the founders of Totême weren’t planning for a crisis like COVID-19, their slow-fashion strategy and timeless approach have buoyed the company in hard times.

Like any other business, Totême had to face the impact of the pandemic and was one of the first fashion labels to close its store in Stockholm, yet its healthy direct-to-consumer business and detachment from the fashion week calendar meant that it could stay afloat and keep moving forward with its plans.

Totême started as a digitally native brand driven by one of fashion’s most popular online personalities, Elin Kling, and the former art director Karl Lindman.

Kling, one of blogging’s biggest pioneers, has never chosen the easy or conventional route. When founding Totême more than six years ago, she shut down her own social media accounts, and instead of using her personal following to build buzz, she took a step back from the limelight and turned her time and attention to the fledgling label.

Totême’s San Remo scarf.  Courtesy Photo

Totême grew a loyal community of its own, attracting stylish minimalists across the globe who turn to the brand for its quality and timeless approach.

This community came together through word-of-mouth as much as it did on Instagram — and its flair for discretion and a slower approach to growth has helped the brand to maintain its relevance, irrespective of market trends.

Despite the duo’s digital know-how, the duo chose to also embrace some old-school values from the get-go — namely seasonless, slow fashion and offline engagement. They are now reaping the benefits: This month, the label opened a new shop-in-shop in Stockholm’s Nordiska Kompaniet department store, an institution in the Swedish capital.

Totême’s store inside the Nordiska Kompaniet department store in Stockholm.  Courtesy of Erik Undehn

The Nordiska Kompaniet opening presented an opportunity to keep experimenting with physical retail, following the brand’s successful flagship opening in Stockholm last year — and to inject a dose of its modernist vision into the historic store.

“It’s about bringing new vision to an old structure. We strongly believe that a brand like Totême can renew and create this value for iconic department stores, in this case Nordiska Kompaniet,” said Kling.

Lindman added that physical spaces act as a storytelling tool for the brand, to be enjoyed both by customers who visit the stores in person in Stockholm but also online by those looking at images of the quintessentially Scandinavian interior design for inspiration.

“We want to use physical spaces to communicate our aesthetic and brand values — we almost look at them as embassies rather than retail stores. As an experiment, we started with our first flagship store and that’s been a great project for us, because as much as it is physical in the sense that the customer could go in and look at our [collections] and aesthetic, it can also be translated to online stories or images. Even if you’ve never been to our flagship store, the space offers a way for us to communicate with you,” added Lindman.

In the case of the new space in Nordiska Komapniet, Lindman and Kling wanted to create a graphic, luxurious environment symbolic of the brand’s aesthetic.

Totême’s shop inside the Nordiska Kompaniet department store in Stockholm.  Courtesy of Erik Undehn

They partnered with the Swedish design studio Halleroed to create a space inspired by the Vienna Secession movement, that was the initial inspiration for the Totême monogram and also reflects the department store’s original branding.

“It was a challenge to build a store within a store, as it required a different rule box. We didn’t want to create the same home environment that we had built in our flagship store, but rather focus on certain values of the Vienna Secession movement and build a creative, pure environment that’s all about the details,” said Lindman, adding that physical retail will remain a priority for the brand.

“We’re quite small, but we have very dedicated followings around the world. Our goal is to engage with those communities and bring people together. One way of approaching that is building these physical embassies where people can meet us, experience our values and aesthetic vision, as a counterpart to the online business.”

Kling and Lindman are also readying a number of accessories launches, including handbags and sunglasses, for later this year.

“We’d like to offer a 360-degree solution to our customer. Since we’re talking about style, it’s impossible to dress a woman without thinking about her shoes or bag, where she goes out, what flowers she likes, and so on,” said Lindman. “We’re defining who she is and what she’s wearing step by step, then filter that down into products.”

But just like their highly successful footwear debut last year, the duo is keen on keeping it slow and highly edited with a single new style launching every second month on its own channels.

Mules by Totême.  Courtesy Photo

“I have more shoes than I have bags and that’s also the way we will be selling [the category]. We’re launching with one bag only, then the second one will drop a couple of months later, and that will be a different category within the bag range,” said Klin, adding that the utility is top of mind when it comes to making design decisions.

Her instinct has always been about looking at her own wardrobe and round-the-clock needs, be it a weekend with her children at the park or an evening cocktail event. From there the brand has made it its mission to create modern staples that respond to each occasion or need.

That’s why Totême loyalists are encouraged to buy into the brand with a longterm view, and each collection is designed to build on the previous ones, with items often coming back with small refinements or new color variations.

“It’s less about inspiration from a certain trip and it’s definitely all about a need for women’s modern-day lifestyle,” she added. “We’re thinking about dressing for an occasion, what we need [for that occasion] and how can we create new icons, new classics around that lifestyle. An icon to us is that item that lasts season after season, but can still have a modern outlook and be relevant today. How does a cable knit look like today? How do I make it feel modern but not too trendy? We’re not looking for trends, we’re looking for trans-seasonal style that lives for a long time. That’s where we score.”

Totême’s Avignon leather jacket.  Courtesy Photo

It’s an approach that resonates even deeper today, that consumers are reassessing their shopping habits and the industry is forced to slow down and grapple with the giant waste issues its relentless pace and thirst for newness has been generating.

“This new mentality that is dawning is very much aligned with our philosophy from the beginning. It’s less about new seasons, but twisting and reinventing the classics,” said Lindman. “Through this crisis, we’ve learnt that we can be even more specific, even more edited and focused on every single product. To us, that’s very sustainable: Having a point of view and an aesthetic approach, rather than trying to be everything for everyone.”

That’s why the duo have also chosen to keep their expansion into accessories limited to their own channels and a few see-now-buy-now products a year.

“I’m not looking to create five different pairs of Chelsea boots. We already have so many choices to make in our daily lives. I want to create the perfect Chelsea boot for me — and that’s enough. Then it’s up to the customer if she likes it or not, but at least she’ll know that for Toteme this is the perfect solution,” added Klin.

Totême’s store inside the Nordiska Kompaniet department store in Stockholm.  Courtesy of Erik Undehn

The company, which appointed former McKinsey executive Johanna Anderson as its new chief executive officer last January, has also been strengthening its direct-to-consumer business. E-commerce makes up 40 percent of its business and remains on track to grow to 50 percent by the end of the year.

“We still want to continue developing this collaboration with luxury [wholesale] partners which can carry our message. That’s why we’ve had four collections a year [to date] but we’re excited and interested in current discussions post-COVID-19 about slowing down the industry,” added Lindman.

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[fashiontrendin-blog]

9 Summer Pieces You Can Still Wear In Autumn

http://fashion-trendin.com/9-summer-pieces-you-can-still-wear-in-autumn-2/

9 Summer Pieces You Can Still Wear In Autumn

New season, new wardrobe. Right? Well, not necessarily. With some of fashion’s most influential players conceding the industry’s pace is out of whack, the idea that what you wore last season is redundant now, isn’t just outdated, but irresponsible, too.

Plus, climate change is re-writing the rulebook anyway: September and October might’ve called for toasty overcoats 10 years ago, but in 2018 there are some days when it’s still almost T-shirt weather.

“Layering is the key,” explains Toby Lamb, design director of Savile Row tailor and British menswear brand Richard James. “There are four layers, essentially: the base layer, which consists of long- and short-sleeved T-shirts. The second, which includes shirts and light-gauge knitwear. The third is tailored jackets, denim jackets and blousons. And lastly, the top layer is the heaviest, so that’s pea coats, overcoats and double-breasted greatcoats.”

Winter will always mean shearling instead of shorts, it’s true, but that’s not to say your entire wardrobe needs to do a 180. To help you navigate the shifting seasons without spending a fortune on new pieces you don’t need, here are a selection of summer garments you can wear year-round. Don’t pack them away just yet.

T-Shirts

The idea that all fashion is seasonal is the biggest scam since the Nigerian banking sector got email. Just look at T-shirts: despite being intrinsically linked with the warmer months (and therefore often the first into storage when days get shorter), the barely-there material can still be worn when it gets frosty if you think of them as a base layer.

In addition to adding ballast to help fight off the cold, T-shirts give an otherwise staid outfit a burst of colour. “Use them as an accent,” suggests Lamb. “With a neutral crew neck sweatshirt, it’s nice to see a thin sliver of colour from a brightly coloured T-shirt poking out from the neck or hem.”

The key to making this look work is by using high contrast colour combinations, so a bright red tee under a rust-coloured coat, for example, or a yellow design to liven up a navy shirt.

Polo Shirt

Summer’s smart-casual staple looks every bit as sharp even after the season is over. Lightweight, breathable and not as airily thin as a T-shirt, a polo shirt (especially one cut from cotton piqué) is a top seed player in your transitional line-up.

The only thing that needs changing is the placement. Where in the summer a polo might sit front and centre, its role is more supporting once the mercury begins to drop.

While it’s still relatively warm, try a short-sleeved style under a lightweight jacket (such as a shacket, mac or duster), then switch to a longer-sleeved version under a blazer for a late-autumn look that proves you’ve got a handle on menswear’s trickier moves.

“Just opt for a jacket made in a fabric with texture,” says Lamb. “Polos don’t look as good with fabrics in a flat finish such worsteds or mohairs, which are more businesslike.”

Cropped Trousers

Just because mankles are given the cold shoulder at this time of year, it doesn’t mean your hemlines have to follow suit. “A pair of cropped trousers, or a regular pinrolled pair, is a perfectly acceptable style move to pull come the colder months – provided you wear them with socks,” says Chris Gove, creative director of British menswear brand Percival.

There’s something about that combination of autumn’s low light and gooseflesh that makes us feel positively bilious. So please, stop it – put on some socks. Any socks.

A few years ago only smart socks (the kind you wear with office slacks) would’ve cut it, but now sportswear rules, which means the tube socks you save for the gym are perfectly acceptable, too.

Denim Jacket

If street style has taught us anything, it’s that a denim jacket isn’t just an outer layer – it’s a bona-fide wardrobe workhorse. Sure, you can throw it on over a T-shirt or shirt, but a denim jacket is so much more: it’s the mid-layer that offers a textural contrast or the extra outer layer that dials up the heat.

If you’ve been wearing a trucker during summer, chances are it’s thin enough to slot between layers. Try wearing it over a hoodie or roll neck, or under a blazer or overcoat to nail that high-low contrast.

Just remember to keep colour coordination in mind: a classic blue jean jacket pops against black and camel outerwear, but a black one won’t.

Baseball Cap

“A baseball cap?” you say. “As in the thing I wear to keep the sun off my face? As in the thing I wear to a Yankees game?” Yes, yes and, well, no.

It is now possible to mix and match not only your summer and winter clothes (within reason), but also sportswear and workwear. However, this rule only applies if your hat meets a certain criteria.

“Baseball caps work best in the winter when they are more structured, simple and free of logos,” says Lamb. “The hat should be fairly low-key and preferably in the same colour as the rest of your outfit.” Let’s forget the political statements, as well, yeah?

Sunglasses

Public service announcement: there’s nothing seasonal about UV damage. Which means, despite the fact that sun-drenched days are as rare as hen’s teeth in winter, when the clouds part, the rays still burn.

Your eyes, like your skin, are vulnerable to damage year-round, with extended exposure known to cause macular degeneration and cataracts. So don’t stow away your shades with your shorts.

“I’d go for lenses with a lighter see-through tint, as opposed heavy blacked-out lenses,” says Fabio Ribeiro, manager of London opticians General Eyewear. “This creates a look which feels fresh in the winter, and looking through these tinted frames also lightens everything up and helps with SAD (seasonal affective disorder).”

What’s more, a quality pair of sunglasses won’t just protect your corneas, they’ll delay those crow’s feet too – forming a barrier between your skin and signs of premature ageing. Plus, and perhaps most importantly, they’re cool AF. Just don’t wear them indoors.

A Breton Top

Autumn’s onset might mean sailing city streets rather than clear blue seas, but that shouldn’t mean putting Breton shirts on the plank.

Timeless and versatile, the Breton top’s simplicity makes it virtually seasonless, so while, sure, it looks great sipping a negroni on a beach, it’s just at home with a pint of beer in the depths of winter.

Bonus: it works with everything else in your wardrobe. “Go low-key with a Breton top, chinos or cords and clean trainers, or take a smarter tack by teaming with a wool blazer, trousers and smart shoes,” says Gove.

White Jeans

Along with the wardrobe classics, putting paid to the sartorial swindle that is seasons also makes investing in trending pieces all the more justifiable. Getting wear out of a pair of white jeans beyond the high-summer months, for example, sees their cost-per-wear ratio rocket.

They lend a pleasing colour contrast to the traditional winter palette of black, navy, olive, grey and brown, so deploy them as you would indigo denim, with everything from leather jackets to pea coats and overcoats.

Trying to keep them pristine, however, is like pushing rope up a hill, says Nicolas Payne-Baader, who has styled shoots for the likes of Jocks & Nerds. Instead, Baader recommends letting them get as dirty and battered as you like, giving them a “rugged off-hand appeal”.

Loafers

Perhaps it’s the loafer’s association with bare ankles that’s seen it branded a fair-weather footwear option, but it’s autumn that the shoe is really made for.

Just look at the way it’s built: lightweight, yet sturdy – the ultimate between-season shoe, offering warmth (not to mention the ability to withstand showers), without the heft of a stacked sole Derby or winter boot.

Material is the deciding factor in determining just how autumn-appropriate your loafers are; a high-summer pair made from suede should sit this one out, but leather? They’ll do nicely.

Socks are the difference between a look that’s unexpected, and one that’s unacceptable. Tempted as you might be to stay true to the Pitti Uomo aesthetic, swerve it once summer’s gone.

[hairterminator]

http://blog.hair-terminator.com/charming-outlook/7-coats-that-will-stand-the-test-of-time/

7 Coats That Will Stand The Test Of Time

A coat is one of the few items that you, your mum, and the general public all agree it’s worth spending good money on. The general rule of thumb is that you should buy one coat per year, which will see you through autumn and winter. (Note we said coat, not jacket, you can buy as many of those as

A coat is one of the few items that you, your mum, and the general public all agree it’s worth spending good money on. The general rule of thumb is that you should buy one coat per year, which will see you through autumn and winter. (Note we said coat, not jacket, you can buy as many of those as you like.) The logic goes: pick one coat and spend a bit more to avoid wearing something that looks like outerwear but performs like paper when pitted against the elements.

It’s not just quality you need to consider, though – longevity is important too. While a bold yellow puffa might give street style photographers RSI at men’s fashion week, it will date, fast. If you don’t want to be limited to a couple of seasons’ worth of wear, you need to be a grown-up and swerve the shiny, trend-led designs for something a bit more classic.

Not sure which styles will age like fine wine and which will age like a bad curry? That’s where we come in. We’ve rounded up seven timeless coats that no man should be without. Wrap up.

The Peacoat

The peacoat is one of those jackets that quietly makes men more stylish without shouting too loud about it. Worn successfully by everyone from Prince George to Prince (yes, that one), it’s a style that works on everyone, which is why it’s gone viral and stayed viral since it first appeared way back in the 1800s.

What’s the secret to its enduring success? Like most menswear classics, it’s versatile. “A peacoat works worn over a suit for that Mad Men/Goodfellas vibe and looks especially great accessorised with a cashmere scarf,” says celebrity stylist Alex Longmore.

It’s not just the nine-to-five you roll out the peacoat for, though – it’s not averse to letting loose on the weekend. “It’s very versatile, so can be worn with jeans and a polo neck to smarten up off-duty looks,” says Longmore. You could even use it to top some tailored joggers and a sweater for an easy and relaxed outfit you could put together on the worst hangover. Give peas a chance.

The Waxed Jacket

The waxed jacket has become sartorial shorthand for best of British style, and such is its appeal it can be happily worn by country toffs, city dwellers, your little sister and your grandad – which in the age of Brexit makes it one of the few things that the country can get united behind.

The style owes its success to being an inherently practical piece of kit. It’s not waxed for the fun of it – the technical coating ensures raindrops roll right off. “A wax jacket is versatile and tough enough to brave the great outdoors with knitwear yet equally suited to city wear – perfect for throwing over a suit when commuting to work,” says Ian Bergin, director of menswear and accessories for Barbour. The unassuming style works with everything from wool trousers to denim, knitwear to casual shirts, so reach for one whether you’re going for the landed gentry look or a laid-back streetwear vibe.

It’s seasonless too, Bergin adds. “Ideal for year-round use, a wax jacket can be combined with an optional quilted liner or knit when extra insulation is needed. It’s an item that travels through life and ages with you.” Heritage that gets more heritage-y with age. We approve.

The Rain Mac

Odds are your first experience with a rain mac was at school, when you were blissfully unaware of how lurid, shiny and primary in colour your outerwear was. Now that your mum’s not in charge of your wardrobe (we hope) you can slip into something a little less migraine inducing.

Unlike the rain macs from your formative years, grown-up versions have got seriously impressive style credentials in their DNA. The Guardian’s menswear editor Helen Seamons explains the style’s iconic appeal: “The rain mac is a fully paid up wardrobe icon, with hours of silver screen time providing some killer mood board moments for macs. You can easily channel legendary 1940s American actor Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca and belt up with aplomb,” she says.

Luckily, you don’t have to have a Hollywood budget to start this beautiful relationship, either. “Bogart’s trench was by Burberry, who still make the best rain macs, but the high street always has reliable, wallet-friendly versions.”

Rain coats in staple shades like navy and black are the most versatile, but classic beige or modern khaki green options will bring a welcome point of difference to your wardrobe. Whichever colour you opt for, throw it on over everything from suiting to denim, but leave Bogie’s trilby on the tarmac.

The Camel Overcoat

Stating the obvious klaxon: every man who is no longer in his teens needs a camel coat. Why you ask? Well, there’s the fact that it’s both formal enough for the boardroom and has the ability to smarten up even the scruffiest of looks. Then there’s the point about not letting your wardrobe descend into darkness every winter.

This ability to inject colour into seasons dominated by black, grey and navy is something that’s not lost on River Island’s Style Studio & VIP relations manager, Giles Farnham. “A camel coat is a timeless classic that will steer you away from the dark side during autumn and winter,” he says.

Crucially, it’s the camel coat’s flattery which will get it everywhere: it works for any shade of man and with nearly every shade of clothing. “It’s a colour that pretty much all skin tones can wear and it will work well with staple colours [already in your wardrobe] like black and grey,” says Farnham. “Having said that, it will also complement brighter colours too.”

It gets better. The camel coat isn’t fussy about what type of clothing it’s recruited alongside, from button-ups to zip-ups, crew necks to roll necks. “Wear over a suit to keep it formal or with your new winter knitwear and jeans to make it the stand-out piece of a casual look.” A true wardrobe hero and all-round people pleaser.

The Duffle Coat

The frequency with which you’ll see men with a duffle coat on their back is roughly inversely proportional to their age. There’s no good reason for this though: can you ever remember looking bad or feeling cold in one of these horn buttoned beauties? Thought not. You don’t have to be four foot nothing to rock the playground classic: there are plenty of duffle coats from menswear designers that offer mature style that doesn’t date as the years pass. Just ask Paddington Bear, he’s been wearing his trusty duffle for a good half-century.

Paul Higgins, a stylist who has worked for brands such as Aquascutum and Reiss, explains the coat’s long affair with menswear: “The duffle was originally used in the military and for expeditions but it’s now a menswear staple and one of the only styles to be pretty much unchanged since its creation.” So, how did it go from war kit to street staple? “The duffle was a hit in the 1950s and 1960s, with a surge in usage due to artists and students having access to cheap ex-military coats.” Once it’s sartorial merits were fully appreciated, there was no looking back. Instant classic.

In truth, the duffle is easiest to wear when you’re in off-duty mode, though on occasion it will team well with a suit. If in doubt, it’s the prime winter coat to throw on with your weekend garms. “The duffle coat is a great winter piece which will pair handsomely with a thick woollen roll neck jumper, tweed trousers, heavy boots and check scarf for a clean look,” says Higgins. Winter walks never looked so stylish.

The Parka Jacket

Yes, the parka jacket may have retreated a little since its Britpop heyday, but it’s never really gone away and will likely, ahem, ‘Live Forever’. Here’s why: few other pieces of winter outerwear leave you feeling as fully weather-proofed. Whether you go long and fish-tailed or fur-lined and down-filled, its traditional zip and button double closure will keep winter on the outside.

The constant appeal of the parka jacket lies in the fact it can be pretty much worn by any man and made his own depending on what it’s teamed with. Topman buying director Rachel Morgans says, “The parka is a timeless winter piece that will remain in your wardrobe for years to come. This coat can be teamed with almost anything, from track pants right the way through to a smart cord trouser.”

So, while initially the mere mention of a parka jacket may induce involuntary renditions of ‘Wonderwall’, as long as you avoid the Madchester mullet hairdo, you’ll be at a comfortable distance from nineties cliche. Our tip? Try wearing one over your suit for a look that takes the staleness out of tailoring.

The Check Overcoat

A check or tweed coat might not sound like your type of thing on paper, but take the plunge and you’ll likely be surprised. Although these heritage wool coats might initially bring to mind the smell of mothballs and hard-boiled mints, designers are now producing the timeless style in a variety of contemporary cuts, so you can rock this classic like a modern-day Paul Newman.

Yes, a solid black or navy overcoat might be a more reliable option, but play it safe and you’ll miss out on crucial interest according to men’s stylist Suzie Street, who has dressed the likes of Tinie Tempah. She says: “Although a plain overcoat is low-risk, a check or tweed option brings an element of difference to any outfit.” You can tweak the level of volume you’re bringing, too. “If a bold check isn’t your thing, try a smaller herringbone or dogtooth for a slightly retro vibe.”

Whichever take on this heritage classic you go for, you won’t be short of things to wear it with it. Jeans and wool trousers are the obvious choices, as is knitwear, but if you want to riff on menswear’s current love of high-low outfit combinations, get physical. “With sportswear a prominent trend of late, try layering a smarter overcoat over a hoodie for an updated look or pair with a tracksuit pant for a sports luxe edge,” says Street.

[fashiontrendin-blog]

21 Trend-Proof Style Staples To Buy In Time For Spring

http://fashion-trendin.com/21-trend-proof-style-staples-to-buy-in-time-for-spring/

21 Trend-Proof Style Staples To Buy In Time For Spring

Most of us like to think we’ve got this getting dressed thing sussed. We’ve read the runway reports, swotted up on key fashion trends and even coughed up for a Cuban collar or two. Surely that’s enough to be inducted into club menswear?

Not quite. Given that a look is only as good as its weakest link, it’s equally as important to ensure you’re stocked up on the timeless staples that return year after year.

To save you from rummaging through the leftovers of more savvy shoppers, here are 21 always-in-style items to get you ahead of the herd before spring, well, springs.

Overshirt

Ideal for times when it’s neither too warm nor too cool (read: practically every outdoor event between now and June) an overshirt is one of the unsung heroes of menswear. Bought with a roomy but structured cut, it can be layered beneath outerwear now or be worn as your top layer when the intermittent sun makes it time to leave your jacket at home.

Oxford Shirt

The Oxford shirt has got all-rounder status written all over it. Capable of smartening up jeans in one outfit and dressing down sharp tailoring in the next; if you haven’t got one yet, look for a weighty fabric that’s cut slim and watch in amazement as nailing transitional style gets a whole lot easier.

White T-Shirt

It may be hard to distinguish one plain white T-shirt from the next at first glance, but pull it onto your torso and the difference becomes immediately clear. When stocking up on this most basic of basics, look for a snug (but not too snug) fit with sleeves that hit around the halfway point on your upper arm and, if your budget allows, opt for soft Supima cotton.

Grey Sweatshirt

No harm could ever come from owning a classic sweatshirt in every shade. But in the interest of time and money, we’re putting all our eggs firmly in the basket of the original sportswear staple. A grey marl version cut from soft loopback cotton-jersey scores big, particularly when worn with a pair of sand chinos for ultimate Paul Newman vibes.

Knitted Polo Shirt

Don’t let lads on tour have all the fun. A polo shirt, if approached the right way (chiefly without a stupid nickname stamped on the back and the collar down), can be one of the most perennially stylish items in a man’s wardrobe. For a slice of modern-day Dickie Greenleaf, go long-sleeved, logo-free and choose an open collar without buttons. More peak Riviera, less troublesome tourist.

Chinos

Most guys think of chinos as the kind of seasonless wardrobe addition you can make with your eyes closed. But the reality is that the gulf between bad chinos and good chinos is big. Very, very big. Aim for slim, unfussy styles which are sharply tailored and end at your ankle: it’s the difference between looking like smart-casual Ryan Gosling and smart-casual Jeremy Clarkson.

Mid-Wash Denim

It’s easy to fall into the trap of wearing dark raw denim year-round, given that it’s almost never out of style. To give the prince of darkness thing a rest for spring, try a mid-wash pair. Granted, they may not be able to masquerade as formal trousers in the workplace, but they’ll look pretty sweet when cosied up against spring’s shades of pastels and whites.

Light Tailored Trousers

Assuming you’re not a ‘freelance creative’ who spends his days working from home in nothing but underwear, chances are you’ve already got a handful of dark tailored trousers at your disposal for the working week. What you perhaps don’t have (but should) are a few lighter pairs – think pale grey or stone, which won’t make your legs feel like they’re trapped in a trousery furnace.

Unstructured Blazer

There are guys who just ‘get’ tailoring, and there are those who don’t. The unstructured blazer is pretty much the one piece of tailoring that can unite all men thanks to its softer shape and less rigid styling rules. You’ll get your money’s worth out of one, too: dress it up for work with separates or wear with a grandad shirt and jeans for evening smart-casual styling.

Denim Jacket

The denim jacket’s greatest asset is its ability to slot seamlessly into your existing menswear roster. While it’s still brisk out, master advanced-level layering by slipping one beneath an overcoat, then riff on nineties styling by wearing it over a T-shirt and darker jeans in spring. Opt for a classic design with minimal embellishments, and you’ve got a friend for life.

Field Jacket

While trends come and go, no matter the season (or year) you can always bet good money on military menswear. Unlike brass-buttoned peacoats that are still a little too indie rocker circa 2007, a field jacket has a knack for always feeling current and will play nice with as many or as few layers as you need.

Harrington Jacket

Make no bones about it, the Harrington jacket is one of menswear’s greatest ever players. The key to its timeless style lies in the fact that it’s simple, unfussy and (shock) particularly good at keeping cold breezes at bay. Even if you tire of yours in a few seasons (though we doubt you will) you can always pick back up where you left off years down the line.

Chukka Boots

In a world of strait-laced shoes and chilled-out trainers, chukka boots happily occupy the middle ground. Being neither too dressy or informal, a trustier footwear companion you couldn’t find. You’ll need to wear them with jeans or chinos now, but when (or rather, if) things hot up, they’ll look equally handsome with a pair of shorts.

Leather Penny Loafers

If there was ever a piece that sums up iconic preppy style, it’s the penny loafer. Of course, with spring comes showers, so whether you recruit a pair for a high-low look alongside jeans and a logo T-shirt, or to foot tailored separates, sidestep suede in favour of durable leather.

White Sneakers

White sneakers often go from box-fresh to a bit grubby to a bloody mess over time. Like a fractured relationship, it’s easy not to notice things have gone awry until it’s way too late. Whether you go iconic with Stan Smiths, sporty with Reebok Classics or fancy yourself as a stealth wealth Common Projects kind of guy, make sure yours are always fresher than wet paint.

Nato Strap Watch

Modelled after the robust styles used by the British military, a Nato fabric strap is the obvious choice when shopping for a hardy timepiece. Go woven with your wristwear for spring and not only will you climb the style ranks, you’ll also avoid the sweaty wrist that comes from leather and steel come summer.

Leather Holdall

There are few ways to cart your kit from work to a weekend away that are more stylish than a classic leather holdall. Invest in a sleek design now (black or brown is best) and you will look the business, even if you’re not flying business.

Baseball Cap

The days of the baseball cap being a signifier of the slovenly are well and truly over. Menswear-approved designs rendered in tactile fabrics have smartened up this sports-inspired head topper, and the results are impressive. Looks aside, they’ll also stop you forcibly squinting at the sun on days when you forget your sunglasses. Win-win.

Casual Belt

When it comes to style, anything that aids an easy life gets an enthusiastic thumbs up from us. Therefore, buckle up in a casual belt this spring. Bought in black, brown or navy, they are smart enough to wear with a grandad shirt and chinos in business-casual offices, and won’t give your jeans the gaudy buckle treatment on the weekend. If you want to get all of the feels, choose a woven or plaited design.

Slim Cardholder

Between contactless cards and smartwatches, it’s not hard to see physical money going the way of the dodo. Stop lugging around a beast of a wallet stuffed with receipts and drag yourself into the 21st century (while keeping the lines of your trousers intact) with a slim cardholder.

Sunglasses

For what are essentially small (but often perfectly formed) bits of plastic and metal joined together, sunglasses are pretty pricey. To get favourable cost-per-wear calculations, don’t wait until summer to invest through fear of looking like a poser. Your eyes (and your wallet) will thank you.